Support Practitioner - Short Breaks

Support Practitioner based in Oswestry, Shropshire offering a salary of up to £20,900 per annum. This position is continental Days and Nights, Fixed Term  Contract. 

Derwen College is an Ofsted “Outstanding” college. We support students with learning difficulties and disabilities to live the life they want and to be as independent as they can be. We work hard to develop the skills needed for employment and independent living - our aim is to recruit the best possible staff to deliver this first class experience to our students.

We are a Disability Confident employer and we offer a guaranteed interview scheme for suitable applicants.

We currently have an exciting opportunity for Support Practitioner's to join our Short Breaks team. 

The key role responsibilities of the Support Practitioner are:

• Contribute to creating an environment that focuses on the well being and quality of life of the people we support
• Take an active role in supporting our clients to develop their personal care and daily living skills in their accommodation and in the community according to their agreed care plan and in line with local authority assessments
• Work flexibly with our clients to attend appointments, access the local community and voluntary work
• Provide a Domiciliary Care service to our clients in the community
• Administer medication and promote development of self-medication skills if appropriate.
• Maintain accurate written documentation as defined by the Health & Social Care Act 2008
• Update individual and service daily records and participate in shift handover meetings
• Support clients to make choices about how to use their free time, promoting a healthy lifestyle, positive social integration and inclusion within client peer groups where appropriate
• Take on the role of key worker for identified clients and attend and contribute to client review meetings where appropriate
• Contribute to assessments of client’s Independence, monitor of progression and review of care plans.
• Provide pastoral support to our clients
• Liaise with families and key support services as part of a person centred approach and to ensure effective communication and partnership working
• Active involvement in team meetings, discussions and development of the service.
• Safeguarding awareness to ensure the welfare of adults at risk
• Follow the principles of Positive Behaviour Support (BILD) in delivering effective client support regarding behaviours of concern
• Collect relevant data regarding behaviour, including Antecedent Behaviour Consequence (ABC) charts, observations and incident reports and contribute to the production of PBS plans
• Attend Multidisciplinary Team Meetings
• Carry out general duties in residence
• Have a flexible approach to working with colleagues across college to provide support in other areas e.g. providing support to students
• Carry out all duties in line with Derwen policies and procedures in line with accepted best practice. To ensure that all records are maintained in a timely manner and to report any concerns or matters arising

Person Specification:

• Proven success of working within a similar role
• Excellent organisation skills
• Subject specific qualifications would be an advantage
• A caring, compassionate and empathic nature
• Outstanding communication skills with individuals/staff at all levels
• Highly motivated individual
• Competent in MS Office
• Strong written communication skills
• Knowledge of CQC framework and external quality standards

We can offer the right candidate a well-resourced and modern working environment, situated in a beautiful rural setting.  We have a fantastic array of employee benefits including on-site shopping and leisure facilities, College pension scheme, term time only working on request, recognition schemes, flexible working arrangements and extensive continual professional development opportunities.

The successful candidates will be expected to have a flexible approach to their hours of work and will be required to work a combination of days and evenings and at the weekend. 

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of young people and adults at risk and expect all employees and volunteers to share this commitment.