Social Care Practitioner/Support Worker

Purpose of Position

To share with other staff in meeting the personal care and support needs of the people we support in a way that respects the dignity of the individual and promotes independence. Care provided by social care practitioners is expected to include care that would reasonably be given by members of the person we support own family and will not include tasks that would normally be undertaken by a trained nurse. Only when trained to do so would social care practitioners undertake any specialist tasks.

Principal Responsibilities

1. To assist the people, we support with all personal care needs including, undressing, washing, bathing and toileting needs.

2. To assist the people, we support with mobility problems and other physical disabilities, including incontinence and help in use and care of aids and personal equipment.

3. To support and care for the people we support who are dying.

4. To engage in the promotion of the mental and physical well-being of the people we support through talking to them, taking them out, sharing with them in activities such as reading, writing, hobbies and recreations.

5. To make and change beds and all domestic tasks within the household.

6. Where required, to assist with the people we support laundry, including using a laundrette where necessary.

7. To read and write reports and take part in staff and the people we support meetings and in training activities as directed.

8. To perform such other duties as may reasonably be required as outlined in the person we support care plan and ensure risks are monitored and managed by yourself and senior management.

9. To comply with the organisation’s policies and procedures always, which includes the people we support care plan and medication needs. Ensure you are fully aware of the policies and procedures set out by Utopia Social Care.

10. To report to senior Management any significant changes in the health or circumstances of a service user.

11. To encourage the people, we support to remain as independent as possible.

12. All staff are required to attend mandatory training where appropriate, this includes induction and social care diploma Qualifications or their equivalent.

13. To enable and assist the people we support to maintain on a day to day basis as much autonomy and independence as possible.

14. To support and assist the people we support in identifying risks and recording the support plan which minimises and manages the identified risk

15. To agree and record with the people we support their needs wishes and preferences and how these will be met.

16. Identify and support appropriately the people we support with capacity and those who lack capacity.

17. Record appropriately all decisions which relate to the people we support who lack capacity.

18. Involve and consult with the people we support, their families, representatives, or advocates to ensure that the service user’s views are expressed and acted upon.

19. Attend reviews of care as appropriate.

20. Update and continually improve practice by a mutually agreed method which may include attendance at staff meetings, learning support briefings and one-to-one supervision.

21. Take responsibility in conjunction with the line manager for identifying further learning.

22. Be aware of requirements regarding codes of practice and relevant codes of conduct where appropriate issued by professional bodies.

23. Understand the requirement of the New Fundamental Standards, in relation to the Care Quality Commission Inspect regime and its importance to your workplace practice.

24. Promote good practice and be vigilant in recognising and reporting practice that does not meet the defined standard.

25. To assist and contribute to any regulatory body inspection or monitoring visit.

26. To act always, to safeguard service users from any form of abuse and to report such concerns immediately.

27. To perform basic measurements in relation to a person we support physical measurements (Pulse, Temperature, Oxygen levels, Blood Pressure, Water sample testing) as trained

28. Ensure your lone working bag is with you at all calls and used appropriately

29. Support and mentor new social care practitioners into the business as part of their induction

30. Ensure up to date online and face to face learning is attended and completed as a mandatory requirement within your role.

Please Note: The above list is not exhaustive but should be used as a template of chosen tasks to form the required job description of a social care practitioner.