Band 4 Community Support Worker – Bristol

Job overview

Do you bring passion and commitment to delivering high quality care? Do you have experience working with people with a Learning Disability and or Autism? If so, this role will provide you with a rare and exciting opportunity.

Avon and Wiltshire Partnership (AWP) are seeking to recruit individuals dedicated to the community support of people with Learning Disabilities and or Autism that are at risk of hospital admission due to mental ill health.

The Kingfisher Outreach Team is an initiative that will provide specialist advice and support to patients and their care network.

Working as an integral member of the clinical team you will support the implementation of strategies that reduce likelihood of inpatient admission and provide time limited post-discharge follow-up to facilitate the persons return to the community from hospital when admission has been required.

Applicants will demonstrate, through application form and interview, at least two years of relevant experience (Learning Disability/Autism/Mental Health) excellent verbal, non-verbal and written communication skills and an ability to work flexibly to meet the needs of the service. Driving licence and access to own transport is essential for this role.

• Right to Work in the UK This position is not eligible for Skilled Worker visa sponsorship. Applicants must already hold the legal right to work in the UK at the time of application, as the organisation is unable to support sponsorship for this post.

Main duties of the job

The principal purpose of the job is to provide high levels of support to individuals (and their networks of support) with Learning Disabilities and/or Autism who are at risk of admission to The Kingfisher Acute Psychiatric Inpatient Services and to also support effective discharge following an inpatient stay. This will be achieved by:

• Active involvement in the delivery of high quality, safe and compassionate services as an effective member of the multi-disciplinary team.
• Implementing and monitoring the implementation of specific assessment, review and care packages to individuals and groups within standard protocols, integrated care pathways and recovery principles.
• Providing evidence-based advice and consultancy to people who use the services, family members/ carers within standard protocols for care co-ordination/care management.
• Organising and managing a defined caseload under guidance and work as lone workers where appropriate. The post holder will be accountable for their own actions within the delivery of this care.
• Seeking advice and expertise of a registered practitioner when required through regular managerial and clinical supervision in accordance with Trust policy.

For more details please see attached Job Description

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Communication and Working Relationships:

• To communicate in a skilled and respectful manner with clients, families and carers who may have specific difficulties in understanding and/or communicating and who may be distressed/present with complex behaviour.
• To participate in clinical and core group meetings and to work collaboratively with other colleagues in the multi-disciplinary team.
• To maintain appropriate professional boundaries whilst recognising abilities and limitations of own competence.
• To communicate complex and sensitive condition related information concerning the assessment, treatment and risk factors in relation to a range of mental and physical health difficulties.
• To always establish and maintain clear and professional relationships with others.
• To liaise and work collaboratively with a range of other professionals in statutory and non-statutory organisations agencies.
• Provide a high standard of written and verbal communication that is clear and in line with Trust documentation standards.

Analysis and Judgement:

• Recognise own clinical competencies, knowledge base and experience, and ensure that you practice within this, acting as a positive role model, and seek support as required.
• To make informed and well-reasoned decisions, recognising when to seek further advice from a registered practitioner.
• Undertake observation, data gathering and risk assessments to determine the appropriate course of action, which has taken into consideration a range of possible options. Where necessary, ensure that consultation with senior colleagues is undertaken.
• Recognise and take action to deal with any situations which may provide a conflict of interest.

Planning and organisation:

• To organise, plan and prioritise own workload under guidance of a registered practitioner.
• To provide evidence-based advice, guidance and consultancy to service users, family members, carers and professionals within standard protocols.
• Planning, co-ordination and review of services including active reviews and reviews of placements as delegated by other registered practitioners.
• Organise clinical meetings and ensure that interventions/services are planned in an integrated and co-ordinated manner to best support the service users/carers, this may include liaison with external agencies.

Patient/Client Care, Treatment and Therapy:

• To always promote and uphold the privacy, dignity, rights, health and wellbeing of service users and their care givers including adherence to the Mental Capacity Act code of practice.
• Deliver specific care packages including assessing, planning, intervention and evaluation according to the Trusts standard protocols and maintain accountability for own actions within the delivery of this care.
• To comply with Trust policies and procedures and the Code of Conduct for Health Care Support Workers and Adult Social Care Workers in England.
• To implement a range of assessments and interventions relevant to people with learning disabilities and autistic people, consistent with a strength based, recovery approach and positive behaviour support planning to enable the individual and their Carers to be held central to their care and their involvement proactively encouraged.
• To support and advocate for patients enabling their active contribution to the Your Team Your Conversation Your Plan approach.
• Provide evidence based clinical advice in relation to the individuals in the care of the team.
• Ensure that appropriate action is taken for safeguarding adults and children under the guidance of a registered practitioner.
• Under the direction of and upon successful completion of any required additional training, can assist (in accordance with NMC delegated authority guidance) a registered nurse to ensure that recommended physical health and other monitoring requirements of mental health medication (in line with relevant trust policy, standards and guidelines) is completed, recorded and if necessary escalated for further action.
• Under the direction of and upon successful completion of any required additional training, can assist (in accordance with NMC delegated authority guidance) a registered nurse and/or the individual in the administration of certain topical and oral medicines as per an individual’s care and treatment plan e.g. creams, eye drops, inhalers, assist in observing successful administration of medicines being administered covertly.
• Maintain up to date clinical records in a timely and accurate manner in accordance with Trust policy.

Policy Implementation:

• To follow Trust policy guidance in relation to your team and role and to comment on proposed policy changes and service developments.
• Actively embrace change, respond positively to new priorities and challenges and look for opportunities for service development and improvement.
• To contribute to service development activities as required by line management to improve the quality of care offered by the team.
• To contribute to any relevant Research and Development activities as undertaken within the team.

Finance, Equipment and Resources:

• Responsible for the safe use of any relevant equipment/resources in line with Trust Policy.
• Responsibility for the handling of monies, medication and individual’s valuables if deemed necessary under the indirect supervision of a registered practitioner.
• Responsible for the ordering of supplies/equipment as necessary under the indirect supervision of a registered practitioner.

For more details please see attached Job Description.

Applicant requirements

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.