Re Social Care Workers - Job Ref PEARSDSCW02

Thanks for your interest in the above position and for working with us to make every day better for everyone affected by sight loss.

Our application pack consists of: an application form a job description and person specification our values and behaviours an equal opportunities monitoring form

If you’d like this pack in large print, braille, or audio CD, just let us know.If you’ve a disability and want help in filling in the form then please contact me at least three days before the closing date and we’ll be glad to help you.

We only accept CVs from applicants whose disability makes it difficult to complete an application form. All applicants however need to address the specific information we have asked for in the job advert.

Please read the guidance notes on the careers page of our website before filling in the application form as you may find this helpful when completing the form. You can find this at rnib.org.uk/jobs

If you’re able to, please complete and return your application form and the equal opportunities monitoring form by email to resourcing@rnib.org.uk .

Logo – RNIB supporting blind and partially sighted peopleRegistered charity number 226227

However we’ll accept braille, audio, USB, typed and handwritten applications sent to HR Administrator, RNIB, Human Resources, 105 Judd Street, London WC1H 9NE.

We want to ensure as much of our resources as possible go towards supporting people with sight loss and therefore we don’t normally contact unsuccessful applicants individually.

If you’ve not heard from us within three weeks of the closing date, please assume your application has been unsuccessful on this occasion. However, we’d encourage you to apply for other suitable roles in the future.

Once again, thanks for your interest in this vacancy and for working with the Royal National Institute of Blind People.

Rupert GarveyAssistant HR Business Partner (Resourcing)Rupert.garvey@rnib.org.uk0207 391 2257

RNIB Job description Recognising and Responding to Child Protection Concerns

1 Policy Statement

1.1 RNIB believes that the welfare of children is paramount, and that they have the right to be protected from abuse regardless of gender, ethnicity, disability, sexuality or beliefs.

1.2 This policy applies to all Employees, RNIB Group Volunteers, Trustees and Governors of RNIB.

1.3 Any behaviour that is deemed to put children as either suffering, or likely to suffer significant harm as a result of abuse or neglect at will not be tolerated and action will be taken immediately, with referral if necessary to the appropriate statutory agencies - the Police and Social Services. If the incident involves an employee internal action as outlined in the Disciplinary Policy (Policy 8b) may be taken as well.

1.4 All Employees, RNIB Group Volunteers, Trustees and Governors of RNIB will receive induction training to provide them with the basic skills and knowledge required to ensure that they are able to safeguard and promote the welfare of children, by implementing these procedures. More in-depth training will be provided to all those who work directly or have direct contact with children.

1.5 Training will be updated yearly and the Principle Safeguarding and Quality Manager will agree and monitor the content and frequency of all training delivered.

1.6 All Employees, RNIB Group Volunteers, Trustees and Governors of RNIB who are intending to be involved in the recruitment process must attend RNIB recruitment and selection training and refer to the Recruitment & Selection Policy (Policy 1) to ensure that safe procedures are followed before appointments are made.

1.7 This policy and procedural guidance will be reviewed yearly as a standard and more frequently if necessary. Once reviewed and amended it will be approved and endorsed by the RNIB Group Board of Trustees.

1.8 This policy will underpin and sit alongside any additional local policies and procedural guidance, as well as the RNIB Safeguarding Policy and Procedures, which will be clearly cross-referenced to procedural arrangements set down by the Local Safeguarding Children Board.

Frequently asked questions

1. What are the hours of the job?We provide a service 52 weeks of the year, 24/7.Full time - (36 hours per week) is a shift pattern consisting of early's (7am to 2.30 or 4pm) and late's (1.30pm to 10pm) Monday to Sunday with 2 days off each week. This is a rolling 3 week roster. It does include working weekends and bank holidays (including Christmas day). You will have 1 weekend off in 3, so you would work 2 weekends and then have 1 off.

The Team leader sets your roster.

2. Can I choose my shift pattern and hours?No, these are pre-determined to meet the needs of the children and young people.

3. What is the salary?£15,550 per annum for full time. Care staff can achieve performance related pay increments.

4. What does the work involve?Based within the Children's Home, you will work as a member of a team to provide personal and social care support for children and young people with sight loss and multiple complex needs in their home.

You will work to the high standard expected by RNIB and legislative requirements. You will follow the young people's individual care plans to enable them to lead full lives and develop their independence towards adulthood.Further information about RNIB Pears Centre can be found at www.rnib.org.uk/pearscentre

You must be able to provide a high level of supervision and care support to vulnerable young people. You need to have good awareness and be able to plan ahead.

5. What sort of disabilities do the young people have?The young people are all blind or partially sighted and have disabilities which include severe learning disability, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, developmental delay, autism, anxiety and limited communication skills. Some young people behave in ways which can be very challenging, including harming themselves or others. Some young people are wheelchair users and require adult support to complete all daily living tasks.

6. Is it one to one caring?You will be part of a team, but after training you will also be supporting young people on a one to one basis within their home. This will include meeting all of their individual intimate care needs such as having a bath and using the toilet, helping them to eat and drink, administering their medication, accessing the community, supporting them with positive behaviour management techniques and developing their social and communication skills. You will be based in one bungalow with a group of young people, but may need to work in another area of the Children's Home to meet the needs of the service as a whole.

7. Would it be possible to look round the site?If you are successful at interview, you will need to come and visit the Children's Home and have a look around. It can be very challenging working within the Children's Home, so you need to understand about the work you will be involved in and the young people you will support.

8. What experience or qualifications do I need to start the job?

Experience is not essential and you do not need qualifications to join us as we will help you achieve these. Full training will be given. You will be expected to start your Diploma Level 3 in Caring for Children and Young People training after your 6 month probation period is completed. You need to demonstrate that you have the right transferable skills to meet the demands of the job.

9. What is the annual leave entitlement?25 days annual leave plus public / bank holidays. An additional day's annual leave will be granted on the anniversary of your start date, to a maximum of 27 days annual leave per annum

10. Is there an age limit?Yes, in line with national minimum care standards staff must be 4 years older than our oldest child, which is 18, so staff must be a minimum age of 22.

11. Further detailsAhead of applying for this role we would advise that you read our Statement of Purpose, which provides more details regarding Pears Centre along with our key aims and goals. This can be found on an additional web link to the job advert on the RNIB website.

For an informal chat to discuss any aspect of the role in more detail please contact Melanie Gibson, Administrator (Children's Home), on 02476 369553 or melanie.gibson@rnib.org.uk

RNIB Job descriptionJob title: Social Care Worker

Job level cluster: Support / Delivery

Job level: S1

Group: RNIB Places

Section: Education and Social Care

Planning unit: Children's Home

Location: Coventry

Reports to: Team Leader / Deputy Team Leader

Vacancy ref: PEARSDSCW02

Purpose of job Based within the Children's Home, you will work as a member of a team to provide personal and social care support for children and young people with sight loss and multiple complex needs in their home.

You will work to the high standard expected by RNIB and legislative requirements. You will follow the young people's individual care plans to enable them to lead full lives and develop their independence towards adulthood.

Impact:No line management responsibility

Financial responsibility:No budget responsibility

Decision making responsibility:Understands organisational practice and requirements relating to own work area and uses this to improve outcomes

Main accountabilities

1. Working as a member of a team, maintain the needs and welfare of the young people as the main focus of the job.

2. Practice according to policy and procedure, according to legislative regulation and requirement, whilst maintaining confidentiality as appropriate.

3. Support the Team Leader and Deputy Team Leader with the key working process for the young people in your care, taking specific responsibility for identified areas of this work.

4. Help maintain a homely environment and happy relaxed atmosphere within the home, ensuring that the young people have support to access age appropriate activities.

5. Assist young people with their daily care needs, maintaining their dignity at all times, carrying out their individual development programmes and when required supporting therapy programmes.

6. Help the young people to develop to the best of their individual abilities ensuring that they maintain good contact with their families and other relevant people.

7. Assist the young people in selecting a wide range of choices around mealtimes, leisure activities and clothing.

8. Ensure highest standards of safety, hygiene and cleanliness at all times.

9. Ensure the cultural and religious needs of the young people are met.

10. Administer medication and carry out medical procedures, after completing appropriate training and being deemed competent to do so by healthcare professionals.

11. Contribute to the writing of reports as required. Attend relevant internal and external meetings as necessary; maintain a professional relationship across the site and with local authorities and other external agencies.

12. Follow an intensive training programme and attend training sessions when required. This will include Level 3 Children and Young People's Workforce Diploma.

13. Support and help in the development of links outside

the Home, including local clubs and organisations in the community. Take part in and support the young people with holidays away from the Children's Home.

14. Report matters of concern immediately to the Senior Care Management Team. Any safeguarding concerns must be reported to a designated member of the safeguarding team.

15. Advanced social care workers will be responsible for supporting their deputy team leader with operational duties.

16. Carry out any other reasonable tasks, as may be required by senior management, from time to time.

17. To adhere to all RNIB policies and procedures

Person specification

All criteria are essential unless otherwise stated.

18. Specialist knowledge, skills and experience

1.1 Experience of working or taking part effectively within a team, but able to work on own initiative where necessary and appropriate.

1.2 Experience of working to policy and procedure and understanding of working confidentially.

Desirable

1.3 Knowledge or experience of working with young people.

1.4 A qualification in childcare.

19. Problem solving and creative skills

2.1 Able to remain calm and self-controlled under pressure.

2.2 Physically capable of supporting profoundly disabled children and young people to meet all of their personal care and social needs.

2.3 Be able to take responsibility for own actions.

2.4 Contribute to decision making where appropriate.

2.5 Demonstrate willingness to commit to professional learning and development and competence assessment.

20. Communication

3.1 Able to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing, adapting style to suit the audience, and giving appropriate information only.

3.2 Able to read and write English to a satisfactory standard, in order to complete essential written records for the young people and communicate with them verbally, as well as colleagues.

21. Equal opportunities Ability to understand and demonstrate commitment to RNIB’s Equal Opportunities Policy and to ensure all activities are consistent with the Equal Opportunities Policy. This includes all staff activities and their interface with the general public.

22. Special conditions

5.1 Appointment is subject to an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Services Check for regaulted activity

5.2 Willing to learn or able to use a computer

5.3 Hours for this role are 36 per week. A 3 week rolling roster (covering all 7 days in a week), including working 2 weekends in 3 and bank holidays. Combination of early and late shifts.

5.4 In line with Standard 17.11 of the National Minimum Care Standards we are required legally to employ people that are no less than four years older than our oldest child. This is currently 18 and so any applicants must be 22 or over.

Behaviours

Deliver results Shows Commitment to continuous personal learning

and development which supports the delivery of outstanding service.

Engage customers Prepared to go the extra mile to exceed customer

expectations.

Engage others Ability to build and sustain strong support relationships

with colleagues and customers and others which engenders trust and respect and contributes to team and organisation’s profile and reputation.

Set direction Demonstrates awareness of commercial and financial

considerations. Ability to identify opportunities for innovation and

creativity which contribute to team’s goals and continued success.

Cooperates and is open to possibilities of change, responds positively to change and considers ways to implement and adapt to change.

Lead and inspire Shows willingness to take responsibility for own action. Able to remain calm and focused under pressure. Displays resilience and takes a rational approach.

Personal impact Experience of communicating clearly, concisely,

accurately and appropriate to the audience.