About Autism Plus
Autism Plus are a leading
Yorkshire Charity supporting adults and young people with autism, learning disabilities, mental health conditions and complex needs. In 1986 the Charity was created by a group of parents looking for the very best support for their children who were about to leave a specialist school. Once they reached the age of 17, they found there was little or no support. The belief set by our founding parents, to empower more people to live independent, fulfilling lives remains our focus today.We employ over 350 people across the north of England in care support services, employment support and social enterprise businesses. Key responsibilities To ensure that staff develop and sustain professional and trusting relationships with the people we support, and that staff promote their self-esteem, happiness, and emotional health. To ensure that staff encourage and support the people we support in expressing their needs, views, and concerns. To enable people, we support to make choices and decisions and to participate as fully as possible in planning and decision-making processes. To always promote Person Centred Planning and BILD. To ensure that staff respect and promote the rights and entitlements of people with learning disabilities, mental health, and autism and to enable them to participate as fully as possible in their communities. To ensure that service users are offered access to sources of independent advocacy and advice. To ensure that the service supports people we support in developing socially valued lifestyles which include a varied range of culturally and age-appropriate experiences, building on the strengths, interests, and aspirations of the people we support. To enable people to access social, leisure, work, and educational opportunities and to sustain an active programme of involvement in such activities. To promote a warm and positive approach to the friends and families of the people we support. To involve families and significant others in the planning of individual support, where this is in accordance with the people, we support preferences. To ensure that the people we support are enabled to become as independent as possible and to grow in confidence, competence, and personal effectiveness. To achieve this through the provision of practical assistance, support, teaching, advice, role modelling, encouragement, and positive feedback. To coach staff as a ‘practice leader’ in the use of appropriate strategies and interventions, as specified by the Person-Centred Plan and PBS plan, to support people who express their communication and needs through challenging behaviour. To act as an appropriate role model regarding issues around authority, personal conflict, and responsibility. To ensure that the people we support receive all necessary advice, care, and regular health checks to maintain their physical and emotional wellbeing. To promote nutrition, relaxation, exercise, and a healthy lifestyle. To ensure that medication is administered and recorded as prescribed. To organise safe procedures for the collection, storage, and administration of medication within Autism Plus guidelines. To observe and monitor the people we support emotional and physical wellbeing and to inform relevant staff and agencies of any concerns or significant changes in their needs, behaviour and circumstances adhering to the Mental Capacity Act and Autism Plus Safeguarding policy and procedure. To ensure that emergencies and incidents are responded to promptly and appropriately within Autism Plus policy and reporting procedures and to maintain the welfare and safety of the people we support [and staff] with due regard to accident reporting, risk assessment, due diligence, and the Health and Safety at Work Act. To ensure that staff carry out and record all financial transactions involving service users within agency guidelines. To ensure that the people we support are enabled to be as independent as possible in the management of their personal finances. To ensure that the specific needs of the people we support, who have additional problems, including physical health needs and disabilities, communication, and mental health needs, are fully identified, assessed, and fully responded to as appropriate. To ensure that all the people we support have Individual Support Plans and person-centred plans which are regularly reviewed and evaluated. To monitor the content, implementation, and effectiveness of plans. To ensure that all the people we support have a key worker and co-worker and to act as the nominated key worker as appropriate in line with BILD. STAFF MANAGEMENT To work in the homes, to be visible to staff ensuring privacy when dealing with confidential matters. To record staff rota hours, absences, and changes to working hours on Humanity, Workday, and the Main rota. To carry out Back to work interviews and identify the need to progress the outcomes to the next stage in line with Policy. To lead and manage staff to ensure that the highest levels of performance and standards of work are achieved, in line with PCP and CQC outcomes. To plan to meet the needs of service users as identified by their individual Person-Centred Plan by: Coordinating and deploying staff time in such a way as to ensure maximum efficiency and effectiveness in the use of staffing resources. Delegating tasks and responsibilities as appropriate and check that they are carried out Ensuring that all duties are carried out as prescribed and that quality standards are always met. Ensuring that all planned service user activities take place and that all individual programmes are followed. To co-ordinate and deploy staff resources as efficiently as possibly in relation to the needs of service users and the requirements of Autism Plus. To always observe safe working practices including reference to: Health and Safety regulations Lifting and Handling Fire procedure COSHH regulations Environmental Health requirements To ensure that all staff receive personal support, supervision, and appraisal. To take appropriate supportive and corrective action to ensure that performance difficulties are addressed effectively and reported to the Registered Manager for guidance and support. To ensure that staff training and development needs are identified and met. To participate in the planning and delivery of staff training and development activities. To coach, train and supervise staff. To organise and chair team meetings, ensuring a co-operative and cohesive team spirit and a culture of open and honest communication. Participate in always promoting a team approach. Be polite, courteous, and supportive to all team members. Be flexible in accordance with the needs of the weekly rota. Be available to cover leave (sickness, annual, etc). To cover the on call requirements in line with the coordinator’s rota. Assist in the induction of new staff. Work in accordance with training and agreed policies, practices and procedures. Participate in and contribute to staff meetings. Support colleagues in difficult or potentially difficult situations within the workplace. Ensure issues of concern are elevated to a more knowledgeable member of staff if the situation requires specific expertise. PERSON SPECIFICATIONQualifications Minimum NVQ Level 2 in Social Care Level 2 PBS training, or willingness to work towards within agreed timescaleEssential Skills/Experience Knowledge of staff management/supervision. Experience in a Care/Support role. Experience of working with individuals with mental health issues and challenging behaviour. Experience of implementing strategies for individuals who express their communication and needs through challenging behaviour. An interest in people and a commitment to helping others. The ability to communicate clearly and sensitively with vulnerable people and their families. Good listening skills. An empathetic approach. The ability to gain the trust of individuals and their families and to build good relationships with vulnerable people. The ability to carry out practical and domestic duties. An organised, efficient, and flexible approach The ability to work independently and as part of a team. A high level of patience and emotional resilience. A non-judgmental attitude regardless of the individual’s needs or situation Good written and oral communication skills, including the ability to adapt communication to the audience. Ability to deal with budgets and handle monies. Good IT skills including Outlook and Microsoft Word A respect for client confidentiality Driving licence and access to a vehicle is preferred but can be discussed. What we offer: Refer a friend scheme Payment of up to £250 for a referred friend being successful for a role and passing their probation period 20% staff discount to use within the Social Enterprise Chocolate Factory Blue light discount card Access to join the BUPA Health Cash Plan Scheme which offers cash back on health expenses Access to Colleague Assistance Helpline 24/7 Fully funded DBS to the required level for the role Induction Training for the role The application process is simple and involves a short application form with a CV upload. If this role is something that interests you, and you feel you could make a real difference, we would love to hear from you!As a disability organisation we are keen to ensure support is available at all stages for those that require this. If you have a disability and/or health condition and require any reasonable adjustments for the application/recruitment process please contact the HR team to discuss how we can support you (Email: hr@autismplus.co.uk , or Telephone: 01143 840300)
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