Job Description

Description

You will support the occupational therapist and other college staff to manage the general personal care needs of students' on a daily basis.



Hours: 09:00 to 15:00

Contract: Permanent, term time only,

Weeks: 45.2 weeks, including Bank Holidays and annual leave

Key Responsibilities

Promote the values, aims and ethos of the College both within their role as a Personal care Assistant and within the corporate life of the College. Have an awareness / experience of working with individuals with learning disabilities / difficulties, autism, physical disabilities, mental health needs and visual impairment. Support students' to manage their personal care needs. This includes assisting with the toileting and hygiene needs of students with a range of complex physical needs; many of which require moving and handling techniques for example using hoists and other transfer equipment. This role is of a physical nature and involves various people handling techniques, this role can be physically strenuous at times*.
A willingness to support the students to work towards independence in appropriate areas of their personal care; under the guidance of the occupational therapist Work with the occupational therapy physical team to maintain high standards of infection control, including: hand washing, universal hygiene procedures, appropriate disposal of waste materials, dealing with bodily fluid spillages and assisting students and colleagues in adopting sound infection control measures. Undertake any relevant training to support your role and be responsible for maintaining your own professional development. Undertake tasks relevant to maintaining good standards of care, such as stocking the personal care rooms, equipment checks and cleaning tasks in line with infection control requirements. Communicate effectively with students, team members, carers, families and healthcare professionals. Work with colleagues to offer a personal care service that meets the needs of the students. Input information onto Databridge as required and maintain accurate, professional written and electronic records in line with GDPR. Participate in staff training and be responsible for your own professional development. Attend regular team meetings and other college meetings as required. Demonstrate a good understanding of equality and diversity and encourage students to be involved in their care, respecting their physical, emotional and social needs. Become familiar with all emergency procedures and with policies, protocols and procedures pertaining to personal care, academic and residential activities, including Health and Safety, Student Complaints, Safeguarding etc. Work under supervision from the occupational therapist to provide a high quality service measured against national standards. Have an awareness of Ofsted and CQC regulations with regards to Specialist Colleges. Work effectively as both part of a team and on your own initiative and ensure that the needs of the students are at the centre of all you do. Perform such other duties commensurate with the status of the post as the Principal shall from time to time decide.
Please note that this job description is correct at the date of issue. It should be recognised that, in keeping with organisational changes and development, it may be necessary to review the duties listed and change them to meet organisational objectives. QAC complies with safeguarding guidelines and all appointees are required to have a DBS check and two references.

Safeguarding Statement:

Queen Alexandra College is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Safeguarding is everyone's responsibility and all staff and volunteers are required to act in such a way that at all times safeguards the health and wellbeing of our students/clients. Successful applicants will be subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check and two employment references.

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

Basic standard of education including Maths and English (GCSE or equivalent)




Willingness to undertake training as appropriate




Ability to communicate effectively, and demonstrate excellent communication skills: verbal, listening & written, with a wide range of individuals including, students, their family and other professionals.



Participate in the provision of support and training to staff and students with regards to personal care needs and interventions.




Have an awareness of Ofsted and CQC standards.




Basic IT knowledge.



Ability to communicate effectively, and demonstrate excellent communication skills: verbal, listening & written, with a wide range of individuals including, students, their family and other professionals.




Be able to demonstrate an understanding of the concept of confidentiality




Self-awareness in terms of assessing own knowledge and competence and understanding your own boundaries




Able to solve basic problems




Self-awareness in terms of recognising the impact of your behaviour and other people's behaviour




Experience of working with people with learning disabilities, autism, physical disabilities and mental health conditions.




Enthusiastic.




Gets on well with people.




Team player.




Works well under pressure




Copes with conflict.



Ability to follow clear instructions and give feedback to senior staff




Able to work with little supervision, with a requirement to lone work at times.




Good attendance record.




Punctual.




Adaptable to change.



Willingness to develop further personally and professionally



Undertake any relevant training to support the role and be responsible for your professional development.



Highly motivated Good attendance and punctuality record

MUST BE PHYSICALLY WELL ENOUGH TO CARRY OUT MANUAL HANDLING TECHNIQUES THROUGHOUT THE DAY. This does not require any individual to solely lift another person and to bear their weight; specialist equipment is always used. However this does require the candidate to be able to demonstrate the physical ability to assist students with physical impairments to stand and transfer to and from their wheelchair. In some instances, partial weight bearing may be endured. Specialist training will be provided for all successful applicants.

Why work at Queen Alexandra Charity Birmingham

Join our team at Queen Alexandra College!

Are you passionate about making a difference to the lives of students with special educational needs? Do you thrive in an inclusive and supportive academic environment? If so, we want YOU to join our team. QAC has just gone through an exciting rebrand, dealt with a period of swift growth and academic improvement and this is your opportunity to become part of a vibrant College that is moving forward and making a real difference to the lives and futures of our students.

The newly structured Queen Alexandra Charity Birmingham offers you the chance to have a positive impact as you join a committed group of colleagues in ensuring that all students achieve their aims and aspirations. We are dedicated to providing exceptional education and support to students with diverse learning needs and life experiences. Our specialist setting fosters an inclusive community where every student is valued, supported, and empowered to reach their full potential.

QAC offers a vibrant, varied and enriching educational experience for both residential and day students. Our curriculum aims to maximise adult life, independence and work opportunities for all students. Class sizes are designed to meet specific needs and support levels are high.

Joining our supportive team, you will have the opportunity to:
Work closely with students with SEN to achieve their goals Make a difference to the educational experience of young people Be a voice for students and staff in specialist education Foster a positive and inclusive learning environment, promoting academic growth, self-development and self-confidence Develop your own skills, aspirations and progress your career.



Our benefits include;

Schedule 1 Benefits (reviewed annually and/or as appropriate)

Academic Year 2024/25

Access to on site car parking Use of QAC Fitness Centre (subject to opening hours) Cycle to Work Scheme (Salary Sacrifice) 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme Helpline (BHSF) Access to Education Support Free Helpline for Teachers & Education Staff QAC Mental Health First Aiders & activities to support health and wellbeing BHSF Benefits Package including Healthcare Plans, discounted shopping/services Annual Flu vaccination/voucher Access to other benefit/discount schemes (which may be subject to charge) e.g. Blue Light Card, TOTUM (NUS), Charity Worker Discounts, Discounts for Teachers Dell Advantage programme - a free programme that offers savings to students, parents and all staff at QAC - up to 20% off. https://www.dell.com/en-uk/lp/dell-advantage Health and Wellbeing Services (Occupational Health/Counselling) Free Tea/Coffee and Staff Room facilities Dining Room facilities with hot/cold food (free meal provided for those supporting students at mealtimes) Additional discretionary concessionary/closure days as part of leave entitlement (including closure over Christmas/New Year period) Reward and Recognition Policy - Living the Values Awards (team & individual) and long service Enhanced/Occupational paid leave e.g. maternity/paternity (subject to qualifying criteria) Occupational sick pay (based on length of service) On site wellbeing activities (e.g. yoga, meditation) Support for training/ CPD (either by way of study leave and/or funding) Flexible working arrangements including Flexible Working Policy Agreements, Time Off in Lieu (TOIL) in prior agreement with line manager.


This list is not exhaustive and may be subject to review and/or change.



We look forward to receiving your application and knowing more about your qualifications, skills,

personal qualities and experience that you would bring to the role and to QAC. Please take time to

review the job description above.



Please upload a CV/Resumewith details of your full employment history (since leaving school,
including education, employment and voluntary work) including reasons for any gaps in

employment. This should also include a statement of the personal qualities and experience you

believe are relevant to your suitability for the post and how this meets the job description and

person specification requirements. Your CV/Resumewill be re-produced in a standard format by
the system (without personal identifiers) to assist us in our anonymised shortlisting process.

Under Section 7 of SVGA 2006 it is an offence to apply for the role if the applicant is barred from

engaging in regulated activity relevant to children. The College's Safeguarding Policies are

available here



As part of our commitment to safer recruitment, and in line with updated guidance published in

September 2022, we will carry out an online search of all shortlisted candidates. This search may

enable us to identify any incidents or issues that have happened, and publicly available for review online, which we may wish to explore with you in further detail during the interview process. As part of your application we have asked you to provide the account names, usernames and/or handles for any social media platform that you use, as well as the names of any websites that you own, post on, or contribute to. A Google search will also be conducted. These checks will only be conducted if you are shortlisted for interview. Please see our safer recruitment and selection policy for further information.

About Queen Alexandra Charity

Queen Alexandra Charity (QAC) provides education, residential support, community services and enterprises in support of young adults with learning difficulties and disabilities.



Education is provided through a national residential College that supports a diverse range of student/client abilities and needs. Our College provides education, training, routes to independent living and employment through an innovative, holistic approach to learning and support. It offers a vibrant, varied and fun educational experience for both residential and day students. Our curriculum aims to maximise adult life, independence and work opportunities for all students. Class sizes are small and support levels high.



We have educational and learning sites based in Birmingham, one of Europe's most welcoming and vibrant cities, with a rich and diverse culture. Our main site is based in Harborne, a pleasant leafy Birmingham suburb, on a friendly and green 8-acre campus with excellent facilities and resources. In addition we also have Pinewood Campus which is located on a business park and is designated to employment progression.



Clients within our Residential Services programme still require support and the aim is to deliver a service that provides them with the means to live independently/semi independently into the future. Many clients are either in education, voluntary work or paid employment not linked to QAC directly.



Our Community Services based at our Umberslade Campus in Stirchley include a supporter worker service, women's group, men's group, LGBTQ plus group, Saturday Socials, The Night Owl Experience (disability friendly night club visit in Birmingham City Centre).

All students, clients and staff are supported within safe and well-resourced environments.



QAC makes a positive difference to the lives and learning of people with disabilities and learning difficulties. We have high expectations of staff, students and clients whilst being responsive, innovative and collaborative. Our Charity values drive how we work with students, clients, stakeholders and as a team.

We continue to attract and retain staff of the highest calibre, who are proud of QAC's achievements and who wish to be an integral part of ongoing and future successes.

As Leaders in Diversity which drives the culture at QAC and we warmly welcome applications from individuals who share our values, from all backgrounds, to add to our committed and diverse team.