Job Description

Learning Disability Support Worker

Learning disability support workers are skilled and experienced professionals specialised in providing care and support to adults with learning disabilities, autism and mental health challenges. They use their knowledge and skills to prioritise people's needs, offer emotional support, and deliver person-centred care.

The learning disability support worker role depends on the unique needs and desires of the person they care for. They will be responsible for providing personal care and ensuring active engagement of the individual in the community. Additionally, a support worker helps people perform daily tasks such as cooking and cleaning, preparing meals, assisting with personal hygiene, and similar. A support worker focuses on helping people to live fulfilling lives and helps them make decisions independently.

Responsibilities and Duties of a Learning Disability Support Worker

A learning disability support worker plays a crucial role in enhancing the lives of individuals with learning disabilities by providing proactive care and support. Their responsibilities encompass a wide range of duties to promote independence, well-being, and social inclusion:

Develop and implement personalised care plans based on individual needs and aspirations. Assist with daily living activities such as personal hygiene, meal preparation, and medication management. Nurture a supportive and empathetic environment to address emotional and psychological needs. Encourage and engage individuals in activities that promote social interaction and personal development. Facilitate skill-building activities to enhance independence and self-confidence. Provide guidance and encouragement for individuals to learn and practice essential life skills. Maintain clear and open communication with individuals, their families, and healthcare professionals. Advocate for individuals to ensure their voices are heard and respected in decision-making processes. Ensure a safe and secure living environment, identifying and mitigating potential hazards. Monitor and address any health concerns, promptly reporting and collaborating with healthcare professionals when needed. Keep detailed and accurate records of care activities, progress, and any incidents. Provide regular updates to supervisors, families, and relevant stakeholders on the well-being and development of individuals. Stay informed about advancements in the field of learning disabilities and attend relevant training sessions. Continuously seek opportunities for professional growth to enhance the quality of care provided. Encourage and empower individuals to make choices and participate in decision-making processes. Support the transition towards greater independence and community integration.
In essence, the role of a learning disability support worker is built on compassion, adaptability, and a commitment to improving the lives of individuals with learning disabilities by providing holistic care and support.

Key Skills and Characteristics of a Support Worker

Many essential skills are required to be a great support worker, including empathy and a passion for making a difference. Learning disabilities jobs are among the most fulfilling jobs in support work.

Sometimes, supporting people with a learning disability can be challenging, so the job is suited to highly empathetic, compassionate and proactive people. It is also essential to have the ability to establish genuine and trusting relationships with people, and to create a safe space where they can feel heard, understood, and accepted.

The role of a learning disability support worker varies. To support people, individuals will need to be very flexible. They must be happy to do a job involving a wide range of responsibilities, including supporting people with personal care and communication skills.

Every person has unique needs, and in partnership with the person's family and network of support, support workers help to develop and deliver a person-centred plan. This often involves using community resources and finding groups and activities in the local area that the person being supported will benefit from. The person-centred plan should be focused on enabling the person being supported to live as independently as possible and to achieve their aspirations and goals.

LINKS LODGE - CARE LUXE

LEARNING DISABILITES SUPPORT WORKER - JOB SPECIFICATION

The post holder will work under the supervision of the Registered Manager to provide support to service users with Learning disability needs, and to maintain the service user in their environment. This support enables service users to achieve and maintain an optimum level of independence, whilst ensuring their health, safety and wellbeing.

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Be responsible for monitoring the service users' conditions and ensuring that any changes to the service users' mental, or physical health are communicated to the Manager. To keep clear legible records of the service users' progress within designated timescales. To keep clear legible records of actions taken on shift e.g., checks 1-1 support hours, medication handling. To promote activities and plan in-home events to aid social inclusion for service users. Maintain hygiene, cleanliness and upkeep of the service - both in and around the building - through daily cleaning and maintenance checks. To keep up to date with changes per service need and any updates on supported individuals through support plans, MDT meetings and professional involvement. To be able to produce regular reports on the service user's progress which can shared with secondary services. Have an awareness of how illness, medication and personality can affect an individual's behaviours and an understanding of significant indicators to report to the Manager. Help to identify early signs of decline by monitoring the service users' progress, level of functioning and mental state and alert the appropriate staff involved in the user's care. Ensure that service users engage effectively with the agreed Support Plan and access appropriate services provided on a regular and consistent basis. Undertake an enabling role with service users in daily tasks such as personal hygiene prompts, shopping support, budgeting support and household tasks, to promote independent living. The post holder will discuss and agree their workload with the manager at an appropriate frequency. To have responsibility as key worker for an allocated number of individual service users. This will include attending and actively participating in team meetings, planning and review meetings, and supervision as appropriate. Promote social inclusion by introducing service users to leisure activities, new interests including education, if appropriate. Develop a rapport based upon companionship and befriending but within appropriate and transparent professional boundaries. Support service users to keep a level of personal hygiene and wellbeing. Provide regular and practical support to service users in developing and managing dignity and independence. Acknowledge diversity and promote anti-discriminatory practice/equal opportunities. Provide support and care with daily living; "living ordinary lives." Help service users gain access to resources to include benefits and welfare rights. Provide information on health promotion. Support service users to undertake household tasks. Provide professional emotional support for service users' and document accordingly. Contacting relevant external professionals where appropriate. Liaise with service users' families and carers, where appropriate, regarding sensitive issues relating to the service users' needs and identified risks, as agreed in the Support Planning process. Administer, Prompt, observe and document accurate medication records Undertake health and safety checks within the service / building and always ensure safety. Empower service users to speak for themselves, promoting their rights, responsibility and recovery.

PROFESSIONAL

1. Work with the registered to improve areas for personal and professional development as identified through supervision.

2. Attend all mandatory training and appropriate educational and training activities as agreed with the registered manager.

3. Undergo an annual personal development review with the registered manager.

4. Demonstrate ability to value diversity and promote equality of opportunity ensuring that individuals are treated fairly and respected for their contribution in terms of experience, knowledge and skills.

GENERAL

1. The post holder will keep up to date with policies, guidelines, procedures and practices.

2. The post holder will contribute to discussions regarding the development and/or amendment of care luxe policies and protocols.

3. The post holder will participate in team meetings and other meetings as required.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: 12.60 per hour

Expected hours: 40 per week

Work Location: In person