Engagement Support Worker

Job summary

Job Purpose:

William Simpsons is a registered charity and 71 bed residential care home which enables adults living with a mental health diagnosis, cognitive impairment, ARBD and other substance abuse related conditions, to get the very best out of life.

To provide a diverse, wide range of activities, outings and opportunities which have a positive and beneficial impact on residents’ mental, physical and emotional wellbeing.

On the surface, activity provision may seem like an interesting and fun way for residents to spend their time but there is much more to activity provision. Every engagement opportunity promotes social interaction, shared conversations and reminiscence opportunities which help to validate each individual’s sense of worth. Many activities promote self expression and incorporate an element of problem solving, enabling residents to flex their cognitive muscles.

Exercise and movement opportunities are embedded in the foundations of everything we do, from organised group exercise sessions through to one-to-one interactions where every day living activities can be used to encourage movement.

Our activity provision should also promote residents’ independence, provide opportunities for individuals to challenge themselves (at a level appropriate to them) and enable every resident to exercise their own personal choice.

As a member of the Engagement Support Team, you are responsible for the smooth running of activities. You will work both independently and collaboratively with your engagement team colleagues, care staff and other William Simpsons team members to ensure that every resident has opportunity to enjoy meaningful activities, within their flat, the communal areas of the home and further afield within the wider community.

Key Aspects of the Role:

· Engaging positively with residents at every opportunity and encouraging resident interaction.

· Recording all resident interaction accurately, and in a timely manner using the correct procedure.

· Organising and facilitating a diverse range of activity sessions. You should also be prepared and willing to adapt activities should there be little, or no interest in what has been planned. This applies to all activities, 1:1 or small group flat-focussed sessions, larger group activities and outings, whether pre-planned or spontaneous.

· When an external provider is delivering a workshop or activity for residents, you will support and assist both the residents and external facilitator, to ensure that residents get the most from the experience.

· When undertaking ‘flat focused’ activities, you will seek guidance from the care staff team as to the ‘care priorities’ of those participating. You will seek to promote these within your activity provision.

· Preparing & serving ‘Light Bite’ meals to residents (toasties/paninis/wraps) during lunch provision, in accordance with Food Hygiene regulations and training.

· Providing inhouse cafe? barista services to residents (training provided) and inhouse shop services.

· You will be proactive in suggesting (to the engagement management team) and providing innovative opportunities for residents wishing to take on additional layers of responsibility, through the ‘Empowering People’ initiative.

· Before undertaking outings with residents, you will gather all appropriate documentation, which you will then read and sign off in advance of departure.

· Driving duties form an important element of the role as you safely transport residents to and from outing venues. When another member of staff is the allocated driver, your role is to support residents and encourage conversation during the journey. Drivers share the responsibility with other staff involved, to ensure residents board/exit/travel safely and securely and that all correct procedures are followed during boarding/transit/outing.

· As an Engagement Team member, you are expected to actively contribute ideas and suggestions of activities and outings for possible inclusion in the monthly activity calendar.

Other Duties:

· Cleaning activity areas, cafe? kitchen and all equipment. Taking your turn to check stock and organise the storage cupboards.

· Undertake continence, moving & handling, epilepsy and other such resident- relevant training to enable staff to maintain residents’ dignity, comfort and safety. Once trained, you will be expected to put your training into practice as part of your role.

· Complete annual allocation of elearning training within the strict timescales provided.

· Attend other inhouse and external training as required by your role.

· Follow Health & Safety policies for the Home and work within the policies and procedures of the Homes’ Quality Management System.

· Attend organised Engagement Team Meetings and other events as required.

· Any other duties as may be required to ensure the smooth running of the Home.

This role would be a 4 day working week (from 9.30am-5.00pm)

PVG application would be required through Disclosure Scotland.