Senior Care Assistant

SENIOR CARE ASSISTANT – DEMENTIA CARE

Place of Work:
Brockenhurst Residential Home
44–46 Arundel Road
Littlehampton
West Sussex
BN17 7DD

Job Title: Senior Care Assistant – Flexible Hours

Responsible To:  Manager / Deputy Manager

Reports To: Manager / Deputy Manager

Job Purpose

As a Senior Care Assistant, you will play a key role in supporting the Registered Manager and Deputy Manager in the day-to-day delivery of high-quality, person-centred care to residents living with dementia.

You will provide leadership and guidance to the care team, ensuring residents receive safe, compassionate and dignified care that reflects their individual needs, preferences, choices and care plans.

You will act as a positive role model to colleagues, supporting the team to maintain high standards of care and ensuring that the home's policies, procedures and regulatory requirements are consistently followed.

The successful candidate will have a genuine passion for working with older people, particularly those living with dementia, and will demonstrate patience, compassion, professionalism and excellent communication skills.

Key Responsibilities and Duties

Leadership and Team Support

• Support the Registered Manager and Deputy Manager in the effective day-to-day running of the care service.
• Provide guidance, support and leadership to Care Assistants, acting as a positive role model at all times.
• Assist in coordinating the care team and ensuring that residents' care needs are appropriately met throughout each shift.
• Delegate duties appropriately and ensure that staff understand their responsibilities.
• Support new members of staff during induction and assist colleagues in developing their knowledge and skills.
• Assist with the supervision and monitoring of care staff as required.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues to maintain a positive, respectful and supportive working environment.
• Assist in covering staff shortages, sickness and annual leave where reasonably required.

Person-Centred Dementia Care

• Provide high-quality, person-centred care to residents living with dementia.
• Support residents with personal care, including washing, dressing, continence care, oral care and other activities of daily living.
• Promote residents' dignity, privacy, independence, choice and individuality at all times.
• Follow individual care plans and ensure that care is delivered in accordance with residents' assessed needs and preferences.
• Support residents with eating and drinking and monitor nutritional and hydration needs.
• Encourage residents to participate in meaningful activities and maintain their independence wherever possible.
• Use appropriate communication techniques when supporting residents living with dementia, including those who may experience confusion, distress or behaviours that challenge.
• Promote a calm, respectful and supportive environment that recognises each resident as an individual.
• Recognise and report changes in residents' physical, emotional or mental wellbeing promptly.

Care Planning and Documentation

• Maintain accurate, clear and timely records of care provided.
• Contribute to the assessment, planning, delivery and evaluation of residents' care.
• Report any changes in a resident's condition, behaviour, mobility, nutrition, hydration or general wellbeing to the appropriate senior member of staff.
• Ensure care delivered is consistent with residents' care plans and risk assessments.
• Maintain confidentiality and handle residents' personal information appropriately and in accordance with current data protection requirements.
• Complete all required documentation accurately and within the required timescales.

Safeguarding, Health and Safety & Compliance

• Follow all policies, procedures and protocols of the home.
• Promote and maintain high standards of safeguarding and report any concerns immediately through the appropriate channels.
• Comply with relevant CQC requirements, legislation, regulations and organisational standards.
• Follow Health and Safety, infection prevention and control, COSHH, fire safety and emergency procedures.
• Report accidents, incidents, safeguarding concerns, complaints and hazards promptly and in accordance with the home's procedures.
• Maintain a safe environment for residents, visitors and colleagues.
• Ensure residents' personal belongings are treated with care and respect.
• Follow the home's security procedures at all times.

Quality of Care

• Contribute to maintaining and improving the quality of care provided within the home.
• Support the home's quality assurance processes and identify areas where standards can be improved.
• Promote a culture of dignity, respect, compassion and person-centred care.
• Ensure residents' rights, freedom of choice and independence are promoted wherever possible.
• Work in accordance with the home's values, policies, procedures and Resident Charter.
• Report concerns, complaints or areas of non-compliance promptly to the Registered Manager or Deputy Manager.

Communication and Professional Relationships

• Communicate effectively with residents, relatives, visitors, colleagues and other professionals.
• Build positive and trusting relationships with residents and their families.
• Treat everyone with respect and demonstrate an understanding of equality, diversity and inclusion.
• Answer telephone calls professionally and pass on messages accurately.
• Attend staff meetings, training sessions, supervisions and other meetings as required.
• Maintain professional boundaries and represent the home positively at all times.

General Duties

• Ensure residents have appropriate clothing, toiletries and personal items and report any shortages.
• Assist with maintaining clean, tidy and safe resident areas as required.
• Replenish care supplies and use resources responsibly.
• Support the team with general duties necessary for the smooth running of the home.
• Participate in mandatory and additional training relevant to the role.
• Undertake any other reasonable duties consistent with the nature and level of the position.

Person Specification

Essential

• Previous experience working in a residential, nursing or dementia care setting.
• Experience supporting older people and/or people living with dementia.
• Good understanding of person-centred care.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work as part of a team and provide leadership to colleagues.
• Ability to work independently and use initiative.
• Compassionate, patient and respectful approach to care.
• Good understanding of confidentiality, safeguarding and professional boundaries.
• Willingness to undertake mandatory training and continued professional development.
• Flexibility to work a range of shifts according to the needs of the home.

Desirable

• Level 2 or Level 3 Diploma in Adult Care or equivalent qualification.
• Previous experience working as a Senior Care Assistant.
• Experience supporting or mentoring care staff.
• Experience working specifically within a dementia care environment.
• Knowledge of care planning, risk assessments and care documentation.
• Medication training/experience, where applicable to the role and in accordance with the home's policies.

Hours of Work

Job Type: Full-time / Permanent
Hours: Flexible hours available
Shifts: Day and evening shifts available. Flexibility is required to meet the needs of the home.

Pay: From £12.80 per hour, depending on experience and qualifications.

Benefits

• Company pension
• On-site parking
• Training and professional development opportunities
• Supportive working environment
• Opportunities for career progression

Our Commitment

At Brockenhurst Residential Home, we are committed to providing high-quality, compassionate and person-centred care for people living with dementia.

We are looking for Senior Care Assistants who share our commitment to dignity, respect, compassion, independence and choice, and who want to make a meaningful difference to the lives of our residents.