Behaviour Support Worker

BROTHERS OF CHARITY SERVICES IRELAND – WEST REGION

1 X Temporary Behaviour Support Worker

RINDOON SERVICES (Roscommon Town area)

JOB REF: 71330

While this position will suit one candidate as a full time post, it may also be suitable split between two candidates on a part time basis.

Location:

Assignment to Rindoon Services, initially based in the Roscommon Town area. Future developments within the services may require that you are prepared to transfer to other work locations as the service needs demand.

The Role:

This is a direct support / front line role providing support to an individual with Intellectual Disability, Autism and Complex Behaviours. The role is to assist the Behaviour Support Team with the required intensive therapeutic interventions. The successful candidate will take a lead role with implementation of the Behaviour Support Plan and associated therapeutic supports. This will involve supporting the Individual during behaviours of distress.

This role includes working as a key worker to support and advocate for the individual supported by the service. The role is to support the person in all aspects of their life focusing on the individual’s ability while promoting independence and development of skills. This post involves being part of building a competence enhancing and supportive environment around the individual. The role will assist and support the individual, with the development of their person centred plan, the achievement of associated outcomes, to live a meaningful life and fulfil their potential.

The successful candidate will encourage community participation and inclusion in positive ways, seek opportunities for new experiences and encourage positive risk taking.

Reporting/Responsible To:

Reporting operationally to the Area Manager or any person assigned by the Area Manger and reporting clinically to Senior Behaviour Specialist/Therapist.

Qualifications/Experience:

• Candidates require a level 7 qualification relevant to the health sector.

• Candidates must have a qualification and / or training in Positive Behaviour Support.(This role is suitable for a person who has obtained or is pursuing a qualification in Applied Behavioural Analysis / Positive Behaviour Support. The Senior Behaviour Specialist/Therapist will provide supervision. The available supervision meets the requirements towards Accreditation with the Behaviour Analyst Certification Board.)

• Candidates must have experience of working with Individuals, who present with an Intellectual Disability and/ or Autism.

• Candidates must have experience working with Individuals who present with Behaviours that challenge.

• A full clean manual Driving Licence, which qualifies you to drive manual transmission vehicles on Irish Roads and use of your own car is an essential requirement. It may also be necessary for the appointee to obtain a Class D1 Driving Licence (if not already in possession of one). Assistance will be given towards this purpose of obtaining a class D1 licence.

• Candidates should be proficient in I.T. Skills i.e. ability to use computers, modern technology, on-line system and assistive technology.

• Fluency in verbal and written English is an essential requirement of this post.

• The successful candidate should have good team working skills and be able to demonstrate creativity, positivity and enthusiasm in their role.

Skills:

Candidates must demonstrate,

• Understanding of a functional approach of Behaviours that Challenge, placing an emphasis on creating a competence enhancing and supportive environment.

• An ability to remain calm in demanding environment.

• Active support and empower each individual in their endeavours to achieve priority goals in their Personal Outcome Measures.

• A capability to be flexible and creative in an approach with an enthusiasm and commitment to ensuring a person centred philosophy.

• An ability to exercise good judgement and use initiative in problem solving.

• An ability to exercise effective interpersonal skills, to collaborate, communicate and work effectively with people supported, clinical colleagues and front line staff colleagues.

• Excellent organisational and planning skills to implement and support quality initiatives in the development of day services.

• The successful candidate should demonstrate team working skills within a dynamic team environment and be able to demonstrate creativity, positivity and enthusiasm in their role.

Working hours:

78 hours a fortnight or two part time posts of 39 hours per fortnight rostered Monday to Friday. Contracted hours of work are liable to change from 8am to 8pm to meet the requirements of the programme. The Brothers of Charity model of service is based on Personal Outcome Measures requiring employees to be flexible in their working hours and any changes in rostering in the future to provide a quality service delivery for each individual. Starting and finishing times will be as notified to you by the person in charge.

Annual Leave:

22 days per annum (pro-rata for part-time).

Remuneration:

Department of Health, Senior Instructor/Supervisor Grade applies. €38,620 x 8 increments - €49,278 (Max) per annum (pro-rata for part-time).

LSI 1 €50,886 per annum pro-rata is paid after 3 years on the maximum of the scale.

LSI 2 €52,575 per annum pro-rata is paid after a further 3 years.

Tenure:

1 X 1-year fixed term temporary full time and pensionable, working 78 hours per fortnight

OR

2 X 1-year fixed term temporary part time and pensionable, working 39 hours per fortnight

Probation:

A probationary period of nine months from the date of appointment applies to the post. The employment may be terminated at any time during the probationary period should the employer find that the appointee is unsuitable to continue employment. The probation period may be extended at the Employer’s discretion.

JOB DESCRIPTION

Specific Conditions

• Staff must have a positive attitude towards working with persons with an intellectual disability and help to ensure that they lead as normal and enjoyable a life as possible.

• Staff must treat each person with an intellectual disability as an individual and at all times acknowledge and respect the rights and personal dignity of the person with an intellectual disability.

• Staff are required to establish and maintain relationships with adults with disabilities that are based on respect and equality and that promote their independence.

• An understanding that the person using services is responsible for directing his/her services; this is achieved in partnership with family members, the Manager or any other person designated by the manager and the multidisciplinary support team.

• An understanding of the New Directions model of day support services, as developed by the HSE. A willingness to work in promoting this model within your role under the supervision and direction of the Manager or any other person designated by the manager

Principal duties and Responsibilities:

Supporting Individuals:

• Consult with Individuals to help identify their personal vision for their lives and their current support needs. Promote the best possible outcomes for individuals in each aspect of their life and respect their adult status and rights at all times.

• Implement Behaviour Support Plan Strategies, including crisis management strategies in the manner required.

• Liaise with the Behaviour Support Team and furnish any reports and records as may be required

• Assist Behaviour Support team with the monitoring of behaviours that challenge.

• Record identified targets associated with skills teaching and quality of life

• Supporting choice & communication within the context of Positive Behaviour Support.

• Supporting predictability to assist understanding for the person supported.

• Supporting meaningful engagement in the person’s daily life.

• Providing mindful and compassionate support

• Implementation of targeted skills teaching including communication, coping & social skills.

• In accordance with each Individual’s wishes, assist the person to pursue any rights/report any rights restrictions up to and including referral to the Rights Committee or other Advocacy Structure. Following consultation with manager and multidisciplinary support team support the person to access the Independent Advocacy Service where appropriate,

• Co-operate on all aspects of support and training schedules/interventions.

• Overseeing, reviewing and updating personal outcomes and participate in regularly checking the individuals needs/wishes and follow up on these outcomes, reporting regularly on plans and achievements to the Manager or person assigned by Manger.

• Social Role Valorisation is the theory of practice that underpins staff supporting the individual. Be mindful of supporting people to live “ordinary lives in their local communities and actively support people to achieve meaningful social roles in their local community”.

• Ensure that risk assessments and individual protocols are completed where required and are signed, dated and review dates noted - consulting with other team members, multi-disciplinary support staff and manager as required.

• Support people to have Circle of Support meetings at a time and place that suits the person and the people they would like to attend their meeting. (i.e. family / friends etc.).

• Responsibility to make referrals to the relevant multi- disciplinary clinical supports as required (e.g. Behaviour Support, Speech & Language Therapy, Psychology, Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy). Compliance with implementation of clinical recommendations.

Supporting Independence:

• Be supportive at all times, facilitating Individuals to make their own decisions and to self-advocate. To empower each person to achieve realistic goals remaining mindful of appropriate risk management assessment and procedures.

• Provide practical support and guidance as needed including personal care, which may include helping Individuals with intimate self-care tasks such as washing, dressing or going to the toilet. Support the development and implementation of appropriate intimate care protocols and procedures in consultation with the person, their family and the multidisciplinary team.

• Assist Individuals to become as independent as possible in all aspects of daily living skills.

• Assist Individuals with budgeting, banking and management of their personal finances in accordance with Services’ policies and procedures.

Supporting Social Skills:

• Support Individuals in developing friendships and positive relationships.

• Support and assist individuals to achieve meaningful and valued social roles in their community.

Supporting Community Inclusion:

• Encourage community participation and inclusion in positive ways, seek opportunities for new experiences and encourage positive risk taking.

• Work in partnership with the local community to promote the abilities of and contribution people supported can make to their local community

• Actively seek new interests and opportunities for people to interact in their communities in a positive and image enhancing way through social roles/volunteering, work, membership of groups/clubs, etc.

Supporting Health and Wellbeing:

• Support people to achieve best possible health and to attend doctor and health professionals in a pro-active way.

• Be conscious of supporting people in creating a healthy environment within their home and daily living. Promote healthy eating and exercise as appropriate.

• Administer medication following appropriate training as prescribed and required in accordance with policies of the service.

• Ensure medical records are filed and kept up to date.

Management/Organisational Duties:

• Liaise regularly with the Behaviour Support Team in regard to all associated behavioural issues that has a potential significant impact on the person supported.

• Co-ordinating timetables/schedules for people supported in line with their personal outcomes.

• Assist in organising and conducting circle of support meetings, participating in mental health clinic appointments and other support plan meetings.

• Follow all Policies and Procedures of the service at all times

• Report any concerns regarding abuse/welfare issues immediately to the Designated Officer and to your Manager.

• Report all incidents/accidents, Challenging Behaviour incidents and Medical Errors using the required procedures and protocols.

• Within the organization there is a strong emphasis on teamwork and it is therefore essential to work well within a team and have good communication skills,

• Assist with service setting specific duties as required e.g. money management, Health & Safety tasks and upkeep including heat and lighting, and other relevant duties to ensure the smooth running of the Service.

• Keep required records and reports.

• Drive the transport assigned to the service area ensuring that the travel log is maintained. Carry out vehicle inspections and ensure that the vehicle roadworthy at all times.

• Be Information Technology literate and maintain/update your IT skills as required, in order to keep records required for the organisation and support people with IT and social media. .

• Attendance at mandatory training and refresher mandatory training as required is essential

• Be aware of and become familiar with Fire Drill procedures within the service area i.e. fire detection, evacuation and firefighting. Carry out and record Fire Drills as required.

• Be conscious of Health & Safety matters in the workplace and, in particular, to comply with employees' obligations as set out under Chapter 2 of the Safety, Health & Welfare at Work Act, 2005.

• Ensure that all accidents/incidents to people supported, staff or visitors are reported in accordance with Service policy and that all staff members are fully aware of the contents of the Safety Statement.

• Perform such other duties appropriate to the post as may be assigned from time to time by the Manager or any other person designated by the manager.

The role of the post holder will not be limited by reference to this job description. It is expected that the role will evolve and develop as required by professional, structural, and people supported demands, requiring the post holder to demonstrate a high degree of flexibility to facilitate this.

Informal enquiries to Helen Hunt, Area Manager 0873485667

Closing date for receipt of applications/CV’s online is Thursday 31/10/2024 at 5pm

Interviews will be held on Thursday 14th November 2024

The Brothers of Charity Services Ireland is an equal opportunities employer