Night-time Care Assistant

Mission Statement of L'Arche:

“To make known the gifts of people with intellectual disabilities revealed through mutually transforming relationships. To engage in our diverse cultures, working together to build a more humane society. To foster an environment in communities that is inspired by the core values of our founding story, and that responds to the changing needs of our members.”

L’Arche is first and foremost a Community where Assistants are asked to enter into real and respectful relationships with adults with intellectual disabilities and with their co workers. Respect for the dignity and privacy of the individual is a key requirement of the position.

Night-time Care Assistant - L'Arche Cork

We are currently recruiting for a number of Night-time Care Assistant positions to provide support to adults with intellectual disabilities who live in a residential setting in L’Arche Cork. These are full-time, permanent positions for a basic 39-hour week. The primary responsibility of the Live Out Care Assistant (LOCA) is to provide support for Residents in their L’Arche homes. The level of support provided will be appropriate to the needs of each Resident, thus it will be necessary to have an in-depth knowledge of each Resident and their needs, skills, likes and dislikes and to build a trusting relationship with them.

The Nighttime Care Assistants will have particular responsibility for the fire safety of the house or houses where they are based. They are expected to do a walk around the house or houses at regular intervals during the nighttime period that they are on duty.

The Nighttime Care Assistant will report to and be supervised and supported by the House Leader. He/She will be expected to work closely with the team of Assistants in the house in order to give the best support possible to the Residents. The Nighttime Care Assistant is required to be familiar with and adhere to the policies and procedures of L’Arche and with the National Standards for people with intellectual disabilities.

Some Other Duties and responsibilities:

As mentioned above the primary role of the Nighttime Care Assistant is to ensure the safety of the residents and volunteers during the nighttime shift. There are also some other areas that the person may be responsible for. They include:

• Personal care - Provide support to the Resident around personal hygiene, bathing/showering, skin, hair and nail care, and laundry.
• Medical needs - Monitor the well-being of the Residents and liaise with House Leader.
• Care Plans - be aware of all the care plans in the house and be willing to update wherever necessary.
• Health promotion - Encourage Residents to form good health habits during the night by promoting sleep hygiene and healthy snack choices.
• Team development - support the house leader in developing a positive team environment facilitating good communication practices wherever necessary
• Meetings - Attend relevant meetings e.g. house team meeting, person centered planning meetings, case conferences, etc
• Supporting other houses - be willing to support other houses wherever necessary

Please note that this list of responsibilities is not exhaustive as the job may develop and evolve over time and due to ageing and changing needs of the Residents.

Essential Skills & Experience

The following are the desirable characteristics/experiences for the person filling this position. That they:

• Have experience in working with adults with an intellectual disability
• Have a social care/healthcare qualification
• Be Person Centred in approach and attitude.
• High standard of English—both verbally and in writing
• Excellent teamwork, interpersonal, organisational and initiative skills.
• Understanding of Advocacy and Human Rights.
• Knowledge of the National Standards for Residential Services for Children and Adults with Disabilities.
• A good understanding of HIQA requirements and of the National Standards for Residential Services for Adults with Disabilities is essential
• Demonstrate sound knowledge of social model practice in support of adults;
• Role subject to Garda vetting, verification of qualifications and satisfactory references.

Please tell us in your covering letter why you feel you would be suitable for this role, and include your Curriculum Vitae with names & contact details of 2 referees – one employment related.