Support Worker

BROTHERS OF CHARITY SERVICES –WEST REGION

POSTS: SUPPORT WORKERS BEO SERVICES

GALWAY CITY

Ref: 132/2024W

A panel may be formed as a result of this recruitment process from which subsequent

Permanent, temporary Support Worker appointments within the Service location, may be offered over the next 6 months.

Location:

BEO Services is a developing community-based day and residential service based in Knocknacarra, Galway City. The service comprises of residential services and day services. We aim to provide a homely environment for the people we support, encouraging them to make real choices over the day-to-day issues that are a part of all our lives. We aim to facilitate the people we support to take part in the activities that include social and recreational in their local community. (Hiring Manger Sinead O’ Kane)

DESCRIPTION OF OUR SERVICES

The Brothers of Charity Services provide a wide range of services to people with an intellectual disability and to their families. The services range from Early Intervention Services for young Children through to School Age Services with a variety of programmes for Adults. Our services include educational, day, residential, respite, family support with a range of multidisciplinary support services and supports to individuals who live independently. Our model of service is based on Personal Outcome Measures requiring employees to be flexible to provide a quality service to the people we support.

Adults West Galway Services operates a range of services including Day, Residential, Respite, Community outreach, education, employment opportunities, Individualised services, and leisure activities which are geographically dispersed though the West Galway Sector Adult Services. Our Services are person centred focusing on the needs and abilities of adults with intellectual disabilities. The vision of the service is to support people with intellectual disabilities to achieve a full and valued life in their community. We continually review the way in which we support people in line with best practice internationally. Our focus going forward is to form a relationship/partnership with each individual and their family and communities, supporting people to plan and direct their own service so that they can enjoy a life with a healthy balance of supports. We wish to create opportunities for people who use our service to have valued social roles in their communities and to have the chance to form friendships.

We wish to recruit an innovative, creative, visionary person who will relish the opportunity to assist in achieving this vision as part of a team. We are looking for an individual who will be flexible and adapt to the needs of particular individuals they support and are open to change.

OUR VISION

To support people to be valued citizens in their local community, to have everyday life experiences and to be closely connected to family and friends. We are committed to supporting people to make choices about their lives and to the provision of quality services that meets people’s needs.

Staff allocation could be either within residential/day settings or in community services or in an individual’s family home. The appointee will initially commence working in one particular area of the service, and this work location may change due to future service needs.

The Role:

Support Workers provide a key-working caring role for a group of People Supported by the Services. This role comprises two main elements. Firstly the Support Worker is responsible for all aspects of personal care required during the day. This includes meals, personal hygiene and other related aspects of physical well-being. Secondly, a major focus of the Support Worker role is to assist and support People Supported by the Services with development on Individual Plan’s and achievement of associated outcomes. In addition, a critical component of this role is to support People Supported by the Services in community participation and integration.

Reporting/Responsible To:

Staff Nurse in charge/Team Leader/Team Manager/Service Coordinator

Qualifications & Experience:

• Candidates must have a good general education. A recognised qualification in the field of intellectual disability or a FETAC level 5 course is an advantage. A QQI Level 5 or higher is desirable

• Candidates must have a minimum of one years’ experience of working with individuals with an Intellectual Disability and prior experience of working in residential services and must have a minimum of six months experience of working with Individuals who display behaviours that challenge for permanent posts.

• Candidates must have a minimum of 6 months’ experience of working with individuals with an Intellectual Disability and prior experience of working in residential services and a minimum of six months experience of working with Individuals who display behaviours that challenge is desirable for temporary posts or an understanding of the requirements needed to provide support.

• Candidates must be able to demonstrate flexibility, communication and team-working skills, together with an enthusiasm for the post.

• IT skills are essential.

• A full, clean, manual Irish Driving Licence is essential.

• 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.

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

Skills:

Candidates must be able to demonstrate flexibility, communication and team-working skills, together with an enthusiasm for the post.

Working Hours:

Various Contracts -permanent, temporary or fixed term, full time, part time, Support Worker appointments

All posts are based on a 14 day duty roster. The successful candidates will be required to work to accommodate an integrated day service, with weekend work, some split duty hours, public holidays, night duty and sleep-ins to meet service needs. The Brothers of Charity model of service is based on Personal Outcome Measures requiring employees to be flexible in their working hours to provide a quality service delivery for each individual.

Annual Leave:

22 days pro rata per annum, i.e. 8.46 hours per 100 hours worked.

Remuneration:

€38,451 x 11 increments - €53,436 (Max) pro rata per annum. Long Service Increment €54,445 pro rata per annum is payable after 3 years on the maximum of the scale. Additional payments will be made for weekends, public holidays, sleep-ins and night-duty when worked.

Salary quoted is based on a 39 hour working week. The successful candidate will be granted incremental credit subject to satisfactory verification of previous public sector service.

Tenure:

A panel may be formed as a result of this process from which subsequent permanent, temporary or fixed term Support Worker appointments within the Service location, may be offered over the next 6 months.

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.