Support Worker required for 15.5 Hours per week in Burnley, Driver Essential

Being a Support Worker at AFG is a hugely rewarding role and could be your first step on a long and happy career in Health & Social Care. 

So, what does a Support Worker do?

We have a vision to create a world where people control their lives.  Here at AFG, we pride ourselves on helping the people we support to design, develop and ‘own’ the support they receive by planning this with them; we support people to make informed choices and increase their own independence; and we support people to maintain their own health, wellbeing and living environment.  These principles are really important to us.

Our Support Workers work in a variety of settings including community-based services (often supporting people in their own homes) to our Treatment & Recovery Centres. 

One thing that is common across all of our services is a focus on personalised support and tailoring our services to the needs and aspirations of the people we support with a diverse range of care needs (including Learning Disabilities, Physical Disabilities, Mental Health Concerns, Complex Care, Substance Misuse issues to name a few). 

We value the people that work with us…

At AFG we recognise the contribution and value that our staff make.  We would not be able to provide the life changing support that we do without people like you!  In return for your contribution we will support you throughout your career and we provide a wide range of employee benefits, career development (including opportunities to undertake vocational qualifications) and lifestyle support services to ensure that you too feel supported, fulfilled and valued from day one of your employment with us.

About you…

There are a few things that we look for in all of our support workers; we would need you to…

• be a good communicator (verbally and in writing)
• be patient, confident and enthusiastic about caring for others
• be able to use your own initiative
• be able to work as part of a team
• have flexibility to work a varied shift pattern to provide 24-hour support
• share our AFG values

We don’t ask for any other relevant training or a previous career in care as full training will be provided – you just need a willingness to learn and develop. 

Your pay - our Support Workers receive a rate of £12.00 per hour for all worked hours. Once you are successful for a role with us, full details of your pay will be included in your written offer. 

As a ‘values based’ employer, the people that work for us genuinely care about the people they support, and we are seeking likeminded people to join our AFG family.  If you are passionate about caring for others and have a real desire to make a positive difference to the lives of the people we support then we would love to hear from you.

More about this vacancy...
We asked the Team Leader to tell us more about this role and the amazing person that we need to work here.

Where is this vacancy based?
This vacancy is based in Burnley.

Who do you support?
We support a lady and 2 gents who all have learning disabilities and complex health needs, aged between 50-70. All 3 people supported enjoy day to day activities such as going out for lunch and tea, attend day centres, go out on days out to the seaside and drives out etc.

Where do they live?
The property is a 5 bedroom detached house with large rear garden to the back and front garden with a steep driveway. The property is located in an area on the outskirts of Burnley.

What would a typical shift be like?
At the start of a shift staff will complete a daily handover, all 3 people require support with personal care needs.. Medication will be administered. All 3 people are encouraged to choose what they would like for breakfast. 1-1hrs are delivered each day this might be supporting them to do personal shopping, out for lunch or attend activities. In the afternoon the people supported like to do some knitting, arts and crafts watch tv or listen to music. Supported to complete daily household tasks such as putting laundry away, cleaning bedrooms, dusting and hoovering around etc. In the late afternoon we would encourage the people supported to get involved in the kitchen cooking dinner. In the evening supporting to retire for the evening.

What activities do the people that we support at this property like to do?
All 3 enjoy listening to music they have an Alexa that will play this for them. The lady supported enjoys knitting and completing cleaning chores and arts and crafts.  All 3 love being out and about doing the shopping or attending day activities where they engage with the community.

Are there any skills or interests that a candidate could have that would be great to use to support this service?
All 3 have mobility cars so ideally we would like someone who can drive. We need someone that has patience and to be a good listener. Someone that has good cooking skills as we need full support to cook meals. We would like someone who is well organised to help and support with planning our day to day lives.

What daily tasks to the people we support need help with

• Daily finances and banking
• Household chores including food preparation
• Managing a tenancy; reporting property issues to the landlord
• Medication management
• Building social & lifestyle skills
• Health & hygiene needs
• Personal care

What is the team here or is it lone-working?
You will a part of an experienced well established team who will mentor you around how we deliver care and support. You will be working with another staff member during the day then in the evening be lone working once training has been completed.

What are your shift patterns?
Day 08.30-22.00 sleep 06.30-09.00 and the odd day shift which typically starts between 0830-0930 till around 16.30.

We hope this has given you more insight into this role and we hope to see your application soon.

Please note our Support Workers are contracted by area therefore flexibility is essential to work in other services where required.