Job Title - Day Supports Relief Support Staff
Reports To -Day Service Programme Coordinator
Roles Reporting-None
Key Relationships & Interactions
Internal - Day Supports; Supported living, Practice Development; Clinical; Alternative Breakaways
External - Parents/guardians; Community Health Services; Community at large; Residential Services
Job Overview
The position of Relief Support Worker is an important role within Walkinstown Association’s Day Services, offering flexible hours that you can choose to suit your personal and home life. We are seeking individuals who are available to work from Monday to Friday 9am – 5pm within our day services. This is an exciting opportunity to work across all of WALKs day support locations (South & North Dublin), gaining valuable experience in a dynamic and person-centered environment.
Relief Support Staff are responsible for providing support, training, supervision and personal assistance to people with intellectual disabilities and/or autism. The Relief Support Worker will support individuals in identifying and working toward their personal goals, fostering independence, and enhancing their overall well-being. This role involves providing guidance in areas such as education, training, and employment while promoting active community participation. Support will be delivered in alignment with the principles of New Directions, ensuring a person-centered approach that empowers individuals to lead self-directed and fulfilling lives.
The position holder will demonstrate ability in the following competency areas: service user empowerment; communication; assessment; community and service networking; facilitation of programmes; person centred planning; community living and supports; education; training and self-development; advocacy; vocational; career support; crisis intervention; organisational participation and documentation.
Key Result Areas
Key Responsibilities
Communication
* Maintain effective communication with the Day Service Programme Coordinator and local Team leaders.
* Maintain effective communication as directed and where appropriate with families & relatives ensuring their involvement in the total care of service users.
* Co-operate & liaise with relevant staff members on all matters affecting the care & identified needs of service users.
* Maintain up to date, accurate written reports on all service users. Provide comprehensive verbal reports on each service user ensuring an appropriate hand over procedure between individual staff members, management, Walkinstown Association services, external agencies are carried out in a timely and professional manner.
* Report accidents, incidents and complaints immediately to the Day Service Team Leader and/or Programme Coordinator and provide follow up information as requested. Ensure records relating to all accidents, incidents and complaints are maintained.
* Ensure that any information regarding service user’s vulnerability to abuse is reported immediately to the Day Service Team Leader and/or Programme Coordinator and in his/her absence to the Day Service Deputy Directors.
* Provide the Day Service Team Leader with weekly reports detailing tasks that were carried out within that week, and raise any actions/issues that need to be addressed.
* In consultation with the location Team Leader ensure that all financial transactions are recorded and that financial records are accurate and up to date.
* Attend and participate in staff meetings / trainings as requested.
* Participate in supervisions, to support professional development.
* Promote good relations within the immediate and wider community.
Person Centred Planning
* Develop and maintain well informed constructive and supportive relationships with service users.
* Support and empower services users for effective participation in the person centred planning process. Ensuring that each service user is supported and empowered to identify and make known his/her personal choices and goals.
* Act as key worker and team player in planning, organising, implementing and evaluating person-centred planning process for service users.
* Implement and evaluate outcomes from the person centred planning process as directed and ensure that the goals and choices of service users are met in accordance with their identified needs.
* Establish effective programmes/activities to meet individual and group needs.
* Review needs of service users in line with ‘person centred planning processes to access alternative options with a view to development.
* Promote community mainstreaming of activities & use all opportunities to increase programme choices.
* Organise and coordinate activities & social programmes at multiple locations.
* Continually review & enhance programme delivery by measuring programme effectiveness.
Personal Care
* Assist service users in the planning and preparation of meals, placing emphasis on a healthy nutritious diet. When required assist service user at meal times using the appropriate method.
* Assist with advice and instruction, as directed and where appropriate on each service users health, personal care, hygiene and ensure that that their privacy and dignity receives the utmost respect at all times.
* Ensure that safe storage and administration of all medical preparation in line with the medication policy and procedure of the Association.
* Exercise observation in recognising signs and symptoms of illness of service users. As directed, participate in procedures to prevent illness and promote the health of each service user.
* Provide a high standard of physical care and attention ensuring that privacy and dignity of service users are respected at all times. Ensure that all service users are suitably clothed with personal hygiene properly attended to. Implement personal hygiene programmes where appropriate and as directed.
* Support and assist service users through periods of challenging behaviour/mental health issues under the direction of Day Service Team Leaders.
Community Integration
* Facilitate development of service user independence & life-skills while placing emphasis on the service user’s social, recreational, educational & occupational needs.
* Deliver individualised & group training as required.
* Procure external resources & supports required for the overall well-being of service users.
* Develop links with wider community in promoting the work of the Association.
Other
* Ensure that all service user’s under your care receive adequate supervision at all times.
* To assist in the transportation of service user’s in accordance with the guidelines laid down in the Association’s transportation policy and procedure.
* Ensure that a good standard of hygiene is maintained in the room/location with due regard to safety of service users.
* Maintain high professional standards & confidentiality at all times.
* Ensure that health & safety policies are adhered to.
* Attend meetings, trainings & participate on committees as requested.
* Keep up to date with implementing good modern concepts of care.
* Actively participate in supervisions & Performance Appraisal System.
* Keep up to date with policies & procedures of the Association & adhere to them.
* Manage working relationships in a manner that promotes co-operation & participation, & which is respectful of the Associations line management structure.
* Act as a support for volunteers or students on work placements as directed.
Personal Competencies
* Fosters positive attitudes and forms interpersonal relationships that reflect respect, courtesy, and concern for individuals.
* Demonstrates ability to be flexible, plan, organise, & prioritise own work.
* Establishes & maintains effective working relationships & fosters cooperation & teamwork.
* Exercises independent judgment.
* Demonstrates tact & diplomacy in representing the service.
This job description indicates the main functions and responsibilities of the post and is subject to review and amendment in the light of changing circumstances and may include other duties and responsibilities, as may be determined from time to time.
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