EXCITING OPPORTUNITY - RESIDENTIAL SERVICE - GALWAY CITY for qualified Social Care Workers to join our dedicated team, making a difference for the people we support to live their best life.
Ability West provides a wide range of high-quality services to children and adults with intellectual disabilities and autism across Galway City and County. Services provided are day, residential, short breaks, community supports, rehabilitative training, and multi-disciplinary supports. The ethos of service provision is underpinned by our Vision, Mission, Core Values, and Strategic Plan, which is to empower people with disabilities to live self-directed lives in an equal and inclusive society. Each person is supported and valued within an environment that promotes their overall autonomy, health, and wellbeing, enabling them to reach their potential.
The Role
The Social Care Worker will provide residential and respite care within a staff team for children and adults with intellectual disabilities attending Ability West's services in accordance with Ability West policies, procedures, guidelines, and the Ability West's Safety Statement.
1. Act as Person in Charge in the absence of the Service Manager.
2. Work positively and constructively with people we support who present with behaviours that challenge, and be involved in the planning and implementation of specific approaches and programmes designed for these individuals.
3. Teach specific skills to service users living in the home, including self-help, domestic, kitchen, community, leisure, and social skills. This will involve developing and operating individual plans for those we support.
4. Act as key worker for specific individuals, which may include meeting with and supporting families and members of the multidisciplinary team in ongoing programmes and carrying out home visits as required in consultation with the Service Manager.
5. Administer, supervise, and record prescribed medication.
6. Work with all colleagues and provide direction for Care Assistants (as required) in line with normal practice for their profession.
7. Be responsible for the wellbeing of individuals in the Care of Ability West.
8. Facilitate the development of interpersonal relationships in each service.
9. Enable individuals to value themselves and enhance their feelings of self-worth and individuality.
10. Care for the day-to-day needs of the individuals living in the service.
11. Provide personal care assistance in tasks such as dressing and washing.
12. Perform housekeeping duties, including cooking, shopping, cleaning, and looking after the individuals' clothes and effects, encouraging their participation in these activities.
13. Facilitate leisure activities tailored to individual needs, with an emphasis on community integration.
14. Use person-first language in verbal and written communication.
15. Liaise with all grades of staff in the assigned centre and other centres, ensuring families and visitors to the service are attended to with consideration.
16. Undertake driving duties in Ability West vehicles and/or own transport.
17. Work a shift rota, spread over 7 days, as determined by management, and be available for sleep-in duties and night duty as rostered.
18. Maintain records and reports required by the Service Manager for the efficient running of the service.
19. Ensure the health and welfare of staff and individuals we support is maintained in accordance with Ability West procedures, and that all safety precautions are implemented.
20. Adhere to HIQA standards and maintain a working knowledge of the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) standards.
The list of key duties is not exhaustive.
Essential Criteria
1. A professional degree (minimum level 7) in Applied Social Studies or relevant qualification.
2. Previous experience working with individuals with intellectual disabilities or in a similar field.
3. Registered with the Social Care Workers Registration Board maintained by CORU.
4. Full current driving license with access to your own vehicle.
5. Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
6. Strong problem-solving skills.
7. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
8. Motivated, energetic, and enthusiastic personality.
9. An ability to advocate on behalf of those we support.
What We Are Offering
1. Permanent Contracts.
2. Regular support and supervision and access to the Employee Assistance Program.
3. A wide variety of on-the-job training with core training interventions like Studio III and medication training.
4. The opportunity to work in a person-centred organisation and make a positive difference to people's lives and communities.
5. A supportive and inclusive work environment where your ideas and input are valued.
6. The opportunity to grow and develop professionally in this role through training and experience.
7. 22 days annual leave initially plus public holidays.
8. Contributory pension scheme of 7%.
9. Flexible benefits and above statutory minimum.
10. Bike to Work Scheme.
11. Four-week rolling rosters to facilitate work-life balance.
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