Casual Support Assistant (Category 2.5 Sheltered Housing)

Monday - Sunday between 07:00 & 22:00 worked over a service led rota which includes days & evenings, weekends & Bank Holidays. The need for casual worker support is most likely to occur for evening, Bank Holiday and weekend cover

The overall purpose of Sheltered Housing is to provide the right accommodation and support when needed.

Sheltered Housing is purpose-built accommodation offering support for people 55 years and over who need support in maintaining their independence. Residents have their own tenancy agreement with Portsmouth City Council and therefore can live independently in their own accommodation but with the reassurance that support is available as needed. There are shared areas in the sheltered scheme in which residents can meet and enjoy some social activities.

As a service we take pride in making a positive difference in helping our residents maintain their independence in their homes. The Support Assistant role is a crucial one in ensuring that we can meet our purpose.

What is the role?

You will be working at Arthur Dann Court, a Portsmouth City Council Category 2.5 Sheltered Housing Scheme. As a Casual Support Assistant, you may be called on to cover staff absence and periods of high demand. At times, you may be required to lone work, but you will be provided with the training and induction needed to enable you to do this with confidence.

As a Support Assistant, you will provide residents with day-to-day help according to need. This for example may involve domestic help or personal reassurance. Where support is needed, you will liaise with care agencies, social workers, GPs, chemists and families of residents. You will need to be able to deal with any emergencies and on occasions, this will involve assisting some frailer residents with personal care issues.

You will spend time with residents often in their own home to understand their support needs, updating residents records at the time as appropriate. You will be involved in the serving of meals to residents, and this, as well as some other activities, will require you to handle and account for cash collected from the residents.

Part of your duties will be to assist the Scheme Manager with ensuring the security of the building and the carrying out of various health and safety checks. You will also support the Scheme Manager in promoting and facilitating social activities in the sheltered scheme.

• Have a caring nature, enjoy talking to people and have good listening skills


• Have a professional approach to your work


• Have good written skills and basic numeracy


• Be prepared to provide domestic help to residents who require support, and in an emergency, with their personal care


• Be physically able to participate in moving and handling tasks


• Be a good team worker, have the confidence to work alone and to deal with emergencies in a calm manner


• Have basic IT skills e.g. basic use of Microsoft Word and Outlook


• Be flexible and reliable. You may be called on at short notice to provide support
  
  We really appreciate our employees and fully realise they are essential to our success and look to offer an inclusive, supportive working environment where employees can reach their potentials with a healthy work life balance, offering the following rewards:


• A generous pension scheme


• Up to 31 days annual leave per year pro rata + bank holidays


• A range of retail discounts via our reward portal offering discounts at retailers including IKEA, Currys, Tesco


• Free Access to Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and wellbeing support


• Access to a wide range of training and development opportunities including apprenticeships


• Potential to purchase additional annual leave


• Business travel support and initiatives, including bike loans