Health Care Assistant / Support Worker Level 2 Apprentice

Introduction

To support our clients to enjoy the best quality of life that they can have in the comfort of their own home. Compassion, good communication and organisational skills together with a calm, caring manner are essential for this role within our organisation as you will mostly work alone with the client in their own home.

About the Employer

As Swindon’s population ages, finding dependable, compassionate care has become increasingly important. Some families often encounter inconsistent staffing, communication breakdowns, and delayed care services. Poor-quality care leaves individuals feeling vulnerable and isolated, and families frustrated and anxious.
We are committed to being part of the solution and offering care you can trust when you need it most.  
 
We are a local home care agency, responsive, and here to help. Our management team stays actively involved, ensuring every client and family has a direct line of communication and receives person-centred, compassionate support tailored to their circumstances. 

What You'll Do

Care and support: Give non-discriminatory person-centred care and to support the client in a holistic way, not merely by their care needs. When providing care always listen and observe the client to ensure that their choices are being followed and that their health and wellbeing is maintained. To allow the clients to stay as independent as they are able and assist them to make their own decisions where required.

Follow instructions to provide person centred care as stipulated in the care support plan after obtaining consent from the client. This may include:

All aspects of personal care:

• Showering and bathing
• Dressing and grooming
• Toileting and continence care
• Teeth and dentures

Taking medication:

• Encouraging, reminding; assisting and giving medicines
• Ordering and collecting prescriptions
• Returning unwanted medicines to the pharmacy for safe disposal

Eating and drinking: 

• Helping the client to plan what to eat and drink
• Gentle encouragement and help to eat and drink well
• Shopping, preparing and serving food and drinks
• Clearing the table, washing up and keeping the kitchen area clean and tidy
• Agreeing with the client how to store food safely and dispose of out of date produce

Safely using aids and personal equipment in a manner that maintains the dignity of the client, for example: 

• Standing aids and walking frames
• Wheelchairs, manual and electric hoists
• Sliding sheets and moving boards
• Hearing aids and other physical aids

Domestic chores:

• Sweeping, washing floors and vacuuming
• Laundry and ironing, making beds and changing the linen
• Dusting and general tidying

Social and physical activities or mental stimulation such as:

• Answering the door and greeting visitors
• Answering emergency bells and the telephone
• Writing cards, letters or emails
• Taking a client out shopping, to see their friends or to other activities
• Hobbies and other activities such as reading, games etc.

Supporting a client through temporary and palliative illness, including:

• End of life care
• Hospital appointments
• Liaising with community health support and families

Recording and reporting - Record and report all relevant client information including:

• The person-centred care and support you provide
• Assistance with medication
• Changes to a client’s condition or other concerns
• Faulty equipment or hazards in the home
• Response to emergencies, accidents and incidents
• Safeguarding matters
• Contact with family members, carers and other health and social care professionals
• Other matters as required by LINK DIRECT CARE LIMITED procedures
• Keep all information about clients and their families secure and confidential

Work well as part of the LINK DIRECT CARE LIMITED team:

• Follow company policies, procedures and guidance at all times
• Take part in the monthly staff meetings and other meetings involving not only clients but outside agency representatives, for example social services
• Attend training activities, appraisals and developmental meetings

Training Outcome

Completion of NVQ Level 2 in Health and Social Care.

Skills Required

• Communication skills
• Organisation skills
• Presentation skills
• Number skills
• Initiative
• Follow policies and procedures
• Follow reporting procedures
• Computer literacy
• Working in an emergency
• Care and support clients
• non-discriminatory care
• Self-motivated
• Flexible and reliable
• Excellent time keeper
• Professional
• Good personal hygiene
• Smart appearance

Qualifications

• Essential - GCSE - English - 2
• Essential - GCSE - Maths - 2

Course Information

Course: Adult care worker (level 2)

Level: 2

Route: Care services

Apprenticeship Level: Intermediate

Working Arrangements

Working Week: 30-hours per week, to be worked flexibly in shifts. Work may include evenings and weekends.

Expected Duration: 1 Year

Training Provider: NEW COLLEGE SWINDON