Care/Support Practitioner

Introduction Highland Home Carers (HHC) was founded in 1994. We are a vibrant and forward-looking organisation. We have grown to become one of the major independent providers of home care and support services in Scotland. We currently employ over 350 staff and have a financial turnover of around £8 million. Our company has been owned by our employees since 2004. The business is governed and led by a Board of Directors, made up of four executive directors and three elected employee directors. We are a private limited company, with a strong commercial focus. We provide a range of services for adults in various locations across the Highlands: • Care at Home • Support Work • Housing Support • Supported Living Services Job Purpose As a Support Practitioner you will provide person centred care and support, which includes the delivery of personal care, enabling, maintaining and looking after the general wellbeing of vulnerable people in our communities, always respecting the human rights of the people you work with and behaving in a professional manner. Main Duties • Work in accordance with Personal Plans through ongoing discussion with, and under the direction of the Assistant Service Manager and designated professional staff; to help meet the individuals’ physical, social and emotional needs. • Assist/enable people we support with personal activities such as washing, bathing, personal hygiene, taking medication, dressing, shaving, toileting, continence care and meal preparation ensuring their dignity is respected at all times. • Assist/enable people we support to acquire mobility skills and transferring safely e.g. from bed to chair, always following moving and handling protocols/risk assessments • Assist/enable people we support with cleaning, laundry, shopping and other household duties as required promoting their independence where possible. • Using discretion, prompt and support where a person we support is physically able to carry out tasks but due to cognitive, mental health or behavioural issues is unwilling or unable to carry out these tasks. • Assist/enable and support people we support to comply with their prescribed medication and to maintain records as required. • Enable people we support to maintain a healthy diet and shop appropriately for the specific needs of the people we support while also respecting their right of choice. • Ensure that the handling of the people we support’s finances and money is in accordance with HHC policies and procedures. • Provide support to people we support to ensure that they are able to budget effectively to meet the costs of their chosen social, educational or leisure activities, including all activities of daily living • Ensure whilst on shift the people we support’s home is kept clean and tidy and that household duties are kept up to date. • Supporting the individual to maintain their tenancy & reporting any issues to the relevant agency. • Ensuring that the outdoor space of the individual’s tenancy is maintained and kept tidy. • Build positive, professional relationships with people we support and other members of the support team. • Respect confidentiality at all times and clearly explain HHC Policies about confidentiality to people we support and other colleagues. • Work at part of the wider team ensuring that you communicate regularly and as necessary with colleagues. • Work with people we support to engage appropriately with their families, friends and other professionals and individuals interested in their welfare. • Contribute to enhancing the leisure and social life of the people we support and contribute to case conferences and reviews where appropriate. • Provide factual and legible daily written reports on all people we support in accordance with Highland Home Carers’ guidelines on privacy and confidentiality. • Report immediately any change in pattern of behaviour or other significant health change or event to the Assistant Service Manager and/or relevant health professional. • Submit timesheets, expense claims and reports at times requested. • Be prepared to be flexible & provide cover for other Support Practitioners if they are absent from work. • You may be required to undertake any other duties reasonable and appropriate to the level of the post as directed by the Assistant Manager, Service Manager, Practice Support Technician or any other member of HHC management. Personal/Professional Responsibilities • Become registered with the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) within the required timeframe and demonstrate good standards of work practice in accordance with the National Care Standards and SSSC’s Code of Practice. • Undertake any job-related training requested by HHC and attend review meetings as required. • Wear uniform issued by HHC and wear other clothing appropriate to the job respecting at all times people we support’s personal/religious preferences and beliefs. • Use Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), in line with guidance, such as disposable gloves, masks, aprons and shoe covers, maintaining and controlling personal stock of equipment and materials. • Ensure communication folders are kept tidy and report any changes to the Practice Support Technician/Assistant Manager. • Health & Safety is an integral part of any role within HHC. As such we would expect that you are aware of risks and work within our Health and Safety Policies. • Make yourself familiar with Violent Incident and Accident reporting procedures and comply with them. • Declare issues that might create conflicts of interest ensuring that they do not influence your judgment or practice. • Adhere to HHC Policies and procedures about accepting gifts and money from people we support. • Ensure that you never discriminate against people we support, colleagues or other health professionals. • Respect and adopt HHC’s Values in everything you do.