Apprentice Support Worker

Job Description

What will the apprentice be doing?

• Enable people to learn the skills they need to live the life they choose
• Work with service user support plans to deliver an outcome focused service. This includes developing and delivering their support plan and reviewing the support they receive
• Lead the group in activities
• Training, supporting, and encouraging people to find opportunities in education, employment, leisure and enable them to take part in these opportunities
• Supporting people with their day-to-day travel arrangements
• You will have to keep some written records, using IT systems as required, including support plans, financial information, health and safety records
• Responsible for adult and children’s safeguarding
• Complete risk assessments

What training will the apprentice take and what qualification will the apprentice get at the end?

ADULT CARE WORKER LEVEL 2.

Providing frontline care for vulnerable adults.

• Qualification level 2
• Typical duration 12 months
• Apprenticeship category: Care services

  Also known as:

• Adult Care Worker
• Adult carer
• Care assistant
• Care worker
• Carer
• Personal Assistant

Skills an apprentice will learn:

• Support individuals they are working with according to their personal care / support plan
• Ask for help from an appropriate person when not confident or skilled in any aspect of their role
• Provide individuals with information to enable them to have a choice about the way they are supported
• Encourage individuals to participate in the way their care and support is delivered
• Ensure the individual knows what they are agreeing to regarding the way in which they are supported
• Contribute to the on-going development of care / support plans for the individual they support
• Support individuals with cognitive, physical or sensory impairments
• Ensure dignity is at the centre of all work with the individuals they support, their families, carers and advocates
• Demonstrate all work is person centred, accommodating the individual’s needs, wishes and preferences
• Demonstrate empathy (understanding and compassion) for individuals they support
• Demonstrate courage in supporting people in ways that may challenge their personal / cultural beliefs
• Speak clearly and exhibit positive non-verbal communication to individuals, families, carers and advocates
• Use the preferred methods of communication of the individual they support according to their language, culture, sensory needs and their wishes
• Identify and take steps to reduce environmental barriers to communication
• Demonstrate they can check for understanding
• Write clearly and concisely in records and reports
• Keep information safe and confidential according to agreed ways of working
• Recognise potential signs of different forms of abuse
• Respond to concerns of abuse according to agreed ways of working
• Recognise, report and challenge unsafe practices
• Promote the health and wellbeing of the individual they support
  Move people and objects safely
• Demonstrate how to reduce the spread of infection, including use of best practice in hand hygiene
• Demonstrate the promotion of healthy eating and wellbeing by ensuring individuals have access to fluids, food and nutrition
• Demonstrate how to keep people, buildings and themselves safe and secure
• Carry out fire safety procedures when required
  Use risk assessments to support individuals safely
• Recognise symptoms of cognitive impairment, e.g. Dementia, learning disabilities and mental health
• Monitor and report changes in health and wellbeing for individuals they support
• Reflect on your own work practices
• Demonstrate the development of their own skills and knowledge, including core skills in writing, numbers and information technology
• Demonstrate their contribution to their development plan
• Demonstrate ability to work in partnership with others to support the individual
• Identify sources of support when conflicts arise with other people or organisations
• Demonstrate they can work within safe, clear professional boundaries
• Show they can access and apply additional skills required to perform the specific job role competently

A minimum of 8 hours off the job training will be carried out in the workplace.

What is the expected career progression after this apprenticeship?

You will be fully qualified as a Support Worker with the experience needed to work in many Health and Social Care settings.