Support Worker

The Whiteley Homes Trust the Trust is a charity that manages Whiteley Village in Surrey. The purpose of the charity is to provide homes for older people of limited means from all over the country. Founded over a hundred years ago in Walton on Thames, Surrey, the Village is located in 225 acres of beautiful grounds and is a very special place to live and work.

Established in 1917 the village has many Grade 2 listed buildings and provides housing for nearly 400 older people of limited means. There are 265 Almshouses and 51 extra care apartments and the Village also has a church, social and leisure club, shop and café.

Huntley House is CQC Registered Extra Care Accommodation in the heart of the Village. The Support Workers provide high quality, person-centred emergency care and support to individuals living in extra care accommodation 24 hours a day 7 days a week. This includes supporting people with complex needs to live as independently as possible, promoting dignity, choice, and wellbeing in line with CQC regulations and best practice standards.

Reporting to the Senior Support Worker, you will also be responsible for organising and running social activities for residents to increase social interaction, combat loneliness and improve wellbeing.

The role will have a close working relationship with the Housing, Property and Community teams.

Day and night shifts are 12.25 hours

Full time employees work an average of 3 shifts a week on a rolling 8 week rota, including 3 weekends out of 8.

Part time roles have fewer shifts per week but all shifts are 12.25 hours and included in the 8 week rolling rota.

Benefits of working at Whiteley Village

34 days annual leave (including Bank holidays)

Pension scheme

Blue Light Discount

Life Assurance

Employee Assistance Programme

Free car parking on site

Main Responsibilities

Support Delivery

• Provide emergency personal care and support in line with individual care plans.
• Support residents with mobility, nutrition, hygiene and first aid, in emergency situations.
• Promote independence, self-confidence, and community engagement with all Huntley House residents.
• Monitor and respond to changes in physical or emotional wellbeing, raising concerns to line manager/ registered manager to activate a social services of NHS professional referral
• Plan, coordinate, advertise run and evaluate activities within Huntley House that prevent loneliness, create space of community interaction and promotion of physical, psychological, social and spiritual wellbeing.
• Ensure both quantitative and qualitative date and evidence is collated from these activities.
• Work collaboratively with the housing and community teams across the village in Trust wise initiatives.
• Work in collaboration with the Volunteer Manager to effectively utilise and support volunteers working within Huntley House.

Enhanced Care Responsibilities

• Work with individuals with higher support needs in an emergency until either a hospital transfer is arranged, or a package of care is mobilised by social services.
• Use de-escalation techniques and positive behaviour support strategies when necessary.
• Follow risk assessments and safeguarding protocols at all times.

Communication & Documentation

• Maintain accurate and up-to-date records using digital or paper-based systems.
• Ensure regular reviews of personalised care plans are undertaken as agreed with the Registered Manager.
• Report concerns to senior staff and contribute to care plan reviews with residents and their families/Guardians as appropriate.
• Communicate effectively with residents, families, professionals, and colleagues.
• Escalate appropriately to out of hours services, GPs, ambulance services, District nursing services, if a residents health deteriorates.
• Participate in resident engagement meetings when requested.
• Demonstrate and evidence robust clear communication of events to all residents in Huntley House.

Compliance & Quality

• Ensure all care is delivered in line with CQC standards and The Whiteley Homes Trust policies.
• Participate in audits, inspections, and quality improvement processes.
• Uphold confidentiality, safeguarding, and data protection standards.
• Ensure professional boundaries are maintained at all times,
• Inform the senior carer or registered manager of any concerns regarding residents or care standards in a timely manner.

Teamwork & Development

• Participate in team meetings, supervision, and training.
• Share good practice and support new or less experienced colleagues.
• Reflect on your own practice and seek continuous improvement.
• Be committed to completing mandatory training as requested.

Right to Work:

Please note that you must have the right to work in the UK without the need for visa sponsorship. Unfortunately, we are not able to offer sponsorship, as we do not hold a sponsorship licence.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Experience and skills

Essential

• Previous experience in health and social care
• Understanding of person-centred support and safeguarding
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to socially motivate older adults and be confident planning and running social activities
• Confident in autonomous and lone working
• Flexibility to work 12.25 hour shifts including weekends and bank holidays
• Ability to build strong relationships with residents and their families, colleagues and external stakeholders
• A passion for creating a positive and inclusive community environment

Desirable

• Experience working in a CQC-regulated service
• Experience supporting older adults with care needs, complex needs or behaviours that challenge
• Strong understanding of the needs of elderly residents and a commitment to enhancing their quality of life

Qualifications

• Care Certificate
• Level 2 or 3 Diploma in Health & Social Care or the willingness to study for this
• Enhanced DBS

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