These duties are to be carried out in the context of Together’s value system and in compliance with the best of care practice and as outlined in the General Social Care Council’s Code of Conduct for Social-care Workers.

This post reports to the Project Manager.

The Social-care Worker is expected to demonstrate the following competencies in carrying out his/her duties:

Support people who use the service

• Work with service-users in a way that promotes their equality, diversity and rights.
  
• Develop relationships with the people that use the service and establish and maintain effective communication with these people.
  
• Obtain information about people who use the service, assess their needs and contribute to the planning about how these needs can be met, passing information to others on a need-to-know basis only.
  
• Contribute to the protection of individuals from abuse.

Contribute to team work

• Make a positive contribution to and work constructively within the team.
  
• Contribute to the development of others in the team.
  
• Develop your own abilities to enhance work performance.

Contribute to activities

• Work in a way that ensures the service is delivered in compliance with relevant legislation, Together’s values, policies and practices and contractual requirements.
  
• Keep appropriate records of work and communications and file them appropriately.
  
• Promote, monitor and maintain health and safety and security in the workplace.

Confidentiality

• Any information relating to service-users acquired in the course of duty must be treated in the strictest confidence and discussed only within the house with the appropriate members of staff.

• Any information relating to staff acquired in the course of duty must be treated in the strictest confidence and discussed only with the Project Manager or, in his or her absence, with the most senior staff member on duty.

This list is not exhaustive and amendments and additions may be required in line with future policy changes.

Equal-opportunities statement
Together welcomes diversity in the people we provide a service to and in our workforce.  Diversity is not just seen as something to aim for but as something to be valued and an asset in delivering different services to different people.

Together recognises that certain groups and individuals are discriminated against in society and is committed to ensuring that equal opportunity becomes an integral feature of all its activities. Together aims to eliminate discrimination on grounds of ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, AIDS/HIV status, disability, age and history of mental health and addiction problems.

All employees are required to comply with Together’s equal-opportunities policy and cooperate with measures introduced by the Board of Trustees to implement and monitor it. Failure to do so will result in disciplinary action.

Any employee having a complaint of discrimination or harassment is encouraged to raise the matter under Together's grievance procedure. The complaint will be fully examined and all possible action taken to eradicate the problem.

All Together appointments and promotions will be made in accordance with the equal-opportunities policy.

Person specification
In addressing each of these criteria, candidates must evidence their statements - it is not sufficient to state that you possess the competence

Shortlisting criteria

Essential 

1 At least 21 years old.
2 A minimum of one year’s experience of mental health work.  
3 Experience of implementing service-user involvement in a service. 
4 Evidence of leadership and supervisory skills. 
5 Ability to work flexibly including evenings, sleep-ins and weekends 
6 Communication skills
7 A commitment to promoting user choice
8 An understanding of the needs and experiences of people with serious mental health problems 

Desirable
9 Domestic skills
10 An understanding of care planning 
11 An understanding of discrimination and its effects 
12 An understanding of team work 
13 An ability to work independently  
14 Evidence of training and learning  
15 Administrative and financial skills  
16 A knowledge of the benefits system

Where candidates lack the competencies identified as ‘desirable’ in the person specification, they will be required to address these as a priority if appointed to the post.   

Interested?
Then check our list of current vacancies regularly.