Live in carer

Purpose of role

To support customers with all aspects of their day to day living, so they can enjoy the best possible quality of life. Providing care and support is both a challenging and rewarding experience. You will mostly work alone with the customer in their home. Compassion, good communication skills and a calm and caring manner are essential for this important role in our company.

Key responsibility

Safely provide compassionate care and support that is centred on the individual needs and wishes of each customer. Respect customers’ choices and always promote their dignity.

You may be the only person the customer sees over a period of time, it is therefore essential to report any changes or causes for concern to your line manager promptly. You need to be clear about when to seek help and advice in order to keep customers safe and promote their well-being.

Duties

Care and support

Give non-discriminatory care and support that values the diverse and unique qualities of each customer. See the whole person and not merely a list of care needs. Carefully listen and observe how customers prefer their care and support to be delivered on a day-to-day basis. Help them make their own decisions and to be as independent as possible.

Follow instructions in the care and support plan which has been agreed with each customer. This may include:

• All aspects of personal careShowering and bathing

Dressing and grooming
Toileting and continence care
Teeth and dentures

• Taking medicinesEncouraging, reminding; assisting and giving medicines

Ordering and collecting prescriptions
Returning unwanted medicines to the pharmacy for safe disposal

• Eating and drinkingHelping the customer 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Agreeing with the customer how to store food safely and dispose of out-of-date produce

• Safely using aids and personal equipment in a manner that respects the dignity of customers. For exampleStanding and walking frames

Wheelchairs, manual and electric hoists
Sliding sheets and moving boards
Hearing aids and other physical aids

• HouseworkWashing floors, vacuuming and sweeping

Laundry and ironing, making beds and changing the linen
Dusting and general tidying

• Social and physical activities or mental stimulation such asAnswering the door and greeting visitors

Answering emergency bells and the telephone
Writing cards and letters or emails
Taking a customer out shopping, to see their friends or to other activities
Hobbies and recreations such as reading, photo albums, games, etc

• Supporting a customer through temporary and terminal illness, includingEnd of life care

Hospital appointments
Liaising with community health support and families
1-to-1 care and support
Waking Nights

Recording and reporting

• Record and report all relevant customer information includingThe care and support that you provide and assistance with medicines

Changes to a customer’s condition or other concerns
Faulty equipment or hazards in the home
Response to emergencies, accidents and incidents
Safeguarding matters
Contact with families or carers and other professionals
Other matters as required by Grace 247 Care procedures

• Keep all information about customers and their families secure and confidential

Work well as part of the Grace 247 Care team

• Follow Grace 247 Care policies, procedures, and guidance at all times
• Take part in staff and customer meetings
• Attend training activities and appraisal and development meetings

This list is not exhaustive and from time to time you may be required to undertake additional duties. We will provide full training in line with regulatory requirements.

Role specification

This provides a picture of skills, knowledge and experience required to carry out the role. We will use the essential criteria to select suitable applicants for this post. You should demonstrate, using examples where possible, how you meet the essential criteria.

Essential criteria

Personal attributes

Caring and compassionate towards people in need of care and support

Respect for people suffering from a range of medical conditions with different backgrounds and beliefs to your own. Commitment to non-discriminatory care practice

Self-motivated and keen to learn. Willing to seek guidance when needed and follow instructions

Excellent timekeeper and reliable

Good hygiene practice, including personal hygiene, and a smart appearance

Good stamina and a level of fitness to meet the physical demands of the job

Knowledge and understanding

General understanding of the needs of people who require care and support

Respect for the rights of our customers. Understanding the importance of giving the best possible care and support centred on the individual needs and wishes of each customer

Understanding of why confidentiality is important and what this means as a care worker

Experience and skills

Ability to listen, communicate clearly and build positive working relationships with customers, their families, Grace 247 Care staff and other social and health care professionals

Ability to give care and support to customers with aspects of their daily living in a manner that respects their dignity, is non- judgmental and promotes their independence, choices and privacy

Good organisational skills, so customers receive the services they expect

Ability to use own initiative and work alone or as part of a team especially in an emergency

Numerical skills to support customers in managing their money and buying shopping or paying bills when requested to do so

Ability to keep written records in clear English about the care and support given to each customer, including help with medicines

Ability and willingness to follow Grace 247 Care’s policies, procedures and instructions

Additional requirements

Commitment to respecting customers’ rights at all times including their rights to privacy, dignity and independence

Willingness to undertake training. All staff are expected to meet regulatory training standards

This role will require you to obtain an Enhanced satisfactory clearance from the Disclosure and Barring Service formally known as the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) Disclosure

Class 1 business insurance, with no more than 6 points (if using own car for business purposes)

Desirable criteria

NVQ/QCF Level 2 or equivalent

Previous experience as a care worker or as an unpaid carer

Knowledge of how to recognise abuse and safeguarding procedures

Working knowledge of health and safety matters relating to home care

Flexible approach to working

Full drivers’ licence – no more than 6 points

£740 per week + £40 Food allowance

Job Type: Full-time

Salary: £740.00 per week

Benefits:

• Company pension
• Free flu jabs
• On-site parking

Day range:

• Every weekend
• Monday to Friday

Physical setting:

• Live-in

Shift:

• 10 hour shift
• 12 hour shift
• 8 hour shift
• Day shift
• Night shift

Ability to commute/relocate:

• Trowbridge, Wiltshire: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)

Education:

• GCSE or equivalent (preferred)

Experience:

• Home care: 1 year (preferred)

Language:

• English (preferred)

Licence/Certification:

• Driving Licence (preferred)

Work Location: In person