Support Worker - Queen Mother House (Mental Health Services)

VSA is a well-respected local social care charity, helping support the people of Aberdeen for over 150 years.

Our mission is to provide the best of care to enable the best of lives; supporting individuals and communities to fulfil their potential.

VSA provides vital support and services to people of all ages. At VSA we support a person’s physical, mental, emotional and social wellbeing through a range of residential and outreach support services.

Working in social care is a hugely rewarding career, and you can help change the lives of vulnerable children and adults. At VSA, we are looking for motivated and compassionate individuals to join our team.

VSA currently have an exciting opportunity available to join our Queen Mother House (Mental Health Service) as a Support/Care Worker based in Aberdeen. This will be a Part-time, Permanent position supporting the care of our residents and in return, you will receive a competitive salary and benefits.

Hours: 28 hours per week

Working Pattern/Rota: Working to a rota over 7 days, working 4 days over 7 days including late and early shifts, including every second weekend working. In addition, you will be expected to do between 2-4 sleepovers per month, for which an additional sleepover allowance will be paid per night. Flexibility is key if you are applying for this role.

Post status: Permanent – Part-time

Rate of pay: £12.20 per hour

We offer our Staff fantastic benefits including:

• Company pension
• Employee assistance programme
• Generous annual leave
• Refer a friend programme - Receive £200 when you introduce a family member or friend to VSA
• Investment in your personal development and career through our learning and development programmes
• Access to our employee discount scheme

Service Information:

Queen Mother House provides long-term residential placements and 24-hour support for adults with ongoing and enduring mental health conditions. The main aim of the service is to promote independence and this is achieved by providing recovery-focused support, based on each individual’s needs and requirements.

Purpose of Role:

To contribute to the provision of quality services to meet the needs of service users, according to agreed VSA standards, policies and regulatory requirements.

Roles & Responsibilities:

• Communicating effectively with individuals according to agreed standards and procedures, accessing and updating records in keeping with guidelines.
• Helping to provide a safe and protective environment by complying with health, safety, and security procedures, including medication, and reporting accidents/incidents when appropriate.
• Supporting service users in their daily living, according to their recognised and agreed needs, providing personal care where necessary, adhering to practices which promote well-being, choice, and treating people with dignity and respect.
• Assisting service users in developing and maintaining social networks and relationships.
• Assisting and encouraging service users to develop skills and knowledge to live as independently as possible, if appropriate, with reference to the risk assessment process.
• Participating in the development, implementation and review of personal plans with service users.
• Supporting service users appropriately when they experience a significant life change or loss.
• Developing one’s knowledge and practice continuously through participation in training and development activities.
• Carrying out any other tasks from time to time, provided they are reasonable and within the postholder’s capabilities.
• Have awareness and work within internal control systems in your area to facilitate improvement in the quality of service provided.

Qualifications/Training/Education:

Essential: Willingness and ability to achieve SCQF Level 6 in Social Services and Healthcare within 3 years of appointment or as determined by VSA.

Desirable: SCQF Level 6 in Social Services and Healthcare, Food Hygiene certificate

Experience: Experience of working in a busy environment

Key Skills/Aptitudes:

Ability to communicate well verbally with individuals, Ability to write short reports

Personal Qualities:

Approachable, Ethical, Non-judgemental, Team-worker, Health and Safety aware, Client Focused, Organised

Other Job Requirements:

To comply with the registration and qualification requirements as laid down by the Scottish Social Service Council (SSSC) and to strictly adhere to the SSSC Codes of Practice.

Ability to deal with difficult behaviour following VSA standards and procedures.