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Job Description: Behaviour Support Worker Respite SC071026
Duration of Post: Permanent Full Time (39 hours per week).
Location: Respite Services
Reporting Relationship: Programme Manager / Service Manager
Job Purpose: The role will support the implementation of Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) approaches and strategies, working collaboratively with individuals, families, support staff and the wider multidisciplinary team.
Scope of the Role: The Behaviour Support Worker provides direct, person-centred support to children attending respite services, particularly children with autism, intellectual disabilities, complex support needs or behaviours of concern. The role promotes each child's wellbeing, dignity, rights, communication, inclusion, safety and quality of life.
Working as part of the respite team and under the guidance of the Behaviour Support Specialist, the post holder helps staff understand what a child may be communicating through their behaviour. They support the consistent implementation of Positive Behaviour Support strategies and Behaviour Support Plans, model practical approaches in the child's everyday environment, and contribute objective observations and data to ongoing assessment and review.
The post holder works closely with families and carers, Children's Disability Network Teams (CDNT), schools and other professionals so that relevant recommendations are understood and applied appropriately within the respite setting.
Key Duties and Responsibilities
Support for children
Provide direct support in line with each child's individual needs, preferences, communication profile, care plan and Behaviour Support Plan (BSP)/ Strategies.
Develop positive, trusting and respectful relationships with children and support them to express their needs, preferences, choices and emotions.
Support children to participate meaningfully in respite activities, routines and community opportunities.
Identify and respond to communication, sensory, emotional, environmental and behavioural needs.
Promote dignity, autonomy, choice, independence, inclusion, safety and quality of life in all aspects of support.
Use agreed proactive strategies to support regulation, engagement, communication and wellbeing.
Positive Behaviour Support
Implement Behaviour Support Plans (BSPs) and Positive Behaviour Support strategies consistently under the guidance of the Behaviour Support Specialist.
Help staff understand and apply individualised strategies.
Model calm, respectful and least restrictive approaches in the child's natural environment.
Provide practical feedback on how strategies are working and support their review through observations and collected information.
Observation and data collection
Observe children within the respite environment to identify factors that may contribute to distress or behaviours of concern.
Complete accurate and objective records using agreed tools, including ABC records and other monitoring methods.
Identify and report patterns, changes, potential triggers, setting events to the Behaviour Support Specialist.
Gather relevant information from staff, families, carers and professionals, in line with consent, confidentiality and information governance requirements.
Staff support
Work alongside staff to build confidence and consistency in supporting children who are distressed or displaying behaviours of concern.
Demonstrate practical strategies and model appropriate, calm and positive responses.
Help staff recognise early signs of anxiety, distress or dysregulation and respond proactively where possible.
Escalate concerns about implementation, risk or changes in behaviour to the Behaviour Support Specialist or service manager.
Follow organisational policies and the child's individual support plans when responding to distress or behaviours of concern.
Support children and staff to maintain safety during periods of distress or escalation.
Use only approaches for which the post holder is trained and authorised, including any restrictive or physical intervention.
Participate in post-incident review and debriefing and report concerns about safety or restrictive practices through the appropriate channels.
Work collaboratively with the Behaviour Support Specialist, respite staff, nurses and other members of the multidisciplinary team.
Liaise appropriately with families and carers, Children's Disability Network Teams, schools, primary care and other professionals involved in supporting the child.
Identify when additional support may be required and raise this with the Behaviour Support Specialist or service manager so that appropriate referral can take place.
Work within the limits of the role, training, competence and delegated responsibilities, seeking advice and supervision when required.
Participate in supervision, team meetings, training and continuing professional development relevant to the role.
Quality, Safety and Governance
Ensure that the people we support receive the highest quality standards of education, training, development and care in accordance with the organisations policies.
Ensure compliance with organisational policies, procedures, national policies and legislation, New Directions standards and any other applicable standards/policies/legislation.
Be accountable for all resources and budgetary provisions within your area of responsibility. Implement appropriate systems to ensure accountability is appropriately
disseminated throughout the service.
Act in such a manner as to ensure a safe and effective work.
Support staff team to ensure that the people we support are facilitated with their planned activities.
Develop contacts within the local community based on the interests of the people that you support, encouraging community integration.
Be a proactive advocate on behalf of the people we support.
It is the duty of all staff to report all concerns about the safety and welfare of each person we support as per section 3.2 of Trust in Care.
Ensure all written records and reports are completed and up to date as appropriate.
Have a strong person-centred vision in the development of vocational and recreational supports in the community.
Effectively and appropriately report and record any complaints and incidents.
Participate in the overall care for the people we support as part of a multidisciplinary team.
Have a good oversight of the personal support plan ensuring it is specific to the individual’s needs and is complied with at all times.
Assist in the provision of a high standard of hygiene and organisation within the day service.
Observe strictly the Code of Confidentiality.
Comply with relevant statutory provisions and take reasonable care for their own safety, health and welfare and that of any other person who may be affected by their acts or omissions at work.
Attend training as required.
Good governance in reporting without delay any defects in equipment, place of work or systems that may danger the safety of any individual.
Good oversight in Incident Reporting and Risk Management.
Any other duties may be assigned from time to time by the Service Manager.
The above Job Specification is not intended to be a comprehensive list of all duties involved and consequently, the post holder may be required to perform other duties as appropriate to the post which may be assigned to him/her from time to time and to contribute to the development of the post while in office.
Qualifications & Experience
Education and Skills
A relevant Level 8 qualification in psychology, social care, intellectual disability, healthcare, education, disability studies or another relevant discipline, or equivalent relevant experience.
· A qualification or further training in Positive Behaviour Support. E.g. MEBS/RBT credential
· Relevant experience Positive Behaviour Support or Behavioural support.
· Experience supporting children with autism, intellectual disabilities, complex support needs and/or behaviours of concern.
· Experience working in a person-centered support environment.
Knowledge of positive, proactive and least restrictive approaches to supporting behaviour.
Experience collecting and interpreting behavioural data and using ABC or other structured recording tools.
Experience implementing and reviewing Behaviour Support Plans.
Experience working within a multidisciplinary team and liaising with families, schools and disability services.
Knowledge of restrictive practice reduction and least restrictive practice.
Ability to demonstrate a strong commitment to the values of Stewarts Care to improve the lives of our service.
Ability to work on own initiative.
Excellent organisational and communication skills.
High initiative and integrity.
Must have knowledge of all relevant legislation and New
Directions standards and a proven ability to implement same.
Demonstrate a genuine interest in supporting the rights and needs of Children with an intellectual disability.
Ability to make clear and concise reports regarding the people we support, either verbally or in writing.
High level of flexibility, a willingness and an ability to develop new approaches to their work as a person’s needs change.
A full clean driving license is an advantage.
This job description is a guide to the general range of duties assigned to the post holder. It is intended to be neither definitive nor restrictive and is subject to periodic review with the employee concerned.
Terms and Conditions of Employment
Behaviour Support Worker – Stewarts Care
Remuneration | Remuneration is in accordance with the Department of Health consolidated pay scales Current Salary Scale: Social Care Worker €40,851- €57,217 incl LSI per annum. Salaries and increments are paid in accordance with DOH salary scales. Salary is paid monthly (16th unless when 16th falls on Saturday or Sunday you are paid on the Friday prior to the 16th) by direct credit transfer into any Bank or Building Society of your choice where the paypath system operates.
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Annual leave | 179.4 hours per annum |
Working week | The hours allocated to this post are 39 hours per week with a 7.8-hour standard working day, excluding lunch breaks. The allocation of these hours will be at the discretion of the Director of Care and in accordance with the needs of the service. |
Probation | All employees will be subject to a probationary period of 6 months, with an extension if required to 9 months. This probationary period applies to all employees irrespective of their role or type of role. |
Garda Vetting | Stewarts Care will carry out Garda vetting on all new employees. An employee will not take up employment with the organisation until the Garda Vetting process has been completed, and the organisation is satisfied that such an appointment does not pose a risk to the service users and employees. |
References | Stewarts Care will seek up to three written references from current and previous employers, educational institutions or any other organisation with which the candidate has been associated. Stewarts Care reserves the right to determine the merit, appropriateness and relevance of such references and referees. |