WANTED STAFF TO SUPPORT AUTISTIC ADULTS

The Kent Autistic Trust are looking to recruit staff on a short to medium term basis to work in small residential dwellings or supported living flats throughout Medway, Swale and Ashford. In addition, we are looking to build our bank staff list and we also have permanent roles available.

Due to current requirements which require care home providers to restrict all but essential movement of staff between settings we are keen to avoid staff shortages. All our environments are Covid19 secure, and we have stringently adopted all the Covid19 secure guidelines set by the government. We also have an exemplary track record of providing quality care with all services rated good by CQC and a number of our services being outstanding. Infection rates of those we support have been extremely low.

Who are we looking for?

Importantly, we cannot take staff who will continue to hold other employment in a frontline care or health setting but employment elsewhere is unlikely to be a problem, and would be risk assessed.

Ideally you will have experience of adults or children with learning disabilities or autism. You may be a care worker, nurse, teacher, teaching assistant or recreational instructor or you may have family experience of supporting people with autism. If you have a caring disposition, whatever, your background, which could be hospitality, retail etc, we would like to hear from you now if you would like to help us to support our family of autistic adults.

New recruits work alongside experienced specialist staff to support adults with autism. Our work is very rewarding. Many of those we support have been cared for by our staff for a number of years. Having caring staff to support our service users ensures their world is made a little easier. Despite the importance that some autistic people place on structure, the happiness and wellbeing of those in our care remains very positive.

It is important that we have sufficient staff to keep those we support fully engaged with activities, whether it be arts and crafts, games or helping them to undertake every normal day tasks such as cooking and cleaning. There are some personal care requirements, but only those with prior care experience would be assigned such responsibilities as the dignity of those we support is paramount. Some service users have medical conditions such as epilepsy and others are non-verbal, so prior experience with supporting people with a range of medical conditions and communications needs is desirable but not essential as they will continue to be supported by specialist staff. What is essential is a caring heart, a duty of care and a willingness to work as part of a team.

As a 24/7 business, we have a need for staff to undertake varying hours, including early mornings, days, late evenings and weekends. Hours will be dependent on needs, but we need full, part time and also casual hours. Whatever you can spare!

Our casual rate starts at £10.25 ph and we pay £11.00 ph for waking night staff.

Please apply as detailed below or if you\'d prefer a friendly chat please email RECRUITMENT@KENTAUTISTIC.COM WITH YOUR NAME AND CONTACT NUMBER AND WE WILL CONTACT YOU.

For those looking for permanent opportunities, we would prefer to appoint drivers, as the logistics of our work necessitates transporting the people we support to appointments, activities or days out. However, a driving licence is not always an essential criteria for every role but may be an overriding selection criteria.

Staff also need to have a sufficient level of fitness as our work involves assisting people, we support with activities such as swimming which would involve you entering the pool or participating in activities such as walking or cycling. However, these activities may be limited at present due to Covid19 restrictions.

Tasks / Responsibilities of a Support Worker:

The Support Worker role may include but not be limited to:

o Support individuals within the community in activities such as bike rides, long walks and shopping,
o Uphold their privacy, confidentially and dignity
o Assisting individuals with personal care and hygiene
o Administering medication
o Household management tasks cooking, cleaning etc.
o Handle money to shop, going to the bank etc
o Working with individuals who can display challenging behaviours hurting self or others, running away, throwing things, swearing, shouting.
o Working with and supporting individuals with additional needs, such as epilepsy, pica, learning disabilities.
o To form good working relationships with other members of staff across different services.
o May include lone working
o Ensuring written records are correctly maintained
o Drive an individuals mobility car or service vehicle Manual Licence required.


Qualities of a Support Worker:

o Understanding everyone\'s abilities and support needs
o Promoting independence and choice
o Promoting equality, diversity and inclusion
o Form good working relationships with other members of staff
o A commitment to continuous personal development and learning.


PERMANENT STAFF BENEFITS:

We offer many benefits, which include some salary sacrifice arrangements, although some benefits are dependent on a minimum earnings threshold:

o Paid DBS Check
o 28 days holiday, rising to 33 days after 1 year (Pro Rata for Part Time Positions)
o Company Sick Pay after 12 months service
o Death in Service Benefits
o Some meals provided, depending on shifts
o Long Service and Contribution Recognition Awards
o Pension (after 3 months)
o Employee Assistance Programme, with counselling services
o Significant Retail and Leisure Discount Scheme that could save staff an average of £1,000 pa
o Discounted Gym Membership
o Financial Well-being Scheme (loans and savings)
o Voluntary sleep-ins
o Opportunities to pick up additional voluntary casual shifts at enhanced rates
o Superb paid training
o Regulated Care Qualification Sponsorship
o Refer a Friend Recruitment Bounty (currently £500)
o We also have plans to introduce both a Cycle to Work Scheme and a Car Lease Scheme


About the Trust:

Supporting over 120 people in Medway and across Kent, The Kent Autistic Trust provides a wide range of services designed to meet diverse needs of the people we support with autism, learning disabilities and related difficulties. We provide residential homes, supported living accommodation, day resource services, respite, and outreach services. Ensuring the voice of those we support is actively listened to, working for us often means that no two days are the same, but the care and support we give is of consistently high quality, with CQC rating all our services good, and many outstanding.

Our Values and Commitment:

KAT is committed to providing high quality supports designed around individual abilities, needs and choices. KAT is committed to promoting independence and inclusion within communities. KAT believes everyone is able to make their own individual contribution. KAT seeks to work in partnership with all relevant parties but in particular with the individual themselves.

We seek Support Workers who really value every person, whether it\'s the people we support, their families, carers, or other staff by respecting their priorities, needs, abilities and limits.

We hope you are one of them!

We do not accept applications made via agencies for Support Workers.

Please find attached a copy of our Privacy Notice. Or a copy can be found on our website.