Care worker

Job IntroductionThe HTU provides work experience in horticulture and equine care for adults with learning disabilities and has been providing this service on this site since 1999. The HTU is on the Earth Balance site and has a substantial area of paddocks and fields, as well as glasshouses, polytunnels and gardens. The main focus of the HTU is the production of vegetables for sale to the public. In addition to this the HTU looks after other people’s horses in our stables and paddock and manages a large area of land, including grass cutting, strimming, hedge cutting, log splitting, etc.

The HTU has 6 permanent staff, including this post, and provides a service for up to 18 people per day.

We are advertising for a permanent part time care worker, 15 hours per week. We woud require the successful candidate to work on Wednesdays and Thursdays.

The role
You will provide care, training and support in horticultural and similar work for adults with learning disabilities, including soil preparation, planting and growing of vegetables, and land management. The service aims to promote independence, create opportunities for personal development, and facilitate positive interactions between those who use the service and members of the public. You will work as a keyworker for people who use the service, preparing care plans and risk assessments, keeping records of the work people do, and working closely with other members of the staff team.Essential requirements:
You must be able to work individually or as part of a team to enable and promote independence for people who use the service at the HTU. You will maintain a safe, hygienic and supportive environment in accordance with culture, standards and objectives of the service. You will have a good general education demonstrating good literacy and numeracy. You should also have the following:

• QCF 2 in health and social care - or you will need to work towards this once appointed.
• A commitment to undertake training as required and to professional development.
• The ability to form appropriate relationships quickly.
• An ability to focus upon service users' needs and abilities.
• The ability to work to and follow individual service users plans and risk assessments.
• The ability to use word processing, e-mail and internet software on a PC.
• Excellent communication and literacy skills.
• The ability to produce simple, short and clear case notes.
• You are able to understand and follow written or spoken instructions.
• You are reliable and keep good time.
• You are able to work unsupervised and also as part of a team.
• You understand the need to respect confidentiality, privacy, dignity, independence, choice, rights and fulfilment of service users.
• It would be very helpful if you have a passion for growing plants or vegetables, with some working knowledge and experience of horticulture, particularly grounds work, and that you are also happy to work outdoors and in a wide range of horticultural settings. It would be an advantage if you could drive the HTU van. Experience with garden machinery would also be an advantage.
• Follows and works to policies and procedures, guidance, CQC Standards and keeping to schedules.

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Further information
For guidance on completing your application and for information about our Equality and Diversity principles, please see the attached guidance notes here.

We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer. We operate a guaranteed interview scheme for disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria. If you have a disability and would prefer to apply in a different format, please see the alternative methods below. This information will be treated as confidential and will only be used to check that you meet the essential requirements of the post.

Alternative application format:
British Sign Language: northumberlandcc-cs.signvideo.net
For those with speech difficulties or hearing loss: Text relay service dial 018001 01670 623930

Although we advertise on North East Jobs, and other websites, your application process will be directed to our Tribepad system. Please note that all communication regarding your application for this post will be sent to the email address that you have registered on Tribepad, including your invite to interview if you are shortlisted. Please check your emails regularly, including Spam/Junk, after the closing dates for notifications.