Job Description

About Natural Ability

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Natural Ability is a Registered Charity and Company Limited by Guarantee providing agricultural and animal care work, arts, crafts and cookery skills training, and other skills development, education and Supported Living for adults with learning disabilities.

Natural Ability aims to:

• Support the personal development and autonomy of people with learning disabilities.

• Offer work which is meaningful, productive, dignified and challenging.

• Develop environmentally sustainable ways of living and working.

• Ensure that people with disabilities are seen as an important part of the community.

 

Job Purpose:

This role will involve 1-1 supporting an adult with learning and other disabilities to undertake activities both indoors and outdoors including horticulture, living & independence skills, digital skills, crafts, art, cooking, health & wellbeing, social interaction and other similar activities. Working under the guidance of the Day Services Manager and the Centre Activity supervisor, the role will actively promote the independence and skills development of the adult you are supporting. You will be required to provide personal care to the individual you are supporting.

Part of this job role will require you to drive our caddy van to collect and drop off the attendee. Due to the nature of our vehicle insurance, you must be aged 25 or over and held a full clean driving license for at least a year. 

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The Orchard Centre Day Services

The Orchard Centre currently runs day services on Monday, Wednesday & Thursday and offers a range of work experience, training & opportunities and qualifications for adults with learning disabilities, including those with complex needs. Activities include, but are not limited to, gardening, environmental studies, arts, crafts, cooking, travel training, first aid, emotional skills & relationships, nutrition, exercise, graphics & design, drama & media.

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Main Duties and Responsibilities:

1. To support an adult with learning disabilities to partake in the activities in day services.

   1. Work with the centre activity supervisor and wider staff team to deliver programmed activities.

   2. Encourage people who attend sessions to interact with others where appropriate and work as a team as far as they are able. 

   3. Support the Centre activity supervisor to manage incidents of challenging behaviour which may be experienced by people who attend sessions in a respectful and positive way.

2. To support with the monitoring of individual progress and the overall effectiveness of the Day Service.

   1. Support the centre activity supervisor to Monitor and record each session completing the appropriate administration to ensure this is captured.

   2. Gather information and evaluation data as required to contribute to setting, monitoring and reviewing individuals’ personal goals.

3. Partnership Working

   1. To establish and maintain a positive relationship with members of the communities in which Natural Ability Day Services operate in.

   2. To establish and maintain positive relationships with people with disabilities, their families and carers. 

   3. To work effectively with external colleagues where someone using the service requires additional support.  

4. Manage Health & Safety and Risk

   1. To understand the principles of Safeguarding and reporting. 

   2. To ensure risk assessments are read and understood for clients and activities. 

   3. To ensure that Health and Safety and all other Policies and Procedures are followed. 

   4. To ensure the day service vehicles are checked prior to each use to ensure they are safe, legal and maintained to an appropriate standard. 

   5. To use equipment and resources safely to meet needs of the service. 

5. Other duties as required by business need

   1. To actively promote inclusive practice to ensure acceptance of people with disabilities in the community. 

   2. To have challenging expectations that encourage people to act independently and build self-esteem. 

   3. Attend and participate in staff meetings and participate in supervision and appraisal as required.

   4. Follow financial procedures. 

   5. Participate in training and development, and activities that contribute to the management of performance.

   6. Comply with all Natural Ability policies and procedures in all aspects of work. 

   7. Maintain confidentiality according to Natural Ability’s policies and procedures. 

   8. Undertake other duties and responsibilities as required commensurate with the grade of the post.

 

Benefits of working with Natural Ability:

• Competitive pay rates.

• Mileage allowance.

• Fully paid induction.

• Support with personal development.

• Employer contribution pension scheme.

• Employee Assistance Programme.

• 24 hours’ management and on call support.

• Employee Discount scheme

 

Person Specification 

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Skills,  Knowledge, qualifications 

Essential  

Excellent communication skills. 

Ability to work well with people with learning and other disabilities. 

Understanding of the needs of vulnerable people. 

Knowledge of issues around Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults. 

Understanding of needs of working in a rural environment.  

Understanding of Confidentiality. 

Ability to travel to meet the requirements of the post. 

Good IT skills. 

Must have held a clean driving license for at least 1 year and be aged 25 or over.

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Desirable  

Level 3 NVQ/other qualification in related discipline. 

HSAW First Aid Certificate or equivalent. 

Moving and Handling training. 

Qualification in specific non-verbal communication aids eg Makaton. 

Current UK driving licence (category B/BE) with access to a suitable vehicle with business-use insurance.

D1 minibus licence & MiDAS training.

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Experience 

Essential

Experience of supporting groups of individuals

Planning activities / sessions for groups.

 

Desirable 

Working with and for people with disabilities, including personal care as required.

Arts and crafts skills.

Cooking skills.

Digital, graphics & design skills.

Volunteer staff management. 

Supporting individuals with learning disabilities to access the community. 

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Personal qualities 

Commitment to the ethos of Natural Ability. 

Willingness to participate in development and training opportunities. 

Creativity.

Able to practically demonstrate any required skills to clients.

Commitment to excellent care for disabled people. 

Commitment to the participation and empowerment of people with disabilities. 

Reliability. 

Conscientious and motivated. 

Demonstrate a positive, buoyant, flexible approach to work. 

 

 

Natural Ability is committed to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults and all successful applicants will need to submit to a DBS check at the Enhanced level.