RESIDENTIAL ASSISTANT

About us Strides Katherine Price Hughes House (Strides KPH) is an Independent Approved Premises commissioned by the Ministry of Justice. Approved Premises (APs) contribute to the effective risk management of men released from prison by providing an enhanced level of supervision, monitoring and rehabilitation within the community.

The post requires experience of working with complex and vulnerable people and an understanding of residential setting within the Criminal Justice System.

Job Description

Strides is looking for a reliable and experienced Residential Assistant to join our team. 

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Assist in the supervision of residents in accordance with policy and practice under the direction and guidance of managers and relevant staff where necessary. Deal with routine issues raised by residents on a day-to-day basis.
• Staff and supervise the Approved Premises during designated shifts, referring serious incidents to designated on-call Manager and adhere to the procedure of completing incident reports as necessary.
• Ensure enforcement of Approved Premises rules and deal with any breaches in accordance with procedures. Respond appropriately to abusive or aggressive behaviour.
• Demonstrate pro-social modelling skills by consistently reinforcing pro-social behaviour and attitudes and challenging anti-social behaviour and attitudes
• Liaise with Key Workers, Deputy Manager and Manager as appropriate to share issues concerning residents.
• Process information and maintain records including inputting information on the database system by recording any significant occurrences relating to residents during shift.
• Contribute to the work with substance misusers in accordance with relevant policies, practices and protocols e.g. dispensing/recording medication, drug/alcohol testing if requested by the management team
• Answering the telephone and door and deal with any callers to the Approved Premises including monitoring the work of contractors’ accordance with procedures.
• To monitor and record residents’ movements in and out of the building.
• Contribute to the maintenance of a healthy, safe and productive work environment, including familiarising and using appropriate health and safety equipment. Monitor and record Health and Safety checks and related issues.
• Create effective and maintain effective working relationships.
• To represent the Approved Premises and West London Mission in a professional and competent manner. To attend supervision and appraisal meetings as required.
• Participate in training and development activities.
• Report any maintenance or security issues in accordance with procedures.
• Conduct curfew checks, wellbeing checks, fire alarm tests, room searches, clearing of residents’ room as required and monitor CCTV equipment.
• Maintain an active presence in the AP at all times. Regularly engage with residents in a pro-social manner. Contribute towards the protection of residents, e.g. monitor in line with risk assessments.
• Support the arrangement and delivery of purposeful activities for residents within the premises and undertake effective induction of residents.
• Undertake First Aid if a resident is injured or self-harms.
• The Approved Premises managers may require such duties commensurate with the responsibilities of the post and grade as.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

We seek Residential Assistants who can demonstrate the following competencies to a high level. We will be looking for evidence of all the following key competencies during the selection process, if you are shortlisted.

Client focus

Demonstrates consideration and respect to all stakeholders and acts in accordance with Strides' diversity values.

Organisation and planning

The ideal candidate is self-motivated with a high level of time management and is able to meet conflicting deadlines whilst still producing a high level of quality.

Proactivity and initiative

Demonstrates an ability to challenge the current operating procedures with suggestions of their own.

Communication

In both oral and written format, the ideal candidate will demonstrate clarity and concise delivery using appropriate language.

Team Work

Self-aware, approachable and reliable. Is able to build lasting working relationships.

Administration and IT

Able to manage databases (or information) accurately in paper and electronic formats, and is compliant with data protection laws and confidentiality.

Reasoning and problem-solving

Ability to respond appropriately to challenges and implement new ideas to solve and overcome problems.

Work with external agencies

Liaises and works well with external agencies and contacts.

Please use your application to demonstrate your capacities in relation to each of the criteria listed in the sections below. Please address the criteria in your application in the order they appear.

Experience

Minimum 5 GCSEs at Grade C or above (including English and Maths), or equivalent qualification or relevant work experience with the ability to evidence high level numeracy and literacy skills needed to read, understand and interpret policies and the ability to write reports and correspondence for internal and external stakeholders.

Experience of working with a diverse range of people who have understanding of a range o social and persona difficulties, ideally those with experience of the Criminal Justice System.

Experience of working in a residential setting

Experience of working with people with challenging behavior

Knowledge

An understanding of the underlying issues which contribute to offending behaviour

Understanding of the risk management of service users

Understanding of good Health and Safety practice

Understanding of good anti-discriminatory practice

Skills & Abilities

Good oral, written, administration and IT communication skills

Ability to work as part of a team

Ability to relate to residents in both support and authority roles

Ability to prioritise workload and manage time effectively

Commitment to the values of Strides and an understanding of its ethos

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: £29,269.00 per annum

Benefits:

• Company pension
• Cycle to work scheme
• Life insurance
• On-site parking
• Sick pay

Schedule:

• 12 hour shift

Ability to commute/relocate:

• Islington, N5 2EA: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)

Education:

• GCSE or equivalent (preferred)

Work Location: In person