Support Assistant - Req24228

As a Personal Support Assistant, you’ll thrive working in a front line service playing a crucial role within the City by supporting our elderly and vulnerable customers to remain independent in their own homes for as long as possible. 

It’s more than a support role it is contributing to Leeds City Council’s mission to improve quality of life for the elderly and vulnerable who calls Leeds home.

To apply for this role you must be able to drive and have use of a car which would also require business insurance.

Leeds City Council is one of the largest employers in the region with over 14,000 employees. We seek to recruit and develop talented individuals who embody our council values and ambitions.

About you

As a Personal Support Assistant - Companion, you will bring to the role:

• The ability to support the management team in the day-to-day provision of a personal and home support service, which responds to the needs of customers.
• To be responsible for taking remedial action to minimise risk.
• To maintain a high level of confidentiality at all times.
• To work as part of a team and to share best practice with colleagues.
• To work within other teams within Presto when there is a need such as Meals at Home and Cleaning to enable the provision of a full service at all times.

About the role 

By undertaking this role you will be contributing towards Leeds City Councils ambition to be a healthy and caring City helping elderly and vulnerable people live healthy lives for longer.

As our next Personal Service Assistant – Companion you’ll be providing support such as shopping, housekeeping, attending appointments, collecting medication, making referrals to other agencies and companionship in general.

The role is integral to our Presto team, helping us to build Team Leeds, made up of the people who live or work here, to champion the city nationally coming together to play their part helping to improve physical health.

What we offer you

We take pride in offering the best employee experience, with benefits including:

• a competitive salary and annual leave entitlement plus statutory holidays.
• membership of the West Yorkshire Pension Fund with generous employer contributions.
• flexible and hybrid working arrangements subject to service requirements.
• a clear career pathway and continuing professional development opportunities.
• a range of staff benefits to help you boost your wellbeing and make your money go further.

How to apply

Please complete the online application form.

Read our guidance for further advice. Please check your information carefully and ensure you complete all sections before submitting your application. 

If you have any queries or would like an informal chat about the role please contact Melanie Kearney, Presto Business Manager Call 0113 3783750  or email melanie.kearney@leeds.gov.uk

A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check will be carried out on preferred candidates. Read our recruitment of ex-offenders policy.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults.

We promote diversity and want a workforce that reflects the population of Leeds. Leeds City Council is ranked 70 on the Stonewall Equality Index 2023. We are also an age-friendly employer, a Mindful Employer and a Disability Confident Leader.

All new Leeds City Council appointments are made subject to the satisfactory completion of a six-month probationary period.

This role is based in the UK. Employment is conditional on confirmation of the right to work in the UK - either as a UK or Irish citizen, under the EU Settlement scheme or having secured any other relevant work visa. If you do not have the right to work in the UK and the role does not meet eligibility for sponsorship, please consider carefully whether you meet the eligibility to apply.

Job description

Job purpose 

• Under the direction of the Head of service to work as part of a team providing practical, non- registered personal, and domestic services to individual customers in their home environment.
• To provide a range of domestic services including, but not exclusive to, cleaning, cooking, ironing, shopping, companionship, and general domestic support to customers. The collection of cash, prescriptions and pensions may also be required on behalf of the customer.
• Customers will be from a range of backgrounds, but predominately will be older people who may have low to moderate needs. 
• To support other services within the Presto brand on a needs driven basis including Meals on Home and cleaning. 

Responsibilities 

• To support the appropriate manager in the day-to-day provision of a personal and home support service.
• To ensure the delivery of a professional, efficient, and effective personal and home support service which responds to the needs of customers.
• To be responsible for taking remedial action to minimise risk.
• To maintain a high level of confidentiality at all times.
• To support the service in the promotion and delivery of positive solutions to achieve equal opportunities in aspects of service delivery, focusing on equality of outcome.
• To work as part of a team and to share best practice with colleagues.
• To work within other teams within Presto when there is a need such as Meals at Home and Cleaning to enable the provision of a full service at all times.
• To carry out duties in accordance with Council Values.

Essential requirements It is essential that the candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria for the post. Candidates will only be shortlisted for interview if they can demonstrate that they meet all the essential requirements.

Method of Assessment will be through one or more of the following application form, test, interview, and certificates. 

Essential behavioural and other characteristics 

• Understand and embrace Leeds City Council Values and Behaviours and codes of conduct.
• Committed to continuous improvement in all areas and work towards delivering the Best City Ambition of Health & Wellbeing, Inclusive Growth and Zero Carbon.
• Able to understand and observe Leeds City Council equality and diversity policies.
• Carry out all duties having regard to an employee’s responsibility under Health and Safety Policies.
• Willingness to actively participate in training and development activities. 
• Flexible and adaptable to change to assist other services as required commensurate to grade. 
• Participate in appraisals, training, and development activities.
• Be aware of and comply with Leeds City Council policies and procedures.
• Be aware of and support difference and ensure equality for all working in an anti-discriminatory manner, upholding, equality and diversity policies of Leeds City Council. 
• Recognise and appropriately challenge any incidents of racism, bullying, harassment, victimisation, and any form of abuse, reporting any concerns to the appropriate person.
• The Council has adopted a flexibility protocol and the role will be expected to work within these parameters.
• Committed to excellent customer care and putting the customer at the heart of everything you do, and continually improving customer satisfaction.
• Ability to work to time constraints.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills required.
• Willing to abide by the Council’s Equal Opportunities Policy in the duties of the post, and as an employee of the Council.
• Willing to take personal responsibility under and abide by the Council’s Health and Safety Policy.
• Able to ensure the achievement of equal opportunities in both employment and service delivery.
• To be able to work with and work accurately whilst having contact with others who may be verbally abusive, aggressive and demanding.

Desirable requirements It is desirable that the candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria for the post.  Candidates are not required to meet all the desirable requirements however these may be used to distinguish between candidates.

Skills Required

• Ability to work with a wide range of customer and partners.
• Ability to ensure service quality in a multi-disciplined environment and to deliver a culture that continuously seeks to improve standards and performance.
• Ability to produce written document for a range of audiences. 
• Ability to assess risk and put in place plans / actions to mitigate risks.
• Ability to assess individual’s circumstances and respond accordingly.
• Practical caring skills.
• Ability to undertake moving and handling tasks.
• Able to work flexibly across different work locations and areas as appropriate.  

Knowledge Required

• An understanding of the demands of a home support service.

Experience Required

• Experience of ensuring quality and service improvements in a customer facing environment.