SBC asks volunteers to become paid Relief support workers during the covid crisis
A message from Scottish Borders Council to people who currently volunteer.
As we are all aware, the Omicron Covid-19 variant has spread rapidly throughout Scotland. The Scottish Government and Health Protection Scotland are monitoring the situation closely and regularly announcing new guidance to help stop the spread of the virus.
As cases, absences and self-isolations start to rise along with a number of vacancies we need to prepare urgently for the potential impact this may have on Social Care services across the Scottish Borders.
Contingency plans have been developed to make sure critical services can continue to be delivered and as part of that, we are looking across all our partners for people to step forward looking for temporary or permanent work in care to support the sector throughout the crisis.
We are keen to hear from anyone who wants to play their part and help us at this critical time. The area in most need is our support worker role.
A support worker plays a vital role in supporting service users to meet their needs as identified in their personal support plan. This may involve working in either a buildings-based service or in the community visiting service users’ own homes. Tasks include:
• supporting, enabling and involving clients in all aspects of their lives, including personal hygiene, eating, drinking and mobility
• working as part of a team to ensure a person centred approach and creating a positive working atmosphere
• developing effective and appropriate communication skills with clients, staff and other carers/ families.
We are looking for people who are:
• able to work with others in ways that are positive and helpful
• enthusiastic and motivated
• responsive, responsible and reliable
• ready, willing and able to undertake new experiences, and
• have personal confidence to support individuals to participate in a range of activities.
We will put you through key induction and training with a number of sessions being online e-learning and a few face to face assessed training points. You will also be given the opportunity to shadow a qualified carer for additional support.
If you have been PVG checked that would be helpful, but not essential. We will pay for any PVG checks required this is done online and currently takes approx 10 days.
All volunteers will be offered a Relief Support Contract on the same rate as permanent staff, at the following pay rate:
Grade 4D
Hourly Rate: £10.52 – £11.24
Salary: £20,296.26 – £21,685.34 pro rate per annum (based on 37 hpw)
If you would like to register to work with us, please contact:
askhr@scotborders.gov.uk with your note of interest and contact details, preferably with an email address and mobile number along with name of company you are volunteering from. We will get back to you as a matter of priority. You can also find out more about the role by contacting:
• Jill Middlemiss: jill.middlemiss@scotborders.gov.uk
• Allida Scott: allida.scott@scotborders.gov.uk
We are also planning to hold a webinar session were you will be able to ask any questions you may have – contact Jill or Allida to find out more.
By offering your support, you can make a significant difference, not just to some of our most vulnerable residents and those we care for, but to colleagues and the wider community we serve.