Positive Behaviour Support Practitioner - Part TimeNHS

Job summary

There are few better opportunities to learn about people than by getting to know someone who experiences the world differently from you.

Working with autistic people can challenge our assumptions about communication, perception, emotion and behaviour, and invites us to become much more curious about how the human mind works.

We are looking for someone who shares that curiosity and has a drive to improve the life of one person and his family: someone kind, open-minded enough to listen, learn and allow the person they support to teach them what good support looks like.

You'll join a small specialist team that provides bespoke support for an autistic man with a mild learning disability. He is curious, active, humorous and enjoys engaging with others. He can also experience anxiety and distress, and when he does, this can lead to behaviours of concern.

Countryside walks are at the heart of this role. You'll provide social and emotional support as he explores new places around Bristol and beyond and help him expand the places and activities he can access and enjoy in the community. At home, you'll plan sessions with him so they are filled with meaningful activity. You'll prepare resources for the things he enjoys and offer new activities, helping him develop skills, independence and confidence.

To request detailed job information and an application form, email Auron or Tania at [email protected]

Main duties of the job

To listen, strive to understand and empathise with the client.

To support him to gain confidence in articulating his thoughts, feelings, needs and preferences.

Working alongside other practitioners, to support the client on walks of his choice in the countryside around Bristol and surrounding counties, and occasional trips to shops, towns or other community facilities.

To drive the client and his support practitioner to his activities and walks, or, if you do not drive, to navigate on car journeys when needed.

To support the client, engage in meaningful activities at home, such as gardening, home maintenance, cooking or other practical and leisure pursuits.

To work collaboratively with the client, his family and support team, following his care plans to ensure he receives consistent care.

To provide calm emotional support and, where necessary, trained physical intervention during periods of distress, in accordance with M.R. Trust policies/training, to reduce risk and promote safety for the client, those supporting him, and the public.

To and ensure important information is recorded and communicated across the team.

To protect the confidentiality and privacy of the client and his family.

To attend all necessary training, supervision and when possible, team meetings, using these to improve the client's support, as well as your own confidence and wellbeing.

Job description

To develop a thorough understanding of the clients needs, so that he feels able to communicate with you and trusts you to support him. To engage the client in meaningful and stimulating activity throughout the day, which reflect his needs and preferences. To provide him with social, emotional & practical support, enabling him to access the community and achieve his goals safely, while also helping him to increase his independence skills, confidence and opportunities. By this means, to provide his family with respite from these duties.

To listen, strive to understand and empathise with the client. To support him to articulate & gain confidence in expressing his thoughts, feelings, needs and preferences.

To support the client on a 2:1 basis in the community, and a 2:1 or 1:1 basis in the home, according to his assessed level of need and on-going risk assessment.

To work collaboratively with the client, his family & care team and other professionals involved in his care, so that The client receives consistent support.

To provide the client with ample, stimulating activities so that he is motivated and engaged in meaningful activities throughout the day.

To forward plan, organise and effectively communicate with the client, his team & his family about each weeks activities and outings, so that his days have structure and predictability.

To support the client with cooking, literacy, gardening, home maintenance, using his computer and other activities he wants to do, while actively, but at a sensitive pace, helping to increase his independence within these activities.

To use paid home-based time to prepare learning materials for the client (e.g. literacy worksheets, easy read recipes) which are individually tailored to his level of ability and motivations.

To support the client effectively when he is anxious and help him apply strategies to reduce and help him manage his anxiety. To gain a thorough understanding of the client Positive Behaviour Support Plan to achieve this.

To provide the client with verbal and physical support and guidance when distressed, adhering to M.R. Trust policies and risk management plans, to reduce risk to the client, his carers and the public.

To protect the confidentiality of the client and his family.

To attend training, team meetings and supervision, and use these constructively to improve the client support, as well as your own confidence and wellbeing.

To contribute to a positive and supportive culture within the team, which encourages collaboration, empathy, continuous learning and reflection.

To support the client to develop confidence in social situations. To create visual aids such as social stories to help him cope with new or challenging situations

To ensure important information is recorded and communicated across the team.

To provide flexibility during your working hours so that the client or his mothers activities are not affected by staff absences. E.g. Providing face to face support instead of working from home as usually scheduled, if needed.

To fulfil domestic, administrative or any other duties that are considered relevant or appropriate to the client support.

To support the client on walks of his choice and occasional trips to shops, towns or other community spaces.

To drive the client and his second PA to his activities. To fit a removable protective barrier, which is provided by the Trust, in the car to enable you to do this safely.

To navigate on car journeys when needed, and also navigate, using the O.S. maps App while on walks.

To advocate and mediate for the client in the community.

To apply the principles of the Mental Capacity Act and Positive Risk Assessment to ensure Least Restrictive Practice and to enable the client to achieve his goals.

To offer the client appropriate opportunities to participate in new activities and undertake new challenges that increase his confidence and life choices, and, if he wishes to proceed, to manage potential anxiety and risk carefully so that these are likely to proceed successfully.

To support the client on his annual holiday, either 7 nights in the UK or two shorter breaks totalling 7 nights, working alongside a colleague (2:1).

About us

The M.R. Trust was established to manage a Direct Payment from the local authority, enabling the person we support to live at home with his family while receiving genuinely person-centred support. We employ a small, dedicated team of skilled practitioners who help him lead a fulfilling life, combining emotional security, stimulating activities, and opportunities to follow his interests, goals, and personal development. We are passionate in our belief that autistic adults, and those with learning disabilities who show behaviours of concern should enjoy their full rights and participate actively in their communities. We place great value on our staff, providing extensive training, professional and wellbeing support, and opportunities for professional development. If you share our values and have experience supporting or teaching people with autism, learning disabilities, behaviours of concern, brain injury, and/or mental health needs we would love to hear from you.