Apprenticeship Standard for Lead Adult Care Worker
Occupation: Lead Adult Care Worker
Role Profile (what the successful candidate should be able to do at the end of the Apprenticeship)
As a Lead Adult Care Worker you will make a positive difference to someone’s life when they are faced with physical, practical, social, emotional or intellectual challenges. You will be expected to exercise judgement and take appropriate action to support individuals to maintain their independence, dignity and control. By providing leadership, guidance and direction at the frontline of care delivery you will be instrumental in improving the health and wellbeing of those receiving care and support. Lead Adult Care Workers will in some circumstances have delegated responsibility for the standard of care provided and may supervise the work of other care workers. This exercising of autonomy and accountability means leading and supporting others to comply with expected standards and behaviours. Lead Adult Care Workers may work in residential or nursing homes, domiciliary care, day centres or some clinical healthcare settings. As well as covering Lead Adult Care Workers this standard also covers Lead Personal Assistants who can work at this senior level but they may only work directly for one individual who needs support and/or care services, usually within their own home.
These are the personal attributes and behaviours expected of all Adult Care Workers carrying out their roles: • Care – is caring consistently and enough about individuals to make a positive difference to their lives • Compassion – is delivering care and support with kindness, consideration, dignity, empathy and respect • Courage – is doing the right thing for people and speaking up if the individual they support is at risk • Communication – good communication is central to successful caring relationships and effective team working • Competence – is applying knowledge and skills to provide high quality care and support • Commitment – to improving the experience of people who need care and support ensuring it is person centred Duration: 12-24 months
Level: 3 A Lead Adult Care Worker must know and understand:
A. The job they have to do, their main tasks and responsibilities
B. The importance of having the right values and behaviours 8. How to ensure that dignity is at the centre of all work with individuals and their support circles 9. The importance of respecting diversity, the principles of inclusion and treating everyone fairly
C. The importance of communication 10. The barriers to communication and be able to both identify, and determine, the best solutions to achieve success when communicating with the individual they are supporting 11. How to communicate clearly both verbally and non-verbally and able to influence others to maximise the quality of interaction 12. The role of advocates and when they might be involved 13. Their own, and other workers’ responsibilities for ensuring confidential information is kept safe
D. How to support individuals to remain safe from harm (Safeguarding) 14. What abuse is and what to do when they have concerns someone is being abused 15. The national and local strategies for safeguarding and protection from abuse 16. What to do when receiving comments and complaints ensuring appropriate and timely actions takes place 17. How to recognise and prevent unsafe practices in the workplace 18. The importance and process of whistleblowing, being able to facilitate timely intervention 19. How to address and resolve any dilemmas they may face between a person’s rights and their safety
E. How to champion health and wellbeing for the individuals they support and work colleagues 20. The health and safety responsibilities of self, employer and workers 21. How to keep safe in the work environment 22. What to do when there is an accident or sudden illness and take appropriate action 23. What to do with hazardous substances 24. How to promote fire safety and how to support others to so 25. How to reduce the spread of infection and support others in infection prevention and control 26. How to use and promote with others where relevant, risk assessments to enable a person centred approach to delivering care
F. How to work professionally, including their own professional development of those they support and work colleagues 27. What a professional relationship is with the person being supported and colleagues 28. How to work with other people and organisations in the interest of the person being supported 29. How to be actively involved in their own personal development plan and, where appropriate, other worker’s personal development plans 30. How to demonstrate the importance of excellent core skills in writing, numbers and information technology 31. How to develop and sustain a positive attitude and address signs and symptoms of stress in self and other colleagues 32. How to carry out research relevant to individuals’ support needs and share with others 33. How to access and apply good practice relating to their role 34. How to access and apply specialist knowledge when needed to support performance in the job role
A Lead Adult Care Worker must be able to:
A. The main tasks and responsibilities according to their job role
Qualifications Level 3 Diploma in Health and Social Care (Adults) for England (QCF). This is the qualification that is promoted and valued by employers.
Industry-specific requirements Undertake the Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service process and provide the result prior to starting. The Care Certificate must be achieved as part of the Apprenticeship Standard.