Senior Support Worker

Position: Senior Support Worker

Reports To: Service Manager

Location: Residential Home(s)

Organisation Type: Non-Profit – Intellectual Disability Sector

Hours: Full-time / Rostered (as per individual contract)

Purpose of the Role

The Senior Support Worker is responsible for providing leadership, guidance, and hands-on support within the residential service. The role ensures the delivery of high-quality, person-centred care that upholds the rights, dignity, and wellbeing of mokopuna (residents) while maintaining compliance with organisational policies, Ministry of Health (MoH) standards, and the Health and Disability Services Standards (NZS 8134).

Key Responsibilities

1. Leadership & Team Coordination

• Act as the first point of contact for support workers during shifts.
• Lead, motivate, and support the team to provide high-quality care aligned with individual support plans.
• Delegate tasks effectively to ensure smooth day-to-day operations.
• Monitor team performance, provide on-the-spot coaching, and escalate concerns to the Service Manager where necessary.
• Participate in staff handovers, ensuring clear communication between shifts.

2. Direct Care & Support

• Provide hands-on support to mokopuna in daily living activities such as:

• Personal cares (where required)

• Meal preparation and nutrition support
• Household tasks and maintaining a safe home environment
• Medication administration in accordance with policies and training
• Facilitating community participation and social inclusion.
• Advocate for mokopuna rights, choices, and preferences in all decisions.
• Support mokopuna to achieve personal goals and build life skills.

3. Planning & Documentation

• Maintain accurate and timely shift records, including:

• Daily logs and incident reports

• Medication administration records (MARs)
• Behavioural and wellbeing observations.
• Review and update individual support plans (ISPs) in collaboration with the Service Manager, mokopuna, whanau, and allied health professionals.
• Ensure documentation meets organisational and MoH audit requirements.

4. Health & Safety / Risk Management

• Ensure a safe living and working environment by:

• Identifying and managing potential hazards.

• Reporting and recording incidents, accidents, and near-misses.
• Responding promptly to emergencies according to policy.
• Support compliance with Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 obligations.

• Monitor and manage risks specific to intellectual disability care, such as:

• Behavioural escalations

• Medication errors
• Vulnerability to exploitation or neglect.

5. Training, Coaching & Development

• Mentor and support new staff, ensuring they are trained in policies, procedures, and mokopuna-specific needs.
• Provide ongoing coaching to team members to improve care quality and consistency.
• Attend training sessions, supervision, and team meetings as required.
• Actively participate in continuous quality improvement initiatives.

6. Stakeholder & Whānau Engagement

• Maintain positive relationships with mokopuna, whanau, advocates, and health professionals.
• Support open, transparent communication with family members while maintaining confidentiality.
• Collaborate with external providers such as GPs, psychologists, therapists, and MoH representatives to ensure holistic care.

7. Compliance & Organisational Alignment

• Ensure daily practices are consistent with:

• Health and Disability Services Standards (NZS 8134)

• Ministry of Health service specifications
• Privacy Act 2020
• Code of Health and Disability Services Consumers' Rights.
• Support preparation for internal and external audits by maintaining proper records and ensuring service delivery standards are met.

Key Skills & Attributes

• Compassionate, patient, and respectful approach.
• Strong leadership and team management skills.
• Ability to remain calm under pressure.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Understanding of positive behaviour support (PBS) frameworks.
• Sound knowledge of intellectual disability support and related best practices.
• Competence in documentation and compliance requirements.