Advice please on Supported Ind. Living work

betterlatethannever

Hi
I've been stuck on JSA for the past 6 months now and previously, was on ESA for cancer.
I'm all well and (fairly) fit again now but can't find any work:(

Theres an agency thats opened closed by, and it deals with supported independent living (live-in/sleep in/respite/support etc)

I love working with people in a support roll but i'm concerned about what the work entails.
I have spinal arthritis, although its not too bad and i can manage most things, but it soon plays up if i try to do too much lifting/carrying/bending.
Does this type of work require a lot of physical effort?
Also, i don't have a car at the moment (nor could i afford one until i've been working a while) will this mean i can't do the job?

Would love to hear the gritty details from those that know. Would rather be forewarned and forearmed before i dive in.

Thanks for any advice

kingfisherblue

My daughter has worked for an agency that supplied staff for those in Supported Living. She didn't drive at the time, but was placed with another member of staff who did drive. However, the client had two carers at all times, and many would only need one.

Tasks included changing pads/nappies for a non-mobile person, wheeling wheelchair into and out of adapted car (with disabled person in the chair), showering, getting client out of bed/putting her into bed, feeding, washing, entertaining, helping the client to access outside interests.

She was once instructed to cycle her client round on a specially adapted bicycle, which held the wheelchair as well as the client.

IMO, you do need to be physically fit to do this type of job, as soem clients will have physical disabilities and may need lifting or transferring . Although some work is via a hoist, some could be via a board and involve bending as well as lifting/supporting physically.

If you do decide to enter a job like this, you should be trained in lifting and handling, as well as use of equipment.

any_name_will_suffice

It really depends in the needs of the people you will be supporting- I have supported people who need support with daily living skills, so cleaning, cooking, shopping, managing money etc. And I have also supported people who need more support, with personal care, mobilising, using hoist, pushing wheelchair etc as kingfisherblue has outlined. I have also supported people in supported living with behaviour support needs who can be physically aggressive.

As for the car, I suppose it depends on where you live in relation to the homes of the people you would be supporting, and whether you can get there for 7am starts, and home again at 10pm, if needed, including on a sunday or a bank holiday. IME, people I have supported have either walked, used buses or taxis, or had their own car through the motability scheme if their needs have been high enough to qualify. Occasionally the care provider may provide a shared car for service users which staff would drive, although this is rare these days in supported living.

If it's something that you are interested in, why not either phone the agency and make some enquiries about the role, or apply anyway, and you can always ask about the needs of the service users you would be supporting during an interview.

And kingfisherblue is quite right, you will receive training in moving and handling and and if service users do need support with mobilising or transfering, you will be trained in the techniques and equipment they use.

dawyldthing

I think it depends where you are, who you work for and what the needs of the service users are.

I'm a support worker and I mainly do most of the things we all do ie banking, shopping, cooking, cleaning, ordering and administrating medication. Also organise and take them to see family and on holiday. It does depend who you support, but they may need help with personal care or other needs, but others just need help with getting out and about. I've done it for over a year now and it is definately one of the more rewarding jobs I have done and do enjoy it.

But like I say it does depend who you work for and who you support but like someone said phone up the agency and ask what would be involved, but on a whole it is pretty rewarding and enjoyable

jackyann

Whatever you are taught about lifting & handling - however well - it is a bad idea to be in that position if you have spinal arthritis.
However, I would definitely contact the agency, explain & discuss. A lot of supported living involves no heavy work at all.