Support Workers
Policies, Procedures and Agreement
This printout was generated from www.carlisleyouthzone.org/supportworker on error identifying date/time. Please ensure that it is the full, correct and most up-to-date version of this agreement. This version of the webpage was last updated 09/2023.
Introduction
Thank you for supporting a young person to access Carlisle Youth Zone. We aim to support young people to have fun, feel safe and be independent.
As we are unable to offer 1:1 support/personal care for young people, we welcome appropriate adults to provide assistance to young people who require it in our Inclusion Club.
A personal support assistant may be supplied by a health/social care agency, employed by the family or be a family member themselves.
Our aim is to enable all young people to maximise their potential and to support them to be as independent as they can be. To ensure we maintain a youth focussed environment and enable staff to concentrate on the delivery of quality activities we ask that any parents/carers or personal support assistants who do not need to stay with their young person drop them off and collect them from reception.
Our team will provide a one-to-one tour of the building for new members and their parents/carers/personal support assistants where we can discuss any additional support needs and discuss the young person’s level of independence during our sessions. We will also provide you with a copy of our safeguarding leaflet. We may ask support be reduced or increased at any time, but we will always try to work with you to support young people to be as independent as possible.
Support Worker Rules
We have four basic rules our members, staff, volunteers and visitors are asked to follow. These are:
RESPECT YOURSELVES
RESPECT OUR BUILDING & EQUIPMENT
RESPECT OUR TEAM
RESPECT EACH OTHER
Broken down, this means we ask that you…
- Please respect all young people in the building and the Carlisle Youth Zone Team.
- Please maintain professional boundaries with other young people – we do not allow any inappropriate touching, e.g. no hugging. Please encourage ‘high 5’s’ instead.
- Please wear a Carlisle Youth Zone ‘visitor’ badge and ensure it is visible at all times.
- Please wear your company ID badge (if applicable).
- Please use the first-floor disabled toilet, do not use the toilets on the ground floor.
- Please avoid using your mobile phone whilst supporting your young person in session.
- Please do not take any photos in Carlisle Youth Zone. If you would like to take a photo please speak to a member of staff.
- No swearing or inappropriate language.
- Please speak to the Inclusion Coordinator regarding any changes affecting your young person.
- Smoking or the use of e-cigarettes is not permitted at any time.
If you need to leave your young person at any time (such as a toilet break), please make a member of the Carlisle Youth Zone team aware.
Support Worker Code of Conduct
Our Code of Conduct sets the standard of conduct expected of Personal Assistants. The standards have been developed using the ‘Skills for Health’ framework which applies to all social care support staff. It outlines the behaviour and attitudes that we should expect to experience from Personal Assistants signed up to the code. It helps you to provide safe, guaranteed care and support.
- You will supervise the young person under your care/your key work at all times during your visits to Carlisle Youth Zone.
- Be accountable for your young person by ensuring you are providing suitable and appropriate support to the individual.
- Establish and maintain clear and appropriate professional boundaries in your relationships with your young person, other young people, Carlisle Youth Zone staff members/volunteers and other visitors.
- Always act in the best interests of your young person, putting their needs, goals and aspirations first.
- Promote your young person’s independence.
- Always maintain the dignity of your young person.
- Report any safeguarding concerns you may have to the duty manager.
- Recognise and respect the roles and expertise of the Carlisle Youth Zone team and work in partnership with them.
- Work openly and cooperatively with the Carlisle Youth Zone team and other professionals you come into contact with at Carlisle Youth Zone.
- Communicate effectively with the Carlisle Youth Zone team about any changes in medical or social needs which affect the young person accessing Carlisle Youth Zone.
- Treat everyone in the building with respect.
Concerns
If the Carlisle Youth Zone team identify or are alerted to any concerns with a Personal Assistant in relation to the Code of Conduct or the Support Worker Policy, including the Carlisle Youth Zone rules, we will raise these with the Personal Assistant or their employer to ensure best practice.
Agreement and Contact Information
When a support worker attends club for the first time, they will be asked to sign our support worker agreement, indicating they have read, understood and agree to follow our policies as described above.
We will also require some personal information to ensure we can keep everyone safe, including an emergency contact, and if applicable, employer’s contact details.
Agreement and Contact Details
Please read and sign the agreement and return to a member of our reception team.
By completing this form, you consent to your personal and employment information being stored on Carlisle Youth Zone database and you consent for Carlisle Youth Zone to contact you as required.
As the designated support worker for (Please write young person’s full name), I agree to the following statements.
- I have read and understood the Carlisle Youth Zone Policy and Procedures for Personal Assistants
- I have read and understood the Safeguarding Leaflet
- I have read and understood the code of conduct
Your Name:
Signed: X Dated:
Personal Information
Your Full Name:
Your Contact Number:
Emergency Contact Name:
Emergency Contact Number:
Employment Information (If Applicable)
Employer / Organisation Name:
Employer Contact Number:
Employer Email Address:
