Supported Lodgings Scheme
Carer Job Description
A Supportive Lodgings Carer will be expected to provide a safe and supportive environment to a young person aged l6 to 25 who may either be leaving local authority care or have experienced family breakdown.
The following is a list of the type of activities that a carer is expected to undertake in support of any young person placed in supportive lodgings:
A Supportive Lodgings Carer must:
- Provide a room in their home for a young person
- Provide a safe and supportive environment
- Understand diversity and promote equality
- Develop a young person's sense of identity and self-worth
- Protect a young person from abuse within the confines of the home
- Help to develop a young person's life skills with a view to independent living eg budgeting, form filling, relationships, etc.
The Carer must also encourage the young person placed with him/her/them to:
- Maintain or find college/employment/training
- Pursue any hobbies/interests
- Cook nutritious and inexpensive meals
- Maintain personal cleanliness
- Keep safe
- Keep to boundaries set within the home
- Keep within the boundaries of the law
- Lead a socially accepted lifestyle
- Maintain contact with family members if possible
Other duties:
- Attend placement reviews – in own home
- Liaise with various agencies e.g. Children’s Services, Local Councils
- Inform Step by Step of any changes in young person's behaviour or circumstances
- Maintain confidentiality at all times
- Attend court with young person if required
Support for carers
All the above may seem a tall order to fulfil, but 24-hour support is available to carers through Step by Step.
Carers have access to a well-established support network run by other carers, and the young people themselves receive regular support and input from their social workers/key-workers.
Regular reviews are held to ensure that placements run smoothly and both the carer(s) and the young person remain happy with the placement.
You can download our Supportive Lodgings leaflet here.
If you feel that you may be able to help please contact Barbara Wolfe, Supportive Lodgings Project Manager (01252 313158), for a no-obligation discussion.
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