GREENACRES CAMPHILL COMMUNITY

JOB DESCRIPTION: HOUSE CO-ORDINATOR

OVERVIEW

This position requires the management of one of the houses in the Community. The holder will be responsible for the welfare of all those living and working in the house, and for maintaining healthy relations with all other aspects of community endeavour. The house co-ordinator will carry the ethos and mission statement of the Camphill Organisation, as given in the Camphill Policy Document 2009, into the practical daily tasks.

This role requires the house co-ordinator to participate in life-sharing situations with residents who have intellectual disability - and sometimes complex emotional needs - in addition to other staff and volunteers some of whom may come from quite a different culture and background.

The house co-ordinator will be required to function as one of a team responsible for all the residents' and day-placement persons on the estate, and report to a member of the Management Group.

Being part of the Management Group is integral to this position. It is also necessary to attend Reviews where appropriate. Other meetings may be required at the discretion of the Managing Group.

Less formal, though equally vital to this role, is the development and maintenance of professional working relations with the residents' family and friends, social workers, officials from government agencies, advocates, local trades people and members from other Camphill Communities.

WORK PERFORMED

The responsibilities involved are to:

Ensure that the physical fabric of the house is in a good state of repair; all equipment is safe and functions properly. Report any concerns, or desired improvements, to the Management Group promptly.
Ensure the house is homely, clean and tidy, without any obvious safety hazards, and all security procedures are in place.

Care for the residents' physical needs, encouraging cleanliness, assisting with personal hygiene when necessary, attending to clothing and appropriate dress, arranging internal health care or external visits to the doctor, dentist, chiropodist and hairdresser etc.
Organise the laundry in the house.
Organise the food shopping and cooking. Establish healthy, nutritious and regular mealtimes.
Support the residents' own lifestyles and working routines.
Encourage all the residents for whom you are directly responsible to take part in communal activities and festivals.
Be available to support the residents' uncertainties, mood swings and need for advice.
Assist in managing the resident's finances where it is required.
Assist in planning, or accompanying, one or more residents to shop locally, engage in leisure activity or even take a holiday.

Keep accurate records of Reviews, and actively endeavour to implement Personal Plans.
Record significant incidents.

Organise the household tasks of the staff and volunteers assigned to you.
Give training and support to staff and volunteers where it is necessary,
Ensure the house is always adequately covered in your absence.
Hold weekly or fortnightly all-inclusive House Meetings, and record the essential points.
Manage the household finances.

QUALIFICATIONS

This position does not require formal qualifications apart from basic literacy and numeracy. But the ability to communicate fluently in English is essential.
Training in First Aid and Fire Prevention will be given.
An Introduction to working with Intellectual Disability will also be given.
The work does require, however, many other skills, which, though non-academic are also essential to the successful management of the required tasks. Working with others who have unique, and often sensitive sometimes challenging natures, demands a tactful, patient, insightful and professional approach.
The subject of Intellectual Disability is not static and the house co-ordinator will be required to keep abreast of the latest legislation and trainings that are relevant. These further trainings will be agreed with the Management Group.

Tact, persuasiveness and negotiating skills are also required in dealing with staff, volunteers, other professionals and members of the public.
In general the ability to mix easily with others and a flexible approach to the changing working environment is an advantage, along with willingness for continuing professional development.

A thorough knowledge and understanding of the National Quality Standards - Residential Services for People with Disabilities 2009 - is essential.

Driving is also an advantage though not essential.

Supervision will be given by a member of the Management Group, and the limits of the House Co-ordinator's responsibilities also indicated.

Monitoring and Implementation will be carried on by members of the Management Group. Each House Co-ordinator will be involved in this mutual activity.

This role does carry substantial responsibility, especially with respect to collective or individual health risks. Judgements in this area require a trained insight as to when it is necessary to call a senior co-worker and/or an external agency.
Mistakes at this level can result in serious injury and/or litigation for the company.

This list is not exhaustive, and there can arise situations where a House co-ordinator may be asked to undertake a particular task outside the usual remit, or outside the normal working hours.

The Management Group reserve the right to alter, when necessary, the above job description.

GREENACRES 2010