Support Worker / Driver

To support people with mental health issues and (or) learning disabilities to experience a working environment and access training/employment. To assist in the production of our products within The Woodfuel Centre and its garden area. To transport people from collection points to their place of work and return at the end of each day, collect goods and deliver them to customers, co-ordinate the maintenance of our vehicles and participate in the wider work of The Woodfuel Centre and our partner organisation, Blyth Star Enterprises Limited., Working within The Woodfuel Centre to produce wood fuel products for both retail and wholesale markets, and within the wider day and employment services with our partner organisation Blyth Star Enterprises. Assisting in the provision of support and training to enable people who may have mental health needs or who may be currently unemployed to gain skills, knowledge and confidence. To promote their independence and well-being, supporting them to obtain or regain the skills to return to work should they choose. Providing transport to enable people who use our services to access the various activities available. Providing a delivery service to enable the products produced within our various departments to get to market in a timely and cost-effective manner. To assist in the monitoring and maintenance of vehicles used at The Woodfuel Centre.,

• Supporting other members of staff in providing advice, guidance and support to people who experience mental ill health, who attend The Woodfuel Centre or its partners as either a day service or an employment training placement


• Meeting the agreed production targets


• Participating in planning and review meetings with Care Managers or other official representatives of funding agencies as appropriate


• Dealing appropriately with customers and members of the public


• Collecting goods from the appropriate department


• Using a forklift truck to load deliveries as appropriate


• Using a forklift truck within The Woodfuel Centre for moving supplies etc.


• Loading the vehicle to match the delivery route


• Planning the route to make sure deliveries are made on time


• Unloading goods at the right addresses


• Collecting signatures and giving invoices on delivery and updating delivery records


• Recording mileage and fuel purchases


• Returning undelivered items to the appropriate base


• Collecting and returning workers from various locations as agreed


• Assisting in monitoring and ensuring the maintenance of the vehicles used in the delivery of our services. This currently includes a delivery vehicle and a minibus


• Safe/correct use of equipment within the department and undertaking the relevant maintenance procedures


• Taking responsibility for the health and safety of areas in which you work and the activities that are carried out in them, adhering to all statutory requirements e.g. Health & Safety, COSHH and policies of The Woodfuel Centre or Blyth Star Enterprises


• Participating in the planning and development of services within The Woodfuel Centre and Blyth Star Enterprises


• Undertaking training as indicated by Supervisors or the Management Team


• Keeping within any agreed delegated financial budget and targets


• Participating in a formal appraisal system


• Always acting as an ambassador for The Woodfuel Centre and Blyth Star Enterprises


MOST CHALLENGING PART OF YOUR JOB:

Being responsible for delivering a progressive service that is unique in its approach to meeting the needs of people with enduring mental health problems

Maintaining the balance between support/training and production

Maintaining a positive approach and acting as a role model at all times


• Experience in retail and dealing with the public (essential)


• Ability to operate machinery in a safe manner (essential)


• Basic ability in English and maths (essential)


• A good driving record and full driving licence including D1 (essential)


• Good eyesight and colour vision (preferable)


• Excellent practical driving skills and road safety awareness (essential)


• An enjoyment of driving (preferable)


• The ability to work alone and concentrate (essential)


• The ability to work as part of a team (essential)


• A willingness to be flexible (essential)


• Patience and a polite attitude towards other road users (essential)


• A track record of good customer interface skills (preferable)


• Good spoken and written communication skills (essential)


• A good knowledge of the delivery area (preferable)


• A reasonable level of fitness (essential)


• A basic knowledge of gardening skills to assist with and develop our gardening area (essential)


• The ability to complete record sheets and paperwork (essential)


• Willingness to undertake further training in health & social care as well as trade specific training (essential)


• A non-judgmental approach to working with people who may experience mental distress (essential)


• To be able to support and encourage others to develop their own skills (essential)


WORKING RELATIONSHIP/COMMUNICATION:

To work within an already established team, but also to work as part of a number of teams

To work in collaboration with other professionals ensuring good lines of communication, both written and verbal, thus ensuring a multi-professional concept of support is delivered to people who use our services

To communicate effectively with users and carers in promoting an awareness of their individualised action plans

To communicate with and serve members of the public as appropriate, Disability Confident
About Disability Confident
A Disability Confident employer will generally offer an interview to any applicant that declares they have a disability and meets the minimum criteria for the job as defined by the employer. It is important to note that in certain recruitment situations such as high-volume, seasonal and high-peak times, the employer may wish to limit the overall numbers of interviews offered to both disabled people and non-disabled people. For more details please go to Disability Confident.