ST ELIZABETH’S
JOB DESCRIPTION
JOB TITLE
Residential Learning Support Assistant (RLSA)
LOCATION
You may based at St Elizabeth’s, Perry Green, Herts
SG10 6EW and/or Windhill, Bishop’s Stortford
RESPONSIBLE TO:
College Care & Support Manager
ACCOUNTABLE TO:
Head of College
St Elizabeth’s College provides an Independence Programme for 18 – 25 year old learners (students).
JOB PURPOSE
As part of a team, you will be expected to encourage individual learners to achieve their personal and
learning and development goals and achieve their potential and live life to the full. To support and, as
required, assist learners in various aspects of their day to day life, including:
College Curriculum
Leisure/Activities
Health, safety and risk management
Daily living and Personal care
Emotional, spiritual and cultural needs
Management of finances
You may also be a ‘key worker’, taking a lead role relating to an individual learner’s person centred
care plan.
You will work as part of a team in delivering Care and Learning Experiences that meet and / or exceed
the National Minimum Standards for CQC and Ofsted.
The role involves a shift pattern that includes some evening and weekend hours.
All staff are expected to carry out their duties in line with the Mission and Ethos of St Elizabeth’s which
promotes the independence and personal dignity of all learners.
All staff have a shared responsibility for safeguarding vulnerable individuals. As St Elizabeth’s School
is on the same campus, this includes children as well as young people and adults at risk.
Safeguarding means 'promoting welfare' and 'protecting from harm or abuse'
JOB ROLE
Support within the College Curriculum
Work as directed with one or more groups of learners in accordance with the needs of the college
and individuals
Create and maintain a purposeful, orderly and supportive environment
Work with the lecturer on lesson planning, evaluating and adjusting lesson / work plans as
appropriate.
Be responsible for keeping and updating records as agreed with the lecturer.
Undertake the structured and agreed learning activities and programmes linked to local / national
strategies as required.
Assist with the development and implementation of individual education/behaviour plans and
personal care programmes.
Supervise and support learners ensuring their safety and access to learning activities.
Be aware of and promote difference and ensure all learners have equal access to learn and
develop. Promote inclusion and acceptance of all pupils within the classrooms.
Support learners consistently whilst recognising and responding to individual needs.
Support use of ICT in learning activities.
Promote independence and employ strategies to recognise and reward achievement of self
reliance.
Establish constructive relationships with learners and interact according to individual needs
encouraging learners to interact with others and engage in activities lead by the lecturer.
Support learners to achieve learning goals.
Record achievement and progress as directed and provide feedback to lecturers and under
guidance, feedback to learners on progress.
Provide support for learners at times of distress.
Determine need for, prepare and use equipment/resources required to meet lesson plans/learning
activities and assist learners in their use.
Encourage learners to interact and work co-operatively with others and engage all learners in
activities.
Support during Leisure / Activities
To accompany and assist learners when accessing the local community and attending their chosen
leisure activities in line with their personal care and support plan.
Some examples:
Learning and work experience; Shopping, sports and other interests, eg gym, swimming, walks,
football, music, cinema, cafes; Medical and other appointments
.
Daily Living Support
To foster a homely and nurturing environment and promote daily routines providing structure
and consistency for learners. You will be expected to encourage and support Individual learners
to take part in household tasks in line with abilities and risk assessments. You will also be
expected to assist with domestic duties to good standard:
Some examples:
Meal planning and preparation
Cleaning, tidying, laundry, ironing
Helping individuals to take care of their personal property and to keep their bedrooms clean,
tidy and comfortable
Personal Care
To provide care in accordance with assessed need set out in individuals’ person centred care
plans. This includes assisting with personal and intimate care as required for individual
learners according to the dependency of the individual requiring support.
Some examples:
Dressing/undressing
Bathing, showering, drying Skin/ hair/ nail/ foot care
Toilet assistance and cleaning afterwards Dental hygiene Eating/feeding and drinking
To administer medication to individual learners (following training) in line with St Elizabeth’s medication
policy. This can include emergency medication after an epileptic seizure.
To report any change in the needs of an individual learners to the senior staff member on duty
promptly.
To attend hospital as required if/when learners are admitted, to ensure they are supported in their
comfort, safety and wellbeing.
Supporting Emotional, Spiritual and Cultural Wellbeing
To be familiar with person centred plans and act in accordance with these, encouraging independence
and choice.
To communicate effectively with learners and encourage learners to interact and engage in meaningful
activities.
To be aware of cultural identity and any specific needs/wishes in relation to an individual’s culture, eg
dietary preferences.
To assist individual learners to keep in touch with family and friends by a variety of methods eg phone
calls, electronic communication and birthday cards.
To contribute to the prevention and management of challenging behaviours in a non-confrontational,
non-judgemental manner, using a consistent approach and following behaviour management
guidelines.
To be aware of individual learners’ spiritual needs and wishes, and support individuals to participate in
activities they may choose to enact their spiritual wellbeing, eg faith services on and/or off site.
Request pastoral support visits where applicable.
Support with Managing Finances
To assist individual learners to keep their personal money safe and to support learners with visits to
the bank/building society, or do this on behalf of an individual if required.
To follow St Elizabeth’s financial procedures at all times, ensuring all money spent is properly
accounted for through receipts, and co-operate with audits of learners’ finances.
Health, Safety and Risk Management
To work safely and in line with St Elizabeth’s health and safety policy, guidance and training, following
risk assessments, at all times.
To report all incidents and near misses through St Elizabeth’s incident reporting system in a timely
manner, and report any safety hazards/concerns to the line manager without delay.
To report any safeguarding concerns immediately using St Elizabeth’s procedure for reporting
Safeguarding concerns.
Other Expectations
To provide learning experiences throughout the waking day appropriate to Individual Learning Plans
and targets. To ensure that assessments and progress records are complete, accurate and thorough.
To be part of a team that delivers a quality Independent Living and learning curriculum to students
whilst ensuring that assessments and progress reports are complete, accurate and thorough.
To support young people to access the college curriculum during the college day as required. This
may include attending sessions both on and off site.
To contribute towards the development of appropriate Individual Care Plans and Learning Plans, Risk
Assessments, Positive Behaviour Plans, Independent Living Skills Assessments and ensure that these
are implemented throughout the waking day
To act as a positive role model to young adults people with particular regards to social interactions.
To maintain accurate, legible and complete records relating to individual learners including daily
records.
To establish positive and professional working relationships with others, including learners,
colleagues (both within the team and from other teams/services/professions) and external
contacts, presenting a professional image of St Elizabeth’s to others at all times.
To fully participate in St Elizabeth’s staff appraisal and supervision processes.
To undertake all training deemed necessary for the role and keep all essential training up to date.
To contribute positively to the development, effectiveness and efficiency of the team.
To maintain confidentiality and comply with data protection policy and legislation.
To behave in accordance with St Elizabeth’s ethos, mission, and values, the Staff Code of Conduct,
legal requirements and all of St Elizabeth’s policies and procedures at all times.
You will be expected to drive St Elizabeth’s vehicle if you are qualified to do so.
This post is classed as having a high degree of contact with children and vulnerable adults, is exempt
from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and is subject to an enhanced DBS disclosure.
The duties and responsibilities outlined above do not represent a full list of the tasks expected which
are also subject to change from time to time. The postholder will be consulted before major changes to
duties and responsibilities by the Home Care Manager and reasonable notice will be given in advance
of such changes being implemented.
I have read and understood the job description and person specification for the role of
Residential Learning Support Assistant (RLSA)
Sign: ...............................................
Date: ..............
Print Name: .................................
ST ELIZABETH’S PERSON SPECIFICATION
JOB TITLE :
LOCATION:
Residential Learning Support Assistant (RLSA)
St Elizabeth’s, Perry Green, Herts SG10 6EW
CRITERIA*
Method of
Assessment
(Unless marked as ‘Desirable’, all shown are Essential)
Knowledge,
Skills and
Qualifications
Level 2 or equivalent qualification in Health & Social Care
OR Learning
Plus commitment to work towards an equivalent skills level in the
second area (Health & Social care or Learning) and an expectation to
complete this within a reasonable period once offered.
Application
Interview
Qualification
Selection
exercise
Numerate and literate to the equivalent level of GCSE level in Maths &
English (Qualifications are NOT essential)
Desirable only: Basic awareness of learning disabilities, epilepsy or
autism
Experience
Desirable only: Experience of providing care and support to vulnerable
people in a paid or voluntary capacity
Application
Interview
Reference
Abilities and
Skills
Ability to communicate clearly, face to face and in writing
Able to understand and follow instructions
Able to work safely without direct supervision
Collaborative team working skills
Application
Interview
Reference
Other
attributes
Commitment to:
 The work and ethos of St Elizabeth’s
 Equality and promoting respect and dignity for all
 The care and well-being of people
Application
Interview
Reference
Desire to promote independence in individuals by working in a manner which
gives them maximum choice and control of their lives.
Boundaries between professional and personal relationships
Confidence to speak up assertively for self and others
Compassion, patience and understanding
Adaptable and able to work in a challenging and changing environment
Able to cope in an emergency
Emotional resilience to work with people whose behaviour can
challenge the service at times
Commitment to undertake further training and development as
necessary
A desire to enable others and make a positive difference to people’s
lives
Special
Circumstances
Suitability to work with adults at risk and children**
DBS
Willing and able to undertake the following as required after training:
 Moving and positioning of individuals (including hoists and
wheelchairs)
 Apply crisis prevention and intervention techniques
 Assist residents with all aspects of personal care
 Work with people whose behaviour, due to the nature of their
disability, can challenge the service at times.
 Support and accompany residents with leisure activities
including swimming
Interview
Pre-employment
health check via
Occupational
health service
Able to work a shift pattern, including some unsocial hours (usually a
mixture of late and early shifts, with some weekend working)
Able to get to and from the workplace (which is NOT on a public
transport route)
Desirable only: Full UK valid driving licence
*Reasonable adjustments will be considered under the Equality Act 2010
**This role is based on a shared site which also includes a school
Application/
Interview