Job Introduction
32.5 hours per week
Rotas typically are a mixture of:
Early shift - 07:30 - 14:30
Late shift - 14:30 - 21:30
Shifts include a 30-minute unpaid break.
Sunday and bank holiday working apply
The Service:
Portsmouth is a vibrant university city, with a rich maritime history on the South coast enjoying excellent transport links to the rest of the country.
Shearwater is in the Milton area of Portsmouth and is a purpose built 40 bed dementia residential home, which opened in August 2009. The accommodation is spread over 2 floors in units of 20 per floor. All bedrooms have a private ensuite with a shower. The home also has a good-sized garden for residents to enjoy. We currently have around 100 staff working different roles and different shifts throughout the home.
The second floor is currently not occupied and is being used for the council's contingency plan an activity area for residents. Our philosophy is to encourage independence, though we recognise severe dementia may require residential care. We promote well-being through person centred activities and supporting diversity.
What is the purpose of Adult Social care from a service user perspective? Help me, when I need it, to live the life I want to live.
What is the role?
This peripatetic role will require the successful applicant to be flexible and work across in-house provider services. Using a person-centred approach, you will look after the physical, emotional, cultural, and social needs of service users. This will include personal care, assisting clients at mealtimes and all aspects of daily living.
You will be providing person centred care in the form of social activities which promotes the service users mental health and wellbeing and improves their quality of life. You will be a keyworker to specific residents, taking responsibility to ensure information about their health is recorded using electronic care planning (Nourish) and communicating this information to the team leaders. This is a legal requirement under the Care Quality Commission CQC and is designed to meet our fundamental standards so resident's individual needs are met, and care plans can be kept up to date with this information. Please see the full job profile attached at the bottom of this page for all details of the role!
Who is the person?
You need to have:
- The ability to converse at ease with service users with cognitive impairment and provide advice in accurate spoken English is essential.
- Have patience and empathy, with an understanding of the needs of people with different types of dementia and physical disabilities.
- Experience in a caring role as a formal paid or unpaid carer.
- An understanding of the importance of resident's dignity, privacy and choice, and applying this in practice.
- The ability to be flexible and adaptable, able to work in a team as well as being able to work independently.
- Be able to use your own initiative and make decisions, always ensuring the safest outcome possible.
- Have good communication, observation, interpersonal and written skills.
- Computer skills will be required to enable you to update care plans electronically and use e-learning.
- An understanding of the cultural and linguistic needs of people from a diverse range of backgrounds.
- You will be required to take part in training and development which will contribute towards your framework and study for QCF at level 2 / 3 (or equivalent) in Social Care and undertake learning to complete the Care Certificate (previously CIS) within your probation period.
- The ability to deal with emergencies in a confident and calm manner.
- An understanding of the principles and practice of client confidentiality and Data Protection.
How to apply: Remember to demonstrate why you are suitable against each of the points described in the 'Who is the Person' points on the Job Profile using examples from your experience or transferable skills. This might be through qualifications or descriptive examples from your work / personal experience, which clearly illustrates what you did and the effect it had. This is important or you are likely not to be shortlisted.
Interviews: 23rd July 2025
About Portsmouth City Council
What we can offer you:
Portsmouth City Council is a unique organisation, committed to making a difference, and is guided by core values that set who we are as people, what we stand for, and how we act.
Read more about working at Portsmouth City Council and our benefits on our careers portal homepage: Careers Portal - Find jobs with Portsmouth City Council
Portsmouth City Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of adults at risk and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
DBS Disclosure at Enhanced level will be required prior to any offer of employment and this post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.
Every post is subject to PCC and Portsmouth Safeguarding Adults Board safer recruitment procedures
Should you require any support in completing the application form please contact recruit@portsmouthcc.gov.uk. or call the recruitment team on 023 92 616800
