Support Workers
Thank you for your interest in supporting a young person to access The Way Youth Zone. We aim to support young people to have fun, feel safe and be independent.
As we are unable to offer one-to-one support/personal care for young people, we welcome approved support workers to provide this assistance to specific young people who require it. A support worker/personal assistant may be supplied by a health/social care agency, employed by the family or be a family member themselves.
Our aim is to enable all young people to maximise their potential and to support them to be as independent as they can be. To ensure we maintain a youth focussed environment and enable staff to concentrate on the delivery of quality activities we ask that any parents/carers or personal support assistants who do not need to stay with their young person drop them off and collect them from reception.
Our team can provide a one-to-one tour of the building for new members and their parents/carers/personal support assistants where we can discuss any additional support needs and discuss the young person’s level of independence during our sessions. We may ask support be reduced or increased at any time, but we will always try to work with you to support young people to be as independent as possible.
Codes of Conduct
We have four basic rules all members, staff, volunteers and visitors are asked to follow.
These are:
- RESPECT YOURSELVES
- RESPECT OUR BUILDING & EQUIPMENT
- RESPECT OUR TEAM
- RESPECT EACH OTHER
Broken down, this means we ask that you…
- Please respect all young people in the building and the The Way Youth Zone Team.
- Please maintain professional boundaries with other young people – we do not allow any inappropriate touching, e.g. no hugging. Please encourage ‘high 5’s’ instead.
- Please wear a The Way Youth Zone ‘visitor’ badge and ensure it is visible at all times.
- Please wear your company ID badge (if applicable).
- Please use the designated adult toilet only.
- Please avoid using your mobile phone whilst supporting your young person in session.
- Please do not take any photos in The Way Youth Zone. If you would like to take a photo please speak to a member of staff.
- No swearing or inappropriate language.
- Please speak to the Inclusion Coordinator regarding any changes affecting your young person.
- Smoking or the use of e-cigarettes is not permitted at any time.
- If you need to leave your young person at any time (such as a toilet break), please make a member of the The Way Youth Zone team aware.
Support Worker Code of Conduct
Our Code of Conduct sets the standard of conduct expected of support workers/personal assistants. The standards have been developed using the ‘Skills for Health’ framework which applies to all social care support staff. It outlines the behaviour and attitudes that we should expect to experience from support workers/personal assistants signed up to the code. It helps you to provide safe, guaranteed care and support.
- You will supervise the young person under your care/your key work at all times during your visits to The Way Youth Zone.
- Be accountable for your young person by ensuring you are providing suitable and appropriate support to the individual.
- Establish and maintain clear and appropriate professional boundaries in your relationships with your young person, other young people, The Way Youth Zone staff members/volunteers and other visitors.
- Always act in the best interests of your young person, putting their needs, goals and aspirations first.
- Promote your young person’s independence.
- Always maintain the dignity of your young person.
- Report any safeguarding concerns you may have to the duty manager.
- Recognise and respect the roles and expertise of the The Way Youth Zone team and work in partnership with them.
- Work openly and cooperatively with the The Way Youth Zone team and other professionals you come into contact with at The Way Youth Zone.
- Communicate effectively with the The Way Youth Zone team about any changes in medical or social needs which affect the young person accessing The Way Youth Zone.
- Treat everyone in the building with respect.
Concerns
If the The Way Youth Zone team identify or are alerted to any concerns with a support worker/personal assistant in relation to the Codes of Conduct, we will raise these with the support worker/personal assistant or their employer to ensure best practice.
If you have any concerns about a young person, speak to someone at the Youth Zone or tell us about it on our Share a Concern page.
Support Worker Registration
When a support worker attends club for the first time, they will be asked to sign the relevant policies and agreements indicating they have read, understood and agree to follow our Codes of Conduct and procedures.
We will also require some personal information to ensure we can keep everyone safe, including an emergency contact, and if applicable, employer’s contact details.
For safety and security, The Way Youth Zone does not allow unaccompanied adults in session until the above process has been completed and the support worker is registered and approved.
