Management / Staffing

The Service will be line managed by S.C.C.T. Management levels are as follows:

• The Board of Trustees
  The Executive Director
  The Service Manager
  Senior Staff

Management

The service is managed at a local level. The Executive Director is accountable for all aspects of the running of the service, including budgets, and reports to the Board of Trustees.

The Executive Director is supported by the Senior Management Team, which comprises Care Managers, the Day Co-ordinator, the PA to the Executive Director/Hon. Sec to the Board of Trustees, the Facilities Manager and the Financial Administrator.

Each residential and activity unit is managed by a Team Leader with support from staff teams.

Staffing

Recruitment

Staff are recruited on the basis of an Equal Opportunities Policy. We seek to provide staff with a wide range of expertise and from varied backgrounds that will support the service users in developing a fulfilling lifestyle. We also seek to recruit staff on the basis of their qualifications and experience and their compatibility with the service users reflecting, as far as possible, racial, age and cultural backgrounds. In addition to their qualifications and expertise staff must share our values of assisting each service user to achieve as full a life as possible. The operational staff ratio will vary according to the assessed needs of individuals - but it is unlikely that the ratio will be lower than three clients to one member of staff.

Structure

Staff are organised in such a way as to provide continuity and flexibility but with reference to addressing the "Triad of Impairments" specific to autistic spectrum disorders. In addition to support workers, who work across a range of settings with users, we have specialist staff in the areas of Communication, Education, Music, Art, Craft, and Social Skills.

Supervision/Development

Each member of staff has an individual development plan that addresses their need to develop competence in all areas of their work. They receive help and encouragement to achieve personal goals that are geared at all times to the needs of the service and the resident. Supervision is an essential element of this and all staff are expected to participate.

Communication

Staff meet regularly in teams to discuss all aspects of the running of the service and their views are actively sought. In addition, regular communication days are held with family and carers to discuss issues of wider interest that reflect on the development of the service.

Conduct

The S.C.C.T. expects the highest standards of conduct from its employees in supporting its residents. Detailed procedures on equal opportunities, conduct and grievances are available to staff and all staff are expected to comply.

Training

S.C.C.T. recognises that its staff are its greatest resource and has an ongoing commitment to staff training, including N.V.Q. L.D.A.F. and training specific to the job role. The service will also access Local Social Services training where possible.

Staff receive training according to their needs, interests and the task in hand. Training includes professional social work training, management and supervisory skills, specific interventions, nutrition and hygiene. The S.C.C.T. also seconds staff on a range of qualifying and post qualification professional courses.