Shift leader Role

Confidence

• Confident in decisions made, stick to them and learn from them.

• Confidence in the team and helping people work on weaknesses and identify/ utilise people's strengths.

• Delegating roles fairly (e.g: cleaning for all staff members and not just women, car checks by women and not just men)

• Consistency in practice, treat all staff the same/fairly and not letting personal issues/emotions effect practice.

• The young people knowing who the shift leader is can cause issues for all. They could undermine other staff resulting in them losing confidence in themself or target the shift leader who made the decision. Confident in allowing other staff to make planned decisions in front of the young people.

Communication/ Listening

• Effective communication with staff (handovers and debriefs, checking in every two hours)

• Effective communication with young people (Community meetings, aware of changes)

• Other houses and colleagues (independence, mobility, gather/share information)

• Listening to staff (what worked well? what did not? concerns, safeguarding issues, previous situations and experience, advocate on their behalf) Listening to link workers and what is in the best interest of the young persons.

• Listening to young people (Community meetings, making sure they are happy, making sure they are available to talk to the advocate, be an advocate etc)

• Following instructions given to me.

• Keeping the team up to date with the rapid changes and information.

Motivate, Encourage & Support

• Staff Morale - Making sure there is no negativity, bitching/gossiping and directing people to relevant individuals or ways to deal with any of their issues.

• Motivate people to want to learn, progress and gain more skills (Level 3 Diploma in Health and Social Care). Filling out new staff progress log book.

• Motivate the team to motivate the young people to get the best out of their lives.

• Mentoring staff so that as a team we can provide the best service and care possible which is individualised to the young people, resulting in the young people staying safe.

• Praise individuals and provide feedback to their practice. Take on board the teams feedback.

SUCCESSFUL SHIFT LEADER

• There are many skills and qualities that are needed to become a successful shift leader. However, the desire for continuous learning is vital. Learning from new staff members, older experienced staff members and the management team.

• Professionalism at all times.

• Being a role model for staff and young people

• Being reliable and dependable.

• Make sure the home is a safe, happy, clean and supportive for the young people.

• Being able to take critical criticism and improve my own practice.

• Adapt to modern and new ways/changes and bring new ideas and approaches.

• Question everything!

Approachable and Respectful

• Staff are confident in the shift leader.

• Staff and young people are able to come and get support, ask questions and feel comfortable talking to me.

• Non-judgmental

• Respecting people's life choices and opinions

Organisation & Problem Solving

• Keeping on top of paper work. (such as; Daily records, handovers, petty cash, car log books, maintenance books, signing risk assessments, etc).

• Deciding how to deal with daily issues in the best way possible and learning from them.

• Organising the shift so it runs as smoothly and successfully as it can.

• Ensuring all task are carried out.

• Work well under pressure.