The Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2010 require that all workers working with service users are physically and mentally fit for that work.
All service users at Spectrum may challenge staff. This could be a physical, verbal or mental challenge.
At Spectrum, physically fit means that you are fit enough to partake in mandatory training to train staff in Positive Behaviour Management techniques. This means you should consider if any of the roles in Spectrum houses or educational centre are suitable for you if you have a long-term injury to, for example, neck, shoulder, wrist, knee or ankle which restricts your mobility.
You also need to consider if the roles are right for you if you need to take medication before exercise, as often incidences of challenging behaviour develop quickly. You therefore need to ensure that you are physically capable of responding to these situations quickly to ensure both the safety of yourself and the service user.
Verbal and mental challenges can come in various forms, such as a service user constantly repeating certain words or phrases, shouting and making loud noises or making verbal outbursts of a passive or aggressive nature and which may or may not be focussed on you.
You will need to consider if a role is right for you if you suffer from any condition which affects your ability to cope with these verbal and mental challenges. For example, if it means you might find it a struggle to cope with inconsistent behaviour by service users, loud and sudden noises, or if you struggle to deal with emotional pressure and your ability to control your emotions.
If you have any concerns about your fitness for any role as detailed in the attached job description, you are advised to seek advice from your GP before making an application.
If you are successful in the recruitment process, you will be given a confidential medical questionnaire which asks you questions about your health. This is so we can be satisfied that you do have the required physical and mental fitness for your role.
If there are any concerns about this, they will be discussed with you and further information will be obtained as necessary. If appropriate (and possible), adjustments will be made to overcome any concerns. For example, conditions such as diabetes and epilepsy which are sufficiently well controlled by medication will not prevent the right candidate from obtaining a job with Spectrum. However, this will generally mean that a person will not be allowed to work on a one-to-one basis with service users in order to protect their health and safety and that of service users and colleagues.
Declaration
I have read the above information and Job Description and understand that under the regulations I need to be physically and mentally fit to work in a Spectrum house, educational centre, or community setting. If I have any concerns I will raise them with my GP before making this application. I understand that any false declaration, misleading information or omission of facts that may affect my ability to undertake work within Spectrum that may then come to light at a later date may result in either job offer being revoked or my employment being terminated if commencement has already taken place.