Complex Care Support Worker

Harmony HealthCare; Chichester; On-site; GBP 17,000 - 25,000; Full time

Job summary

Harmony HealthCare is seeking a compassionate Support Worker to provide 2:1 complex care for a non-verbal adult with autism and epilepsy in his home and community. You will support daily routines, safety, and communication using objects of reference and picture cards.

The role requires experience with learning disabilities, autism, and epilepsy, plus flexibility for 12-hour day and night shifts, weekends, and potential travel for community activities. A driving licence is beneficial.

Qualifications

• Experience supporting adults with learning disabilities and autism.
• Experience working in 2:1 care packages.
• Knowledge of epilepsy, seizures and rescue medication.
• Experience with medication administration.
• Ability to communicate with non-verbal individuals.
• Patient, calm and compassionate approach.
• Flexibility to work 12-hour day/night shifts including weekends.

Responsibilities

• Provide 2:1 support during the day to promote safety, wellbeing and independence.
• Support the service user with daily routines and activities at home.
• Use picture cards and objects of reference to aid communication and choices.
• Assist with medication administration as per care plan.
• Monitor epilepsy and seizures; administer rescue medication when trained.
• Maintain close supervision and promote safety in community settings.
• Accompany to church services and community activities.
• Support attendance at youth clubs and other outings.
• Encourage participation in preferred activities.
• Recognise distress signs and respond calmly and appropriately.
• Follow agreed approaches to support behaviours and reduce risk.
• Support community access, walks and visits to places of interest.

Skills

2:1 care experience

Autism support

Epilepsy knowledge

Medication administration

Non-verbal communication

Driving licence

Job description

2:1 SUPPORT WORKER – COMPLEX CARE

Location: [Location to be confirmed]

Pay: £15.20 per hour PAYE, including holiday pay

Hours: Full-time

Shift pattern: 12-hour day and night shifts

Day shifts: 8:30am–8:30pm

Night shifts: 8:30pm–8:30am

Working pattern: Monday to Sunday, including weekends

ABOUT THE ROLE

We are looking for a compassionate, reliable and dedicated Support Worker to join our team, providing 2:1 support to an adult man in his own home and within the community.

The service user is in his 30s and has autism and epilepsy. He is non-verbal and communicates through eye movements, pointing and guiding others towards what he wants. Staff use objects of reference and picture cards to help him understand his daily routine, what is happening next and the choices available to him.

This is a rewarding opportunity for someone who is patient, observant and confident supporting adults with learning disabilities, autism and behaviours that may challenge.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Providing 2:1 support during the day to promote safety, wellbeing and independence.
• Supporting the service user with daily routines and activities at home.
• Using picture cards and objects of reference to support communication and offer choices.
• Supporting medication management in line with the care plan.
• Monitoring and managing epilepsy and seizures, including administering rescue medication when required and trained to do so.
• Maintaining close supervision and supporting safety awareness, particularly in the community.
• Accompanying the service user to daily church services.
• Supporting attendance at weekly youth club activities and other community outings.
• Encouraging participation in activities he enjoys, including playing with cars and cards.
• Recognising signs of distress and responding calmly and appropriately.
• Following agreed approaches to support behaviours that may challenge and reduce the risk of incidents.
• Supporting community access, walks and visits to places of interest.
• Being flexible to accompany the service user on family holidays and trips when required.
• Providing overnight monitoring due to the risk of nocturnal seizures and working alongside the additional sleep-in support arrangement.

ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS

• Previous experience supporting adults with learning disabilities and autism.
• Experience working within a 2:1 care package.
• Experience supporting individuals who may display behaviours that challenge.
• Knowledge of epilepsy, seizure management and rescue medication.
• Experience with medication administration and management.
• Understanding of non-verbal communication and alternative communication methods.
• A patient, calm and compassionate approach.
• Confidence supporting individuals safely at home and in the community.
• Flexibility to work 12-hour day and night shifts, including weekends.

A full UK driving licence and confidence driving the service user's car are required to support community access.

TRAINING AND INDUCTION

You will be required to complete three days of package-specific training, including virtual and face-to-face sessions. Additional training, potentially up to five days, may be required depending on your experience and the Clinical Care Manager's assessment of your competencies.

SHADOW SHIFTS

You will be offered between three and five shadow shifts to help you become familiar with the service user, his communication methods, routines and support requirements. Shadow shifts are paid at a lower rate.

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE

We are looking for someone who is dependable, understanding and confident supporting adults with autism, learning disabilities and epilepsy. You should be able to build a positive relationship with the service user, understand his individual communication style and support him to enjoy meaningful activities while maintaining his safety and independence.

If you have the relevant experience and are looking for a rewarding full-time Support Worker role, we would love to hear from you.