Independence Plus Support Worker

Sight Village; Birmingham; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 26,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

On site car parking

QAC Fitness Centre access

Cycle to Work Scheme

Annual Flu vaccination/voucher

Health and Wellbeing Services

Job summary

Queen Alexandra Charity Birmingham (QAC) seeks a dedicated Independence Plus Support Worker to help residential students achieve independence and practical living skills. The role involves shifts, sleep-ins, and weekend work, with a focus on person-centred care, accurate record-keeping, and adherence to safeguarding policies.

You will collaborate with IP staff, attend team meetings, and undertake mandatory training while supporting learners in a stimulating educational environment that values

Qualifications

• Experience in care settings or IP-type roles is preferred.
• Ability to document care and support assessments clearly.
• Understanding of safeguarding and privacy principles.

Responsibilities

• Promote aims and ethos of the College within teaching and college life.
• Administer prescribed medication per policy and handle errors immediately.
• Support clients with healthcare needs including diabetes and epilepsy.
• Plan and promote leisure activities and monitor progress via Care Log.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Microsoft Word

Email systems

Empathy

Willingness to learn

Clear communication

Team collaboration

Leisure planning

CQC knowledge

Data protection

Flexibility

Record keeping

Mental Capacity Act

Tools

Databridge MIS

Job description

Careers at

Independence Plus Support Worker

To be part of a team of care staff supporting IP clients to access the 24 hour curriculum at QAC by working towards set targets to develop client’s independent living skills.

Salary Is Based On Experience And Qualifications.

This role involves shift work, sleep ins, and working one day on the weekend.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.

Application Deadline September 23, 2026 Department Independence Plus Employment Type Permanent Location Harborne, Birmingham, UK Workplace type Onsite Compensation £25,115 - £25,708 / year Reporting To Giles Logan

• Promote the aims and ethos of the College both within the teaching and learning context and within the corporate life of the College.
• Understand and respect individual client’s right, choices, personal dignity, privacy and aspirations.
• Appreciate and comply with CQC Regulations in relation to residential care.
• To administer prescribed Medication and Homely Remedies to clients as required, closely following QAC’s Handling and Administering Medication policy. To immediately act up any medication errors.
• To support clients with healthcare needs including, but not limited to, Diabetes and Epilepsy.
• Help plan, promote and maintain good care practice and contribute positively to teamwork through good communication with other IP support staff and attend team meetings.
• To monitor daily support and achievements via the ‘Care Log’ system on Databridge MIS
• Contribute to the implementation of support plans, risk assessments, clients’ reviews, and targets.
• Liaise with clients’ families, where appropriate.
• Initiate and be involved in clients’ leisure activities.
• Encourage integration and inclusion into the wider social community
• Maintain effective record systems to a quality standard, which complies with internal and external regulations.
• Actively partake in professional supervision and attend mandatory training as required
• To have a flexible approach to rota requirements within the remit of service need as directed by IP Manager and seniors, including sleep ins on a rota basis (for which there is an additional nightly payment).
• To work under the guidance of the IP Manager and seniors on a day to day basis
• Become familiar with all policies and procedures, including Health and Safety, Clients Complaints procedures, First Aid and Safeguarding.
• To be able to relate, motivate and communicate with young adults with disabilities.
• To be able to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.
• Have a willingness to complete training and the care certificate by demonstrating the necessary competencies
• To be able to follow company policies and procedures
• To have previous experience within a care setting (can be paid, voluntary, carer or support worker IP experience)
• To be able to make effective working relations with other members of the IP team.
• To have an understanding of and commitment to equal opportunities.
• To be able to keep calm and follow procedures in stressful situations.
• To be committed to supporting residential clients to develop their independent skills and to support them with transition post college
• To have a proven ability to complete written reports

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

• Excellent interpersonal and teamwork skills
• Good standard of IT skills, including Microsoft word and email systems
• Caring, understanding and nurturing individual
• An individual keen to develop into the role and attend training
• Have the ability to communicate clearly with people with support needs
• Experience of supporting a team
• Experience with planning leisure activities
• General knowledge of CQC’s Key Lines of Enquiry
• Understanding of confidentiality and data protection
• To have a flexible approach to the job role
• Experience of maintaining clear and accurate records
• Understanding of the Mental Capacity act

Why work at Queen Alexandra Charity Birmingham

Join our team at Queen Alexandra Charity! Are you passionate about making a difference to the lives of students with special educational needs? Do you thrive in an inclusive and supportive academic environment? If so, we want YOU to join our team. QAC has just gone through an exciting rebrand, dealt with a period of swift growth and academic improvement and this is your opportunity to become part of a vibrant College that is moving forward and making a real difference to the lives and futures of our students.

The newly structured Queen Alexandra Charity Birmingham offers you the chance to have a positive impact as you join a committed group of colleagues in ensuring that all students achieve their aims and aspirations. We are dedicated to providing exceptional education and support to students with diverse learning needs and life experiences. Our specialist setting fosters an inclusive community where every student is valued, supported, and empowered to reach their full potential.

QAC offers a vibrant, varied and enriching educational experience for both residential and day students. Our curriculum aims to maximise adult life, independence and work opportunities for all students. Class sizes are designed to meet specific needs and support levels are high.

Joining our supportive team, you will have the opportunity to:

• Work closely with students with SEN to achieve their goals
• Make a difference to the educational experience of young people
• Be a voice for students and staff in specialist education
• Foster a positive and inclusive learning environment, promoting academic growth, self-development and self-confidence
• Develop your own skills, aspirations and progress your career.

Our benefits include;

• Access to on site car parking
• Use of QAC Fitness Centre (subject to opening hours)
• Cycle to Work Scheme (Salary Sacrifice)
• 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme Helpline (BHSF)
• Access to Education Support Free Helpline for Teachers & Education Staff
• QAC Mental Health First Aiders & activities to support health and wellbeing
• BHSF Benefits Package including Healthcare Plans, discounted shopping/services
• Annual Flu vaccination/voucher
• Access to other benefit/discount schemes (which may be subject to charge) e.g. Blue Light Card, TOTUM (NUS), Charity Worker Discounts, Discounts for Teachers
• Dell Advantage programme - a free programme that offers savings to students, parents and all staff at QAC - up to 20% off. https://www.dell.com/en-uk/lp/dell-advantage
• Health and Wellbeing Services (Occupational Health/Counselling)
• Free Tea/Coffee and Staff Room facilities
• Dining Room facilities with hot/cold food (free meal provided for those supporting students at mealtimes)
• Additional discretionary concessionary/closure days as part of leave entitlement (including closure over Christmas/New Year period)
• Reward and Recognition Policy – Living the Values Awards (team & individual) and long service
• Enhanced/Occupational paid leave e.g. maternity/paternity (subject to qualifying criteria)
• Occupational sick pay (based on length of service)
• On site wellbeing activities (e.g. yoga, meditation)
• Support for training/ CPD (either by way of study leave and/or funding)
• Flexible working arrangements including Flexible Working Policy Agreements, Time Off in Lieu (TOIL) in prior agreement with line manager.

This list is not exhaustive and may be subject to review and/or change.

We look forward to receiving your application and knowing more about your qualifications, skills, personal qualities and experience that you would bring to the role and to QAC.

Under Section 7 of SVGA 2006 it is an offence to apply for the role if the applicant is barred from engaging in regulated activity relevant to children. The College's Safeguarding Policies are available here

About Queen Alexandra Charity

Queen Alexandra Charity (QAC) provides education, residential support, community services and enterprises in support of young adults with learning difficulties and disabilities. Education is provided through a national residential College that supports a diverse range of student/client abilities and needs. Our College provides education, training, routes to independent living and employment through an innovative, holistic approach to learning and support. It offers a vibrant, varied and fun educational experience for both residential and day students. Our curriculum aims to maximise adult life, independence and work opportunities for all students. Class sizes are small and support levels high.

We have educational and learning sites based in Birmingham, one of Europe’s most welcoming and vibrant cities, with a rich and diverse culture. Our main site is based in Harborne, a pleasant leafy Birmingham suburb, on a friendly and green 8-acre campus with excellent facilities and resources. In addition we also have Pinewood Campus which is located on a business park and is designated to employment progression.

Clients within our Residential Services programme still require support and the aim is to deliver a service that provides them with the means to live independently/semi independently into the future. Many clients are either in education, voluntary work or paid employment not linked to QAC directly.

Our Community Services based at our Umberslade Campus in Stirchley include a supporter worker service, women's group, men's group, LGBTQ plus group, Saturday Socials, The Night Owl Experience (disability friendly night club visit in Birmingham City Centre).

All students, clients and staff are supported within safe and well-resourced environments.

QAC makes a positive difference to the lives and learning of people with disabilities and learning difficulties. We have high expectations of staff, students and clients whilst being responsive, innovative and collaborative. Our Charity values drive how we work with students, clients, stakeholders and as a team.

We continue to attract and retain staff of the highest calibre, who are proud of QAC’s achievements and who wish to be an integral part of ongoing and future successes.

As Leaders in Diversity which drives the culture at QAC and we warmly welcome applications from individuals who share our values, from all backgrounds, to add to our committed and diverse team.

Stage 3

1st Interview

Stage 4

Offer

Stage 1

Applied

Stage 2

Reviewing Applications