Learning Disabilities Support Worker

The Methodist Church in Britain; Bocking; On-site; GBP 21,000 - 27,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual leave up to 32 days

Company pension (NEST)

Induction and training

Annual salary review

Mileage allowance

Healthshield

Employee Assistance Programme

Uniform and PPE

Company smartphone

Job summary

The Methodist Church in Britain is seeking a part-time post at its Bocking Roundwood Day Opportunities Service to support adults with learning disabilities and autism. The role focuses on person-centred activities, horticulture, and outdoor learning in a spacious 8-acre site, with 28 hours across Tuesday to Friday.

Candidates should have enthusiasm for meaningful activities, an interest in horticulture, and be willing to provide personal care as needed.

Qualifications

• Experience delivering outcome-focused sessions and meaningful activities.
• Interest in horticulture, gardening or outdoor learning.
• Willingness to provide personal care when needed.

Responsibilities

• Support customers to build skills, confidence and independence through person-centred activities.
• Support customers to grow produce in the horticultural areas.
• Support customers to develop life skills.
• Support customers to connect with nature and take part in outdoor learning.
• Support customers to achieve personal outcomes.
• Provide personal care where needed.
• Log customer information using basic IT.

Skills

Listening skills

Empathy

IT skills

Initiative

Flexibility

Motivation

Education

Health/Social care qualification

Job description

This permanent post supports adults with learning disabilities and autism at ECL's Bocking Roundwood Day Opportunities Service. Work centres on person-centred activities that build skills, confidence and independence, often through horticulture and outdoor learning. The site spans 8 acres of polytunnels, greenhouses and wildlife-rich outdoor space, with 28 hours across Tuesday to Friday. A full driving licence and own vehicle are required, and visa-sponsored candidates cannot apply directly.

What the job involves

• Support customers to build skills, confidence and independence through person-centred activities
• Support customers to grow produce in the horticultural areas
• Support customers to develop life skills
• Support customers to connect with nature and take part in outdoor learning
• Support customers to achieve personal outcomes
• Provide personal care where needed
• Log customer information using basic IT

Experience

• Experience or enthusiasm for delivering outcome-focused sessions and meaningful activities
• Genuine interest in or experience of horticulture, gardening or outdoor learning

Skills & knowledge

• Exceptional listening and communication skills
• Empathetic approach
• Basic IT skills for logging customer information
• Proactive and able to work on own initiative
• Flexible working to meet the needs of the service
• Creativity, positivity and ability to motivate and engage others

Checks & eligibility

• Full driving licence and own vehicle
• Enhanced DBS check
• Right to work in the UK without needing visa sponsorship

Other

• Passion for supporting adults with learning disabilities and/or autism
• Willingness to provide personal care
• Commitment to promoting independence, choice and inclusion
• Living by ECL's values of caring, excellence, integrity and teamwork

Nice to have

• Experience supporting vulnerable adults or relevant lived experience
• Health and social care qualifications, such as QCF or NVQ
• Experience documenting activities, outcomes and support records

What’s offered

• Up to 32 days annual leave a year, including bank holidays
• Company pension (NEST) with employer contributions of up to 6%
• Fully paid induction and training, with paid-for qualifications
• Annual salary review and performance-related bonus
• 55p per mile tax-free mileage
• Healthcare support scheme via Healthshield, paid for by ECL
• 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme and mental health first aiders
• Uniform, PPE and company smart phone provided