Learning Disability and Autism Support Worker

NHS; Bath; On-site; GBP 20,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare provider in Bath seeks a dedicated Learning Disability and Autism Support Worker. The candidate will provide compassionate care and support for patients with learning disabilities and autism during their hospital stay. Responsibilities include engaging patients in activities, documentation, and assisting nursing staff. A QCF Level 3 qualification or equivalent experience is required. Join a team committed to exceptional, person-centred care that values staff wellbeing and diverse contributions.

Benefits

Comprehensive staff benefits

Support for career development

Wellbeing and wellness programs

Qualifications

• Compassionate understanding for patients and carers.
• Experience supporting individuals with Learning Disabilities and/or Autistic people.
• Ability to develop and support therapeutic activities.

Responsibilities

• Deliver person-centred care to patients.
• Support nurses and multidisciplinary team with clinical tasks.
• Engage patients in activities and provide emotional support.

Skills

Empathy

Adaptability

Teamwork

Strong communication skills

Ability to stay calm under pressure

Education

QCF Level 3 in healthcare or equivalent

Job description

Go back Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust

Learning disability and Autism Support Worker

The closing date is 16 January 2026

As a Learning Disability and Autism Support Worker, you'll play a vital role in ensuring patients with learning disabilities and autistic people receive safe, compassionate, and person-centred care during their hospital stay. You'll work closely with the Lead Nurse and multidisciplinary teams to provide practical support, engagement, and advocacy for patients and their families.

This role requires empathy, adaptability, and teamwork. You'll need strong communication skills, the ability to stay calm under pressure, and a commitment to improving patient experience. A QCF Level 3 qualification (or equivalent experience) is essential, and we'll support you to achieve your Care Certificate if you don't already have it.

Main duties of the job

• Deliver person-centred care to patients with learning disabilities and autistic people during their hospital stay.
• Support registered nurses and the multidisciplinary team with clinical and non-clinical tasks.
• Engage patients in activities and provide emotional support to them and their families.
• Complete documentation such as Learning Disability and Autism hospital passports.
• Assist with audits, surveys, and staff training across the Trust.
• Communicate effectively with patients, carers, and staff, adapting your approach to individual needs.

About us

At the RUH we put people at the heart of what we do, working together as one team to make a difference for our patients, each other, and our community. No matter what your role is, we value everyone's contribution in supporting the exceptional, person-centred care we pride ourselves on.

We are proud to be in the top 20 best hospitals to work for in the country.

We are committed to creating a compassionate and inclusive environment. This can be seen in our growing community of staff networks - celebrating successes and creating opportunities to listen and learn. We value our differences, champion kindness and civility, and truly believe that diversity makes us stronger.

A culture of learning, developing and innovating is the thread that runs throughout our whole organisation. We want to support you to thrive, taking your career to its full potential.

We value staff wellbeing, with a well-established programme of support. We believe in a holistic approach spanning all aspects of living a healthy life, including physical, emotional, spiritual and financial wellbeing. We've even got a pool!

We are committed to supporting you and hope you want to join our team. In the meantime, find out more about living and working the beautiful historic city of Bath, learn about our extensive package of staff benefits, and read about how we're providing healthcare fit for the future with the landmark Dyson Cancer Centre and our passion for research.

Job responsibilities

The post holder will be able to demonstrate compassion and understanding for patients and carers.

Be able to work with patients in a collaborative way to achieve holistic outcomes and personalise care.

Support patients, carers and families in situations of emotional distress relating to Learning Disability and Autism.

Be a role model for Learning Disability and Autism support and liaison, raising concerns and challenging inappropriate behaviour where appropriate.

Able to communicate confidently with a diverse range of patients, carers and staff.

Support ward staff with managing patients activities of daily living where it is considered appropriate and with discussion with the Lead Nurse for Learning Disability and Autism and the Practitioner for Learning Disability and Autism.

Support the delivery of the Learning Disability Steering Group improvement standards and relate this to the Royal United Hospitals values.

Ensure that confidentiality is maintained in line with national & Trust local policies at all times.

Develop and support therapeutic activities/engagement that is of interest to the individual person under the supervision of trained staff.

Organise own daily workload with support of the Lead Nurse for Learning Disability and Autism and the Practitioner for Learning Disability and Autism e.g. identification of patients to review and support.

Ability to take telephone calls and feedback to the Lead Nurse for Learning Disability and Autism and the Practitioner for Learning Disability and Autism.

Accurately document the outcome of your engagement with patients in clinical notes and Millennium electronic records.

Support the Lead Nurse for Learning Disability and Autism and the Practitioner for Learning Disability and Autism e.g. minute taking at meetings, distribution of information to ward teams, auditing and collecting surveys.

Assist in the development and support of the Learning Disability and Autism champion role.

Provide current and timely information and signposting to families and carers to appropriate support services.

Person Specification

• A Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF) Level 3. This could be an NVQ, BTEC or equivalent international qualification in healthcare.
• You may also have previous experience in healthcare and have your Care Certificate if not, we will support you to achieve this qualification within the first three months of joining us.
• Or You will be able to demonstrate the equivalent level of experience.
• Supported individuals with Learning Disabilities and/or Autistic people for 2 years

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust