Learning Disability and Autism Support Worker

Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust; Bath; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare organization in Bath is seeking a Learning Disability and Autism Support Worker to provide compassionate, person-centered care for patients during their hospital stay. The role involves working closely with the Lead Nurse and the multidisciplinary team to support patients and their families, engaging them in meaningful activities and advocating for their needs. The ideal applicant will have a QCF Level 3 qualification, demonstrate strong communication skills, and exhibit a commitment to improving patient experiences. This position provides an opportunity to work in a supportive and inclusive environment.

Benefits

Supportive working environment

Staff wellbeing programs

Career development opportunities

Qualifications

• Strong communication skills required.
• Ability to stay calm under pressure is essential.
• Commitment to improving patient experience is necessary.

Responsibilities

• Deliver person-centered care to patients with learning disabilities.
• Support nurses and the multidisciplinary team with tasks.
• Engage patients in activities to provide emotional support.
• Complete documentation and assist with audits and training.
• Communicate effectively with patients, carers, and staff.

Skills

Empathy

Adaptability

Teamwork

Strong Communication Skills

Education

QCF Level 3 qualification or equivalent experience

Job description

Overview

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.

Responsibilities

• 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.
• 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 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 Hospital's 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.

Important note on work rights

Please note - Due to recent changes in UK immigration and visa rules applicants who do not currently have the right to work in the UK may not be considered unless an alternative right to work solution can be provided. Candidates requiring sponsorship (or who will need sponsorship at the end of a current visa e.g. those with graduate visas) should review the eligibility criteria on the gov.uk website before applying:

Prove your right to work to an employer: Overview - GOV.UK

What you need to succeed

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.

About working at RUH

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 in 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.