On Call Support Assistant

Diverse Abilities; Poole; On-site; GBP 21,000 - 25,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Blue Light Card discounts

Pension

Holiday pay

Cycle to work

Training support

Long service awards

Job summary

Diverse Abilities is seeking an On-Call Support Assistant to provide responsive care and coordination for individuals with learning or physical disabilities in Poole and Bournemouth. You will deliver hands-on care, assist with out-of-hours shifts, and help maintain high standards of service while coordinating with teams and managing admin tasks.

The role requires flexibility for evenings and weekends, strong communication, and a full UK driving licence.

Qualifications

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills required.
• Ability to plan and organise workloads and adapt to changing priorities.
• Willingness to work evenings, nights and weekends on on-call rota.
• Ability to remain calm and make quick decisions in emergencies.
• Full UK manual driving licence is essential.

Responsibilities

• Provide personal care and support with dignity and independence.
• Respond to emergencies and coordinate practical solutions.
• Support staff over the phone or in person, offering guidance.
• Arrange and coordinate cover for sickness/absences.
• Cover shifts to maintain safe staffing levels as needed.
• Complete administrative tasks and update records.

Skills

Communication

Organisational skills

Flexibility

Calm under pressure

Driving licence

Job description

Adult Services - Supporting Living, Poole & Bournemouth

An exciting opportunity has arisen to join our On-Call team. We are currently seeking a resilient, flexible, and reliable individual to join our team to provide effective support to enable people with a learning and/or physical disability to live their lives to the full.

As an On-Call Support Assistant, you will be a key point of contact during out-of-hours periods, ensuring that the people we support and our staff receive timely and effective assistance. You will combine hands‑on care, coordination, and administrative responsibilities to maintain high standards of service delivery.

This role requires staff to:

• Providing personal care and support to individuals (regulated activity), ensuring dignity, respect, and independence at all times
• Responding to emergency situations and providing practical solutions or attending services when required
• Supporting staff over the phone or in person, offering guidance and problem‑solving assistance
• Arranging and coordinating cover for staff sickness and unexpected absences
• Covering shifts within services when necessary to maintain safe staffing levels
• Completing administrative tasks, including reporting incidents and updating records
• Collecting prescriptions and supporting with essential errands
• Ensuring effective communication between teams to maintain continuity of care
• Promoting a safe, supportive, and person‑centred environment for all individuals
• A caring, proactive, and resilient individual with a passion for supporting others
• Previous experience in a care or support role (preferred but not essential)
• Ability to remain calm and make decisions under pressure, especially in emergency situations
• Strong communication and organisational skills
• Flexibility to work evenings, nights, and weekends as part of an on‑call rota
• Willingness to provide personal care
• Full UK Manual Driving Licence (essential)
• Commitment to delivering high‑quality, person‑centred care

For full details on requirements and essential skills required for this role, check the job description linked above.

Commitment to safeguarding

Diverse Abilities is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and adults that we support and expects all staff and volunteers to share the same commitment. Please ensure a full work history is completed in your application form including any gaps of employment. Applicants will be required to complete a satisfactory enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check prior to the post commencing. The Charity is an equal opportunities employer.

Benefits and bonuses

We offer a wide range of employee rewards and benefits. These include access to hundreds of retailer, restaurant, entertainment, and hotel discounts through Blue Light Card, auto‑enrolment pensions, paid accrued holiday, and a cycle to work scheme. Click here for a full list of our rewards and benefits.

You’ll also get paid while you complete your training and as you proceed to any diplomas.

We also provide long service awards at 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25+ years including bonuses, vouchers, and additional paid time off.

Introducing Reasons to Care

"Reasons to Care" will take you on a heartwarming journey, making an impact that truly matters. It’s our podcast on all things to do with working in care.

We'll dive into some uplifting stories that'll make you feel all warm and fuzzy inside, changing lives with love, one story at a time.From speaking to those who have worked for us for years and new members of the team, through to parents and people we support, there’s lots of stories to enjoy.

Find out more about what our employees have to say about working for us.