Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) Support Worker

ASA Recruitment; City of Edinburgh; On-site; GBP 20,000 - 24,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pay

Weekly payments

Holiday accrual

Job summary

ASA Recruitment is seeking caring, experienced Support Workers to support adults with learning disabilities and complex care needs. The role requires a strong understanding that behaviours that challenge are a form of communication, with triggers identified and PBS-based responses used with patience and confidence.

A driving licence is preferred but not essential. What you’ll get includes competitive pay, weekly payments and opportunities to develop skills in behavioural observation and

Qualifications

• Experience supporting people with learning disabilities, complex care needs or behaviours that challenge.
• Clear understanding that behaviours may communicate distress, pain, discomfort or unmet needs.
• Calm, patient and compassionate approach, especially when distressed.

Responsibilities

• Notice changes in mood, body language, communication and behaviour that may indicate distress.
• Recognise what someone may be communicating through actions, including pain or changes to routine.
• Share observations with the wider team to inform support.
• Use calm communication and PBS strategies to help individuals feel safe and regulated.
• Adapt approach to each person’s communication style and needs.
• Apply PBS strategies to reduce distress and promote positive behaviour.
• Encourage participation in hobbies and appointments.
• Administer medication safely and record doses per care procedures.
• Document behavioural changes and interventions to inform ongoing support.
• Follow individual support plans and risk assessments with dignity and independence.

Skills

Observational skills

De-escalation

PBS knowledge

Lone working

Job description

Ready for your Next step?

ASA Recruitment is looking for caring, experienced Support Workers to support adults with learning disabilities and complex care needs.

The main requirement for this role is a strong understanding of behaviours that challenge. You will recognise that behaviour is a form of communication, identify possible triggers and respond with patience, compassion and confidence.

Using person centred approaches and Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) principles, you will help individuals feel understood, reduce distress, build independence and enjoy meaningful lives in their communities.

A driving licence is preferred, as you may drive service user’s mobility vehicles to appointments, local services and activities, but it is not the main requirement for the role.

What the Role Involves

• Notice changes in mood, body language, communication and behaviour that may indicate distress, anxiety or unmet needs.

• Consider what someone may be communicating through their actions, including pain, frustration, sensory overload or changes to routine.

• Recognise situations, environments or interactions that may cause distress and share your observations with the wider team.

• Use calm communication, reassurance, appropriate distraction and agreed support strategies to help individuals feel safe and regulated.

• Adapt your approach to each person’s communication style, preferences and emotional needs.

• Apply agreed PBS strategies consistently to support positive behaviour and reduce avoidable distress.

• Encourage individuals to enjoy hobbies, attend appointments, meet others and participate in activities that interest them.

• Administer medication safely and accurately, following prescribed instructions and recording all doses in line with care procedure

• Document behavioural changes, incidents, triggers and successful interventions to help inform ongoing support.

• Follow individual support plans and risk assessments while promoting dignity, choice, independence and least-restrictive practice.

Who We’re Looking For

• Experience supporting people with learning disabilities, complex care needs or behaviours that challenge.

• A clear understanding that behaviours that challenge may communicate distress, pain, discomfort, frustration, sensory needs or other unmet needs.

• Strong observational skills and the ability to recognise changes in behaviour, mood, communication and presentation.

• A calm, patient and compassionate approach, particularly when someone is distressed or behaviour begins to escape.

• Confidence using positive communication and de-escalation techniques, with a willingness to develop your PBS knowledge.

• The ability to follow support plans, record observations accurately and communicate concerns promptly.

• Confidence working autonomously, including in community settings and during lone working.

• Current PVG membership or willingness to join/update.

• A valid UK automatic or manual driving licence and confidence driving service users’ vehicles is preferred but not required

What You’ll Get

• Competitive pay, weekly payments and holiday accrual.

• Experience across learning disability and complex care services.

• Opportunities to develop your skills in behavioural observation, de-escalation and Positive Behaviour Support.

• Valuable experience to support your ongoing career in social care.

• £250 Refer a Friend bonus (terms and conditions apply).

Ready to Make a Difference?