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Bluetop Care Ltd; Gravesend; On-site; GBP 22,000 - 26,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Specialist induction & training

Small, tailored placement

Job summary

Bluetop Care Ltd is seeking a dedicated Residential Support Worker for a brand-new single-occupancy specialist home in the Gravesend area. You will support a young person with autism and complex needs, using PBS and low-arousal communication methods, with close collaboration from education and health professionals.

Role involves 2:1 staffing, personal care, epilepsy/PICA risk management, and structured activities to support transitions and daily routines in a calm, safe environment.

Qualifications

• Experience supporting children/young people with autism and complex needs.
• Experience using PBS approaches and low-arousal strategies.
• PMVA training completed or willing to undertake.

Responsibilities

• Provide minimum 2:1 staffing at all times for continuous supervision.
• Apply PBS strategies consistently with autism-informed, low-arousal communication.
• Use visual communication tools confidently (PECS/Widgit).
• Support with personal care, medication administration, and daily routines per MAR/chart guidance.
• Safely manage epilepsy and PICA risks and respond to changes.
• Record incidents, triggers, strategies, and progress for multi-agency reviews.

Skills

Autism support

PBS strategies

Low-arousal communication

PMVA training

Visual communication (PECS/Widgit)

Epilepsy management

Safeguarding training

Driving license

Education

Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare

Working towards relevant qualification

Tools

PECS

Widgit symbols

Job description

Residential Support Worker – Specialist Single-Occupancy Placement

About the Role

We're on the lookout for dedicated and caring residential support workers to be part of a brand-new single-occupancy specialist home. Here, you'll provide focused support to a young person with complex needs. This is a truly fulfilling opportunity for those who have a heartfelt understanding of autism, sensory regulation, and low-arousal approaches and who want to make a meaningful impact during a crucial transition period. You'll be part of a small, tailored team that delivers consistent, therapeutic, and person-centered support. Collaborating closely with education, health, and behavior support professionals, your role will be to help the young person feel safe, understood, and at home.

About the Young Person You Will Support

The young individual has autism spectrum disorder, along with a significant learning disability and global developmental delay. They primarily communicate in non-verbal ways, using gestures like pointing, smiling, and clapping, as well as visual aids such as PECS or Widgit-style symbols. Additionally, they face challenges with epilepsy and PICA and have considerable sensory and emotional regulation needs. This can lead to behaviors that may be difficult to manage, such as biting, scratching, spitting, throwing things, and self-injury, especially when they feel overwhelmed by increased demands, reduced personal space, changes in routine, or when their needs aren’t quickly recognized or addressed. They thrive in the presence of familiar adults and in calm, predictable settings. Low-pressure interactions, short, structured activities, and sensory experiences like trampolining, swinging, water play, and outdoor time are particularly beneficial for them. It's important to note that they have a limited understanding of danger, so they need constant supervision to ensure their safety.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide minimum 2:1 staffing at all times, ensuring continuous supervision and close attention to safety
• Apply Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) strategies consistently, using autism-informed, low-arousal communication.
• Use visual communication tools confidently, including PECS and Widgit-style symbols.
• Support with personal care, medication administration, and daily routines, in line with the current MAR chart and clinical guidance
• Safely manage epilepsy- and PICA-related risks, recognising and responding promptly to changes in presentation
• Use physical intervention only as a last resort, in accordance with PMVA (Prevention and Management of Violence and Aggression) training, ensuring it is always the least restrictive option, properly assessed and recorded.
• Support structured daytime activity and educational engagement, working alongside tutors and the wider professional network
• Provide careful, gradual support with travel and community access, recognizing that car journeys and new environments can be distressing.
• Facilitate and prepare for family time using familiar routines, photographs, social stories, and visual prompts
• Accurately record incidents, triggers, effective strategies, and progress to support multi-agency reviews

Essential Skills and Experience

• Extensive experience supporting children or young people with autism, learning disabilities, and complex care needs
• Extensive experience managing epilepsy, including recognizing seizure activity and following protocols safely
• Experience applying Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) approaches and proactive, low-arousal strategies
• PMVA (Prevention and Management of Violence and Aggression) trained
• Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare, or equivalent, or working towards this qualification
• Confident use of visual communication systems such as PECS or Widget
• Enhanced DBS check, or willingness to undergo one, and up-to-date safeguarding training
• Pediatric first aid, or willingness to complete this upon appointment

Desirable Skills and Experience

• Experience of PICA-related risk management
• Experience working alongside Speech and Language Therapy (SALT), Occupational Therapy (OT), or wider clinical teams
• Experience supporting young people through transition, including transition to adulthood
• Makaton or wider Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) training
• Full, clean driving license
• Experience supporting Looked After young people, with awareness of the Court of Protection or inherent jurisdiction processes

What We Offer

• A small, highly individualized placement rather than a large group setting
• A genuinely supportive team culture with regular reflective practice and supervision
• Full induction and access to ongoing specialist training
• Competitive pay, reflecting the skill and commitment this role requires