Self-Employed Buddy/Support Worker LTES1750

Independent Lives; Lewes; On-site; GBP 21,000 - 34,000; Part time

Job summary

Independent Lives in Lewes is seeking a self-employed Buddy/Support Worker to provide 5 hours per week of on-site support for a young adult. The role focuses on fostering independence, budgeting, wellbeing, and community access, with duties including personal care, cooking, transport, and companionship.

The position is part-time and permanent, with candidates applying as self-employed and setting their own rates.

Qualifications

• Experience in providing personal support and companionship.
• Ability to follow instructions and work with autonomy.
• Good timekeeping and reliability.
• Ability to communicate clearly with a young adult and carers.

Responsibilities

• Provide personal care and grooming.
• Support with budgeting, wellbeing, cooking, and independent living skills.
• Offer 1:1 emotional and social support to improve wellbeing.
• Arrange and support community activities (art, swimming, cinema).
• Assist with transportation and daily tasks as required.

Skills

Communication

Interpersonal skills

English

Reliability

Job description

Self-Employed Buddy/Support Worker LTES1750

Company:

Salary: TBD (self employed - please apply with your rates)

Hourly pay rate: TBD

Hours per week: 5 hours per week, days and times to be discussed at interview.

Location: Lewes

Working pattern: On-site

Job type: Permanent

Company: Independent Lives

Hours: Part-time

Location: Lewes

Working pattern: On-site

Job type: Permanent

Posting date: 9 Oct 2026

Closing date: 8 Nov 2026

Summary

Self-Employed Buddy/Support Worker

I am an 18-year-old lady living in Lewes and am looking for a self-employed buddy/support worker. I am looking for a kind and patient person to build a trusting and safe relationship with who can support me for 5 hours per week to access the community to support around budgeting, healthy relationships, support with improving wellbeing, cooking, developing independent living skills as I transition to adulthood and 1:1 emotional and social support to improve wellbeing and access relevant mental health and community services.

I love arts and crafts and enjoying going swimming and to the cinema and I hope this is something we can do together.

Duties include:

• Personal grooming
• Moving and handling
• Other relevant duties as required
• Administration
• Cooking
• Transportation
• Companionship
• Personal grooming, just check I am dressed appropriately for the weather conditions and my hair is ok and I have used deodorant for instance.
• I sometimes need support to get in and out of the car due to muscle soreness.
• Respectful of the employer's privacy and confidentiality
• Reliable with good timekeeping
• Able to both follow instructions and work on own initiative
• Hygienic, tidy and well organised
• Fit and healthy to undertake the required duties
• Patient and possess excellent interpersonal skills
• Honest and cheerful
• Creative
• Able to speak and read English to a reasonable standard
• Must be comfortable with pets
• Able to always work to high standards of health & safety
• Medication prompting/administering
• Housekeeping
• Medication prompting.

Candidate qualities:

• Respectful of the employer's privacy and confidentiality
• Reliable with good timekeeping
• Able to both follow instructions and work on own initiative
• Hygienic, tidy and well organised
• Fit and healthy to undertake the required duties
• Patient and possess excellent interpersonal skills
• Honest and cheerful
• Creative
• Able to speak and read English to a reasonable standard
• Must be comfortable with pets
• Able to always work to high standards of health & safety

Additional requirements

Non-smoker preferred or someone willing to refrain from smoking during working hours.

Notes:

All applicants must have the right to work in the UK and be willing to undertake an Enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service check if required. If the role is offered on a self-employed basis, you will be responsible for the cost of your own DBS check.

If you are successful in your application for this position, you will be either engaged directly or employed by the individual employer and not by Independent Lives. The role may be offered on an employed or self-employed basis, depending on the suitability and agreement with the employer. If the role is employed, you will be entitled to holiday pay and issued an employment contract.

Please note: If you do not hear back within three weeks of applying, unfortunately your application has not been successful on this occasion.

Proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme.

About Disability Confident

Disability Confident is a government scheme. It encourages employers to recruit and retain disabled people and those with long term health conditions.