Senior education support worker

Sense; Streatley; On-site; GBP 15,000 - 21,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Holiday entitlement 24 days + bank

DBS Check

Leadership development

Training opportunities

Flexible working

Wellbeing support

Pension

Disability Confident employer

Job summary

Sense College Streatley is seeking a caring, motivated Support Worker to assist young people and adults with complex disabilities in accessing learning and developing independence. The role is permanent, full-time (35 hours/week), Monday–Friday, 8:45am–3:45pm, with a salary of £13 per hour.

You will support mobility, health, wellbeing and communication, helping learners build confidence and participate in daily life.

Qualifications

• Previous caring or support experience in personal, voluntary or professional capacity.
• Ability to work both independently and in a team.
• Adapt communication style to meet learners' needs.
• Willingness to develop new communication skills, including signs and symbols.
• Support learners with mobility and participate in activities.
• Confidence using initiative and good judgement.
• Creative, person-centred problem solving approach.
• Build positive working relationships with learners and staff.
• Experience with sensory impairments is advantageous but not essential.
• Full UK driving licence and willingness to drive; swimming ability and BSL knowledge desirable but not essential.

Responsibilities

• Support learners to take part in meaningful activities and develop independence.
• Assist with mobility, health, wellbeing and personal care as needed.
• Help learners access local community and participate in activities that match their interests.
• Encourage confidence, new skills and active participation in daily life.
• Adapt communication methods to individual needs, including signs and symbols.

Skills

Caring experience

Teamwork

Communication

Independence

Sign language basics

Driving licence

Job description

We're looking for a caring and motivated Support Worker to join our team at Sense College Streatley, supporting young people and adults with complex disabilities to access learning, develop their independence and get the most out of everyday life.

This is a permanent, full-time role working 35 hours per week, Monday to Friday from 8:45am–3:45pm, with a salary of £13 per hour.

As a Support Worker, you'll provide high-quality, person-centred support tailored to each individual and their support plan. The people we support may have complex support needs, including hearing and/or sight difficulties, learning or physical disabilities, mental health needs or behaviours that challenge.

You'll support learners to take part in meaningful activities, develop their independence and communication skills and make choices about the things that matter to them. A big part of your role will be encouraging learners to build confidence, learn new skills and take an active role in their everyday lives.

Communication is at the heart of what we do. You'll take the time to understand how each learner communicates and adapt your approach to meet their individual needs, which may include developing new skills in the use of signs, symbols and other communication methods.

The duties are varied and no two days will be the same. You may support learners with their mobility, health and wellbeing and personal care, including continence requirements where needed. You'll also help learners access their local community and participate in activities that reflect their individual interests and aspirations.

What we're looking for:

We're looking for someone who is caring, reliable and committed to providing genuinely person-centred support.

You'll need:

Previous caring or support experience gained in a personal, voluntary or professional capacity

The ability to work independently as well as part of a team

The ability to adapt your communication style to meet the needs of the people you support

A willingness to develop new communication skills, including signs and symbols where required

The ability to support people with their mobility and participate in activities alongside them

Confidence using your own initiative and good judgement

A creative, person-centred approach to problem solving

The ability to build positive working relationships and communicate effectively with learners, colleagues and others

Previous experience supporting people with sensory impairments, dual sensory impairments or people who use a range of communication methods would be an advantage, but isn't essential. Full training relevant to the service and your role will be provided.

A full UK driving licence, willingness to drive, swimming ability and knowledge of British Sign Language (BSL) would also be desirable, but are not essential requirements for this vacancy. You will not be required to use your own vehicle.

About Sense College Streatley

At Sense College Streatley, we provide specialist education and support designed around the individual needs, interests and aspirations of our learners.

Our approach focuses on helping learners develop their communication, independence, everyday living skills and confidence as they prepare for adulthood.

You'll be joining a team committed to creating an inclusive learning environment where every learner is listened to, encouraged to achieve and supported to have greater choice and control over their future.

The role is based at Sense College Streatley, Keech Hospice Care, Great Bramingham Lane, Streatley, LU3 3NT.

Working at Sense gives you a wide range of benefits including:

24 days' holiday + bank holiday entitlement, increasing with length of service

Free DBS Check

Free leadership and management development

Free access to over 100 online and face-to-face training opportunities

Flexible working and family-friendly policies

Health and wellbeing support

Pension Scheme

Proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme

About Sense

Sense is a leading disability charity, here to break down barriers alongside disabled people with complex needs. We use our knowledge and expertise to deliver personalised, creative and flexible support at every stage of life. Together, we drive change, building a future where everyone has the power, choice and control to live the lives we choose.

We're proud to be a Disability Confident Leader and a charity where people can grow their skills and careers in a supportive, flexible environment.

As part of our new three-year strategy, we're delivering a transformational plan focused on strengthening support for disabled people with complex needs, driving social change and creating a fairer, more equal future.

For further information, visit: Transforming Sense, together: our three-year plan

Our Values

Our values shape the way we behave and work alongside disabled people with complex needs to break down barriers:

We're creating change

We're always learning

We're better together

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.