Senior Support Worker

National Autistic Society; Burnham-on-Sea; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 30,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Auto-enrolled pension

33 days annual leave

Training including autism training

Staff discounts

Cash plan for healthcare

Life Assurance

Flexible benefits

Employee Assistance Programme

Headspace mindfulness

Blue Light Card

Overtime & on-call pay

Refer a Friend £200

Job summary

The National Autistic Society in Burnham-on-Sea is seeking a Senior Support Worker at Fernery House to provide person-centred care according to individual support plans.

You will mentor staff, coordinate shifts, build relationships with individuals and families, and champion inclusion in the community.

This full-time role requires flexibility, evening/weekend work, and a compassionate, proactive approach.

Qualifications

• Experience supporting people with disabilities, including autistic people, with strong communication and teamwork skills.
• Knowledge of safeguarding and relevant legislative or regulatory frameworks, with the ability to work proactively and independently.
• A positive role model with strong organisational skills, able to support staff development and adapt to changing priorities.

Responsibilities

• Provide high‑quality, person‑centred support, ensuring safety, dignity and wellbeing while helping individuals achieve their goals.
• Mentor and support staff, taking responsibility for shift planning, supervising team members and contributing to the smooth running of the service.
• Build strong relationships with individuals, families, and external professionals, championing inclusion and community participation.

Skills

Experience with disabilities

Communication

Teamwork

Job description

The National Autistic Society is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all children and adults who use our services. Successful applicants will be required to complete the relevant safeguarding checks.

Join Us as a Senior Support Worker

The National Autistic Society helps create a world that works for autistic people, and we have a rewarding opportunity for a Senior Support Worker at Fernery House. If you share our values and want to make a difference, we’d love to hear from you.

Visit our website to find out more about who we are:

About the Service

Fernery House is a community-based house in Burnham-on-Sea providing residential care for autistic adults. Our safe low-arousal environment and caring and experienced staff help people realise their potential and work towards increased independence in the community.

About the Role

We are looking for caring and reliable Senior Support Workers. Your role is to help people live their best lives by following their support plans and daily routines.

What You’ll Do

• Provide high‑quality, person‑centred support, ensuring safety, dignity and wellbeing while helping individuals achieve their goals.
• Mentor and support staff, taking responsibility for shift planning, supervising team members and contributing to the smooth running of the service.
• Build strong relationships with individuals, families, and external professionals, championing inclusion and community participation.

What We’re Looking For

• Experience supporting people with disabilities, including autistic people, with strong communication and teamwork skills.
• Knowledge of autism, safeguarding, and relevant legislative or regulatory frameworks, with the ability to work proactively and independently.
• A positive role model with strong organisational skills, able to support staff development and adapt to changing priorities.

This advert is for a full-time position at 37 hours hours per week.

Your working pattern in this role will require flexibility to meet the needs of the people supported and their families and will include evening and weekend working.

Possession of a driving licence (minimum one year)ispreferred

What we can offer you

• Pension – Auto-enrolled pension scheme.
• Annual Leave – 33 days (including public holidays). You can buy or sell leave each year.
• Training – Great induction and training, including autism training.
• Discounts – Online staff discount scheme for shopping, cycling, tech, and more (e.g., Asda, Tesco, Nike, Apple).
• Healthcare – Cash plan for permanent staff.
• Life Assurance – 2x your base salary.
• Flexible Benefits – Options like private health, dental insurance, holiday trading, enhanced pension.
• Support – 24-hour Employee Assistance Programme and counselling.
• Mindfulness – Free Headspace app for you and up to 3 family/friends.
• Blue Light Card – Eligibility for discounts.
• Extra Pay – Enhanced overtime, plus payments for sleep-in and on-call (if applicable to the role).
• Refer a Friend – Get £200 when you refer someone.

About our application process

We might close this job advert early if we get lots of suitable applications.

To protect our autistic adults at the National Autistic Society, all staff are required to have a criminal background check. Possession of an Enhanced DBS Check either on the Update Service or conducted within the last 12 months would be preferable but not essential.

Applications for this job are sought from anyone who is suitably qualified and experienced for the role but particularly welcome from autistic people.

We are an equal opportunities employer and part of the Disability Confident Employer scheme.

Agencies need not apply.

Please note the National Autistic Society are unable to provide sponsorship for Visas.

The National Autistic Society may use artificial intelligence (AI) to assist our recruitment team with reviewing applications for this role. All application decisions are made by people and are not determined automatically by AI.