Senior Support Worker

Southdown; Chichester; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in social care is looking for a Senior Support Worker to provide hands-on support to individuals with learning disabilities. In this rewarding role, you'll empower clients to enhance their independence while overseeing the care team’s operations. Ideal candidates will have a patient, empathetic mindset and prior experience in client support. Join us in making a meaningful difference in people’s lives, working within a supportive team environment.

Benefits

Health cost cash-back scheme

Interest-free loans

Access to the Easit Network

Blue Light card

Free advice and counselling service

22 days paid holiday

Qualifications

• Experienced in providing comprehensive client support, including medication management.
• Knowledge of Positive Behaviour Support and safeguarding.
• An Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

Responsibilities

• Help clients with everyday tasks such as personal care and cooking.
• Support day-to-day operations of the care team in the absence of the manager.
• Assist residents to access the community for outings and health appointments.

Skills

Patient mindset

Empathy

Medication management

Knowledge of Positive Behaviour Support

Safeguarding

Education

Level 3 diploma in Health and Social Care

Job description

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Hours: 30 to 37 hours per week available
Shifts are on a 4 week rolling rota basis including working evenings, weekends and bank holidays

Support people with learning disabilities to live full, happy lives.

What you’ll be doing:

Do you want to make a meaningful difference?Southdown is a not-for-profit provider of accommodation, care and support for 160 adults with learning and physical disabilities in our 23 supported living services and 4 residential care homes across Sussex.

As a senior support worker, you’ll help clients to live well by supporting them with everyday tasks such as personal care, cooking, and trips out, as well as support and oversee the day-to-day operations of the care team in the absence of the manager.

We’re looking for compassionate individuals to help build clients’ confidence and independence through empowering care, and in return, we offer a rewarding job where no two days are the same.

We welcome applications from candidates with previous experience in roles such as Health Care Assistant, Care Assistant, Support Worker, Senior Support Worker, Nurse, Social Care Worker, Senior Care Assistant, Mental Health Care Worker, Nursing Home Assistant, Personal Assistant or Residential Care Worker.

‘The best thing about my job is the clients. Getting to know them, getting to know their characters and just enjoying life with them’ – Karen, Southdown Support Worker.

Service Description:

Windebanks is a supported living service providing personal care and support for 5 adults with a learning disability and / or autism, who present with complex health and / or complex behaviour needs. Positive behaviour plans are in place and residents are supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives in the least restrictive way possible. As a Support Worker you will ensure residents’ personal care needs are met, support with medicine administration, as well as help them to access the community for days out, health appointments, shopping, etc.

Perks and benefits:

• Health cost cash-back scheme: access to our health insurance scheme which covers dental, optical, physical therapies and other medical treatments with the option to add greater levels of cover.
• Interest-free loans: assistance with larger costs that arise such as tenancy deposits, season travel tickets or buying a car.
• Access to the Easit Network: discounts and incentives on train, bus and car journeys such as 15% off eligible daily and season rail tickets.
• Blue Light card: access to discount services for the social care sector with savings across thousands of online shops, restaurants, and high-street vendors.
• Free advice and counselling service: confidential emotional support and practical guidance from our independent telephone service.
• 22 days paid holiday plus bank holidays (or paid time in lieu for any bank holidays worked)

Knowledge, skills and experience

What you'll need:

• A patient, empathetic mindset.
• Experienced in providing comprehensive client support, including medication management.
• Knowledge of Positive Behaviour Support, CQC standards, the Mental Capacity Act, DoLS and safeguarding
• Physically fit and able to push a wheelchair, take long walks and help service users with tasks like bathing.
• An Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, which will be paid for by Southdown.

What would be nice:

• Experience working with clients with varying levels of physical and cognitive abilities, including those with learning disabilities or mental health challenges.
• Experience dealing with challenging situations (including managing clients who may exhibit aggressive behaviour or distress).
• Experience managing staff, including supervision, coaching, recruitment and rostering.
• Level 3 diploma in Health and Social Care.
• A full manual driving licence is preferred so that you can drive our service vehicles and help keep our residents connected to their community.

Training:
Our award winning in house training team will help you to gain valuable qualifications, continually develop your skills and build a great career with the largest provider of housing, care and support in Sussex.

How to apply:

Please click on the ‘Apply Now’ button and fill out our simple one-page application form.

The application closing date is 4 July 2025.

Please note, if we receive a large number of applications then this position may close before the advertised application closing date. We encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible.

Contact information:

Our online careers page has a list of helpful FAQs that you can view here. If you have any further questions, please get in touch with recruitment via email at [emailprotected]

We are a Disability Confident Employer and are fully committed to supporting Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) and welcome applications from all candidates that meet our job specifications. If you feel there is a barrier that potentially prevents you from applying, do get in contact with us, as we are always happy to discuss (or arrange a discussion with the recruiting manager) to explore if any reasonable adjustments can be made to support your application.