Senior Support Worker

Southdown; Crawley; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 32,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health cost cash-back scheme

Interest-free loans

Access to Easit Network

Blue Light card

Free advice and counselling service

25 days paid holiday

Job summary

Southdown is seeking a Senior Support Worker to assist adults with learning disabilities at Coltash Road, Crawley. You will support daily living tasks, promote independence, and oversee care team activities, ensuring client wellbeing and community engagement.

We welcome compassionate applicants with DBS clearance, PBS knowledge, and experience in safeguarding. Training will be provided to support personal and professional growth within Sussex’s largest care provider.

Qualifications

• Patience and empathy to support adults with learning disabilities.
• Experience with safeguarding and PBS principles.
• Understanding of medication types, dosage, administration, and records.

Responsibilities

• Support clients with daily living tasks with dignity and respect.
• Oversee day-to-day operations of the care team.
• Encourage community engagement and independence for clients.

Skills

Patience

Empathy

PBS knowledge

Safeguarding knowledge

Medication administration knowledge

Record keeping

Makaton knowledge

Education

Level 3 Diploma in Health and Social Care

Enhanced DBS clearance

Job description

Description

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

Location: Coltash Road, Crawley

Application Deadline: 24 November 2026

Department: Learning Disability

Location: West Sussex - Crawley

Compensation: £13.82 / hour

Allowances

Dependant on working times agreed to be worked you may be entitled to one or more of the following allowances:

• Unsociable hours uplift: an extra £4.51 per shift for waking night
• Sleep-in shifts: £61 per sleep-in shift (10 pm - 7 am)
• Sleep-In Disturbance Allowance Payment: If your sleep-in shift is disturbed for over one continuous hour but less than four, you’ll receive the £4.51 Unsociable Hours Allowance plus your normal hourly rate for the hours worked. If disturbed for four hours or more, you’ll be paid your normal hourly rate for the entire shift and still receive the £4.51 allowance.

Who are we?

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.

What you’ll be doing:

Are you passionate about making a meaningful difference in people’s lives? Do you thrive in a role where every day is different and where your support helps others live more independently and with dignity? We’re looking for a compassionate and adaptable Senior Support Worker to join our dedicated team. This role is all about helping individuals stay connected to their community and supporting them with daily living tasks in a respectful and empowering way. You will also support and oversee the day-to-day operations of the care team.

As a Senior Support Worker you’ll encourage a sense of fun by supporting clients to access their community, including walks along the beach, cinema, shopping, and café visits, as well as activities within the service. You’ll help clients to live well by supporting them with everyday tasks such as cleaning, cooking and personal care. 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:

Coltash Road is a supported living service for 5 adults with learning disabilities. The property is a semi-detached house split into five self-contained flats, in Crawley, close to bus routes and Three Bridges train station. It is about a 20 minute walk to Crawley town centre.

Our clients are supported to lead active, fulfilling lives and are supported to make the most of their local community while developing each client’s choice, control and independence.

You will be based at Coltash Road service but may be required to work at other locations as and when needed.

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.
• 25 days paid holiday plus bank holidays (or paid time in lieu for any bank holidays worked)

Knowledge, skills and experience

What you need for the role:

• A patient, empathetic mindset.
• To complete the relevant training provided by Southdown in health and social care, moving and handling, Positive Behaviour Support and safeguarding, safety, risk management and health protocols.
• Previous care experience, either professionally or with family members.
• Knowledge of Positive Behaviour Support, CQC standards, the Mental Capacity Act, DoLS and safeguarding
• Happy to support clients with intimate and personal care needs.
• Experienced in providing comprehensive client support, including medical management; understanding of medication types, dosage, administration methods, and record-keeping practices.
• 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.
• An understanding of Makaton or non-verbal communication.

Sometimes Required:

Certain aspects of this role may vary depending on the current needs of the service and the individuals supported. As such, the following requirements may be essential at the time of recruitment, based on team capabilities and client needs:

• Physical ability to assist with mobility and personal care tasks, such as pushing wheelchairs, taking long walks, and supporting with bathing.
• A full manual driving licence may be required to operate service vehicles and help clients stay connected with their community.
• Due to the personal and sensitive nature of the care provided, this post may be restricted to applicants of a particular sex under Schedule 9, Part 1 of the Equality Act 2010, where an occupational requirement applies. This will be assessed based on current client and service needs.

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.