Senior Support Worker

Southdown; Crawley Down; On-site; GBP 16,000 - 22,000; 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 in Crawley is seeking a compassionate Senior Support Worker to help adults with learning and physical disabilities live independently and with dignity. You will support daily living tasks, help clients access their community, and oversee day-to-day care operations.

Based at Coltash Road, you’ll work 30–37 hours per week at £13.82 per hour (£26,587 per annum for full-time). The role includes training, DBS payment, and a range of generous benefits such as health-cost cashback, travel

Qualifications

• Patient, empathetic mindset.
• Complete the relevant training provided by Southdown in health and social care, moving and handling, Positive Behaviour Support and safeguarding.
• 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.
• Enhanced DBS check, paid for by Southdown.

Responsibilities

• Support clients to live independently and with dignity.
• Assist with daily living tasks and personal care.
• Oversee day-to-day operations of the care team.
• Help clients access the community through activities.
• Foster empowering, respectful care and client confidence.

Skills

Patient empathy

Care experience

Training in health and social care

DBS check

Education

Level 3 diploma in Health and Social Care

Job description

Description

Support people with learning disabilities to live full, happy lives.
Location: Coltash Road, Crawley
Salary: £13.82 per hour (£26,587 per annum for full time hours)
Hours: 30 to 37 per week

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.

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 [e-mail].

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.