Senior Support Worker

Potens Group; Weymouth; On-site; GBP 29,000 - 31,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Contributory pension scheme

Employee Assistance Programme

Paid learning and development opportunities

Exclusive employee benefits

Job summary

Potens Group in Weymouth is seeking a Senior Support Worker to support and lead a team dedicated to assisting children with learning difficulties, autism, and similar needs. You will provide mentoring and support within a nurturing environment, focusing on developing care plans that enhance children's skills and confidence.

This role requires strong interpersonal skills, with a focus on patience and humour, as well as a full driver's license. The position offers competitive pay and ongoing professional development.

Qualifications

• Minimum of one year of experience as a Support Worker or in a similar role.
• Full driving license required.
• Must be patient, understanding, and enjoy working with children.

Responsibilities

• Support staff through mentoring and on-the-job supervisions.
• Contribute to care plans and assessments for young people.
• Engage children in daily tasks and help increase their confidence.

Skills

Experience in social care

Ability to support children

Team leadership

Good sense of humour

Job description

We are pleased to announce an exciting opportunity here at Potens for a Senior Support Worker!

Must not be a provisional manual or automatic licence. Sponsorship is not available for this role.

Apple Tree House is a residential, Ofsted Registered ‘Good’ children’s service situated on the outskirts of Weymouth, Dorset. Here we support 4 children aged 8 to 18.

Apple Tree House has been carefully adapted to provide specialist accommodation for children and young people with moderate to severe learning difficulties, autism, ADHD and associated behavioural challenges.

What we’ll give you:

• £14.10 per hour.
• 42 hours per week.
• Contributory pension scheme.
• Confidential, supportive Employee Assistance Programme, accessible 24/7.
• Paid comprehensive learning and development opportunities, including internal leadership competency sessions and recognised qualifications (level 2 to level 5 NVQ in Health & Social Care).
• Access to attractive and exclusive employee benefits including savings on shopping, leisure, and household expenses.

What you’ll be doing:

• You will support a team of staff members, ensuring their induction, training and development through mentoring and on‑the‑job supervisions.
• You will contribute to the young person’s care plans, risk assessments, their review and implementation to provide effective strategies to assist the young people we support to achieve their identified outcomes.
• You will be part of an on‑call system for the home, along with the Registered Manager and Deputy Manager.
• Our young people have a mix of interests and different levels of independence; you will support daily tasks to increase their confidence levels and everyday skills.
• You will support the children to have fun and engage in learning.
• You will cook, clean and support with everyday tasks depending on the child’s ability; personal care will also be involved.
• We take advantage of being close to the seaside and local amenities. We enjoy days out together, shopping, visiting the cinema and encourage the children’s interests.
• Shifts will include 7 am to 2 pm, 2 pm to 9 pm and Waking Nights 9 pm to 9 am. Weekend and Bank holiday working is also required.

Who you are:

• The young people we support want someone with a great sense of humour, who will have fun, be understanding, patient and enjoy spending time with us.
• You have a minimum of one year of experience as a Support Worker or are an existing Senior Support Worker working in the social care sector, preferably with children or adults with learning disabilities, autism, or similar needs.
• You are able to work independently, multitask, organise and prioritise work to suit the people we support.
• You are a positive role model to the children we support and to your colleagues, with a mature and professional approach.
• Must be a driver with a full (not provisional) manual or automatic licence due to service needs.

Safeguarding

Potens is committed to safeguarding and promotes the welfare of the people we support. All applicants will be subject to robust pre‑employment checks prior to appointment, including but not exhaustive: enhanced DBS, and a minimum of two satisfactory references.

Diversity

We champion diversity and understand the importance of our teams representing the communities and people we support. Here at Potens, you’ll find an inclusive environment where you can be yourself and where everyone is driven by the same purpose – helping people live independently, healthier, happier lives and doing our part to make a better working environment where all feel welcome and supported.