Senior Support Worker at Potens

Dorset Council UK; Weymouth; On-site; GBP 19,286 - 23,419; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Contributory pension

Employee Assistance Programme

NVQ training (level 2-5)

Staff discounts

Referral scheme

Job summary

Potens is recruiting a Senior Support Worker for Apple Tree House in Weymouth, Dorset. A full driving licence is a must due to service needs. The role supports children aged 8 to 18 with learning disabilities, autism, ADHD and related behaviours in a residential setting.

Shifts run 7am-2pm, 2pm-9pm and 9pm-9am, including weekends and bank holidays. We offer a benefits package, pension, learning opportunities (NVQ levels 2-5), and access to staff discounts and referrals.

Qualifications

• Minimum of one year of experience as a Support Worker or already a Senior Support Worker in social care, preferably with children or adults with learning disabilities, autism or similar needs.

Responsibilities

• Mentor and develop induction and training for staff.
• Contribute to care plans, risk assessments, reviews and implement strategies to help young people achieve outcomes.
• Be part of the home on-call system with the Registered Manager and Deputy Manager.
• Support daily tasks to increase confidence and everyday skills.
• Assist with fun, engagement and learning for children.

Skills

Driver licence

Job description

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

Please note that sponsorship is not available for this role.

Must be a driver with a full (not provisional) manual or automatic licence due to service needs.

Apple Tree House is a residential, Ofsted Registered ‘Good’ children’s service situated on the 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.

Closing date: 04/08/2026

What We’ll Give You

We will ensure you are rewarded for all your hard work, which is why we offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes but is not limited to:

• £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 so we can invest in your future - 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.
• A generous referral scheme.

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 be contributing 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 be supporting with daily tasks to increase their confidence levels and everyday skills.
• You will support the children to have fun and engage in learning.
• You will be cooking, cleaning and supporting with everyday tasks, depending on the child’s ability. Personal care will also be involved.
• We make the most of being close to the seaside and local amenities. We enjoy days out together, shopping, visiting the cinema and take part in 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 have said that they want someone “with a great sense of humour, who will have fun, will be understanding, patient and who will enjoy spending time with us”.
• You will have a minimum of one year of experience as a Support Worker or you 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 will be a positive role model to the children we support and to your colleagues and will have a mature and professional approach.
• Must be a driver with a full (not provisional) manual or automatic licence due to service needs.