Senior Support Worker at Potens

Dorset Council; Weymouth; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

£14.10 per hour

42 hours per week

Contributory pension scheme

Employee Assistance Programme 24/7

Learning and development opportunities

Exclusive employee benefits

Referral scheme

Job summary

Potens is recruiting a Senior Support Worker for Apple Tree House near Weymouth. A driver with a full licence is required due to service needs. The role involves mentoring staff, contributing to care plans, on-call duties, and supporting children with daily tasks and learning activities.

Shifts include 7am-2pm, 2pm-9pm, and 9pm-9am; weekends and bank holidays are required. We offer a comprehensive benefits package and development opportunities within a registered children's service.

Qualifications

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

Responsibilities

• Support a team of staff ensuring induction, training and development through mentoring and on-the-job supervisions.
• Contribute to young person care plans, risk assessments, their review and implementation to provide effective strategies to help achieve outcomes.
• Be part of an on-call system for the home with the Registered Manager and Deputy Manager.
• Support daily tasks to increase independence and everyday skills.
• Assist children with fun and learning activities and provide personal care as needed.
• Participate in a schedule with early, afternoon, and night shifts; weekends and bank holidays required.

Skills

Driver

Job description

About the role

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: 3 September 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.

Further Information

Safeguarding

Potens is committed to safeguarding and promotes the welfare of the people we support throughout our facilities. 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. Our checks will be service and role specific and can be discussed pre application if required.

About Us

Who we are:

We are a national provider of health, social and education services with over 35 years' experience. Our employees are the driving force behind the fantastic care and support being delivered to hundreds of adults and children across the UK. Our teams are purposeful, positive, and progressive. They work hard to empower the people we support to have a voice, achieve their goals, and change their lives. We are always looking for committed, pro-active and passionate people to join us and create even more opportunities for the people we support. Join our team and have the satisfaction of knowing you've changed someone's life and, in return for your hard work and passion we can give you real meaning and purpose in your work.

Diversity

We champion diversity, and we 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.