Support Worker

Sense; Bedford; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 25,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading charity supporting individuals with disabilities in Bedford is seeking a Support Worker for a professional team. The position involves working with young adults with complex communication needs, providing support to achieve every day living outcomes. No prior experience is necessary, as training will be provided. The successful candidate will enjoy 24 days holiday and various other benefits including health support and pension scheme. This rewarding role offers the chance to positively impact lives in a diverse team environment.

Benefits

24 days’ holiday + bank holidays

Free DBS Check

Free training opportunities

On-going development opportunities

Flexible working policies

Employee referral scheme

Health and well-being support

Pension Scheme

Discount scheme

Qualifications

• No previous experience needed; training provided to become an excellent support worker.
• Knowledge of multi sensory impairments is beneficial.
• Full UK driving license is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Support individuals/groups within the home, centre and community.
• Provide customized, high-quality service to people with disabilities.
• Deliver services that meet or exceed organizational expectations.

Skills

Knowledge of multi sensory impairments

Full manual UK license

Knowledge of British Sign Language

Job description

We’re looking for reliable and motivated persons to join our professional team of Support Workers at our College Centre based in Bedford working 21 hours per week, Monday to Friday, term time only on a permanent basis. The successful applicant will work with people who have dual or single sensory impairment, learning disability, and associated physical disabilities.

As a Support Worker you will be working with young adults with complex communication needs and associated learning difficulties and physical disabilities, providing support to achieve Every Day Living outcomes. We use a total communication approach which includes a variety of methods such as BSL / Sign Supported English / On Body Signing / Intensive Interaction /Pictorial Symbols and Symbol Systems (PECS) / Hand Under Hand Exploration / Objects of Reference / Voice Output Communication Aids / Vocalisation, Facial Expression and Body Language.

Our timetabled activities, both in house and accessed at other local facilities, ensure the interests of the individual can be explored and used to motivate while encouraging learning opportunities. We celebrate and promote the diverse nature of our learners, embracing fundamental British values, whilst encouraging a culture of mutual respect and tolerance. Sessions include Communication, Creative Arts, Therapies & Physical Activities, Lifeskills and Community Access. We also offer a wonderful range of enrichment activities such as visits to the cinema, the pantomime, PMLD theatre trips, museum ‘touch tours’ and river trips on a barge specifically adapted to suit those with disabilities.

The duties are varied and no two days will be the same.

The people we support are individuals and they are all treated as such. As a general guide, you may support with personal care needs, as well as help to take part in a wide range of special interests and activities that support their health and wellbeing. Does this sound right for you?

Responsibilities

• To support individuals / groups within the home, centre and community.
• To provide a customised, responsive and high quality service to people with multiple sensory impairments, physical and/or learning disabilities who use Sense services.
• To deliver services which meet or exceed organisational expectations and standards.

Required skills and experiences

• You don’t need to have previous experience in this field, nor do you need qualifications – we’re happy to work with you to help you become an excellent support worker.
• Knowledge of multi sensory impairments / learning difficulties is beneficial.
• A full manual UK license and willingness to drive is desirable.
• Knowledge of or qualification in British Sign Language or similar is beneficial ( BSL / Makaton etc.).

Benefits

• 24 days’ holiday + bank holidays; increasing with length of service
• Free DBS Check
• Free leadership and management development (such as our award winning Growing Stronger Leaders Together programme)
• Free access to over 100 online and face to face training including the care certificate.
• On-going development opportunities
• Flexible working and family friendly policies
• Employee referral scheme
• Health and well-being support
• Pension Scheme
• Discount scheme

About Sense

For everyone living with complex disabilities. For everyone who is deafblind. Sense is here to help people communicate and experience the world. We believe that no one, no matter how complex their disabilities, should be isolated, left out, or unable to fulfil their potential. Sense are proud to be a disability confident leader.

Working at Sense can be incredibly rewarding; we offer the opportunity to work in a large, diverse and successful charity where people can develop their skills, knowledge and careers in a supportive and flexible environment. In addition, we have excellent training and development, the opportunity for you to join our Group Personal Pension scheme and a generous annual leave entitlement.

To apply

Please use the link below to complete your application. Managers will use your application to shortlist candidates for interview; in relation to the Personal Specification. Therefore, it is very important you complete this section thoroughly. We would recommend that you read the candidate guidelines, job description and person specification (found at the base of this advert) before applying.

Please note to avoid disappointment, we advise you to submit your application as soon as possible as we reserve the right to close posts at any time.

If you require any further assistance, please contact the Recruitment Team on 0121 393 4529 or [e-mail]

Sense is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of vulnerable children and adults and expects all employees to share this commitment. Therefore, all offers of employment, where appropriate, are subject to a DBS check; level dependant on the nature of the role.