Support worker

Sense; Dereham; On-site; GBP 15,000 - 21,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

24 days annual leave + bank holidays

Matched pension contributions up to 5%

Free life assurance policy

Cashback and discounts on high street

Cycle to work scheme

Travel season ticket loans

Free DBS check if required

Training courses including Care Cert.

Wisdom App for wellbeing

Enhanced sick pay

Refer-a-friend £350

Job summary

Sense is looking for a caring, enthusiastic support worker to join our Dereham team. You’ll provide person-centred support, help with daily activities and support independence in the local community.

No prior experience required; values and willingness to learn matter. You’ll work with people with complex needs, building trusting relationships and promoting inclusion.

Qualifications

• Values, willingness to learn and respect for people.
• Experience with disabled people is beneficial.
• Able to communicate respectfully and adapt to individuals.

Responsibilities

• Provide person-centred support reflecting individual needs.
• Help people make informed choices and stay independent.
• Build trusting relationships and understand communication preferences.
• Assist with appointments, activities and community participation.
• Promote inclusion and wellbeing through teamwork.

Skills

Compassionate

Patient

Good listener

Adaptable communication

Job description

Pay: £13.00 per hour / £25,350 per annum

Contract: Permanent | Full-time

Posting date: 29 Oct 2026

Closing date: 12 Nov 2026

Help break down barriers and support people to live the lives they choose.

At Sense, we believe everyone should have the power, choice and control to live the life they choose. We work alongside disabled people with complex needs to break down barriers, drive change and create opportunities for everyone to take part in the things that matter to them.

We are looking for a caring, enthusiastic and committed support worker to join our fantastic team at Dereham.

About the people you will support

Our service is home to five disabled people with complex needs, each with their own personality, interests, ambitions, preferences and support needs.

As a support worker, you’ll take the time to get to know each person, understand what matters to them and work alongside them in ways that respect their choices, support their independence and put them in control of their everyday lives.

Whether it’s enjoying favourite activities, maintaining relationships, exploring new interests or spending time in the local community, you’ll work alongside people to help remove barriers and support them to take part in the things they choose.

What you will be doing

Provide person-centred support that reflects each person’s individual needs, preferences and aspirations.

Support people to make informed choices and have greater control over their daily lives.

Build meaningful relationships, taking time to understand each person’s communication preferences, interests and what matters most to them.

Work alongside people to identify and remove barriers that may prevent them from fully taking part in everyday life.

Support people to enjoy their interests, maintain relationships, try new experiences and spend time in their communities.

Support people to get to appointments, take part in activities and enjoy trips and outings of their choice.

Encourage independence while recognising and respecting each person’s individual support needs and decisions.

Work collaboratively with colleagues, families and others involved in each person’s support to promote consistency, dignity and wellbeing.

What we are looking for

You don’t need previous experience in a support role to join us. What matters most is your values, your willingness to learn and your commitment to treating people with dignity and respect.

Although previous experience is not essential, experience of supporting disabled people with sensory conditions and complex needs would be beneficial.

We are looking for someone who:

Believes disabled people should have the same opportunities, choices and control over their lives as everyone else.

Is compassionate, patient, respectful and a good listener.

Recognises that everyone communicates differently and is willing to adapt their approach.

Enjoys getting to know people, understanding their interests and supporting them to do the things they love.

Can work positively as part of a team and build trusting relationships.

Is committed to promoting inclusion, independence and person-centred support.

Essential requirements

Provide person-centred support that reflects each person’s individual needs, preferences and aspirations. Support people to make informed choices and have greater control over their daily lives. Build meaningful relationships, taking time to understand each person’s communication preferences, interests and what matters most to them. Work alongside people to identify and remove barriers that may prevent them from fully taking part in everyday life. Support people to enjoy their interests, maintain relationships, try new experiences and spend time in their communities. Support people to get to appointments, take part in activities and enjoy trips and outings of their choice. Encourage independence while recognising and respecting each person’s individual support needs and decisions. Work collaboratively with colleagues, families and others involved in each person’s support to promote consistency, dignity and wellbeing.

Benefits

24 days of annual leave plus bank holidays.

Matched pension contributions up to 5%.

Free life assurance policy.

Cashback and discounts on high street brands, including 10% off at Sense charity shops.

Cycle to work scheme.

Travel season ticket loans.

Free DBS check if your role requires one.

Free access to over 100 online and face-to-face training courses, including the Care Certificate.

Free access to the Wisdom App, supporting mindfulness and wellbeing.

Enhanced sick pay.

A £350 refer-a-friend scheme.

About working at Sense

Sense is a leading disability charity here to break down barriers alongside disabled people with complex needs. That’s why we’re committed to increasing the number of disabled people working across our organisation and creating an environment where everyone can thrive.

We actively encourage disabled people to apply for our vacancies and believe that a diverse range of perspectives, experiences and talents makes us stronger.

We know there’s always more we can do to become a truly inclusive employer, and we’re working together to achieve that. Join us and help create the change thousands of disabled people with complex needs and families told us they want to see: a world without limits.

If you need us to adjust our recruitment process to help you access our vacancies, then please get in touch with a member of the talent acquisition team. We are a Disability Confident Leader and commit to interviewing disabled people who meet the minimum criteria for a role.

More information can be found on our commitment as an employer.

Ready to join us?

If you believe that everyone should have the opportunity to make their own choices, be included in their community and live life on their own terms, we’d love to hear from you.

Safeguarding, equality and inclusion

Sense is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and adults and expects all employees to share this commitment. Therefore, all offers of

Proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme

About Disability Confident

Disability Confident is a government scheme. It encourages employers to recruit and retain disabled people and those with long term health conditions.