Support worker

Autism; Great Harwood; On-site; GBP 23,000 - 28,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Auto-enrolled pension

33 days annual leave

Induction and autism training

Online staff discounts

Cash plan for permanent staff

Private health and dental insurance

Job summary

The National Autistic Society is seeking compassionate Support Workers for Merlewood House in Great Harwood, Lancashire. You will follow individual support plans to help autistic adults live fulfilling lives and participate in community activities.

We offer a supportive environment with safeguarding checks, a competitive salary of 25,877.80 per year, 37 hours per week, and a range of benefits including pension and extensive leave. Training and ongoing development are provided.

Qualifications

• Assist with personal care (bathing, dressing, eating)
• Encourage activities they enjoy (swimming, hiking, arts & crafts)
• Inspire others with a positive attitude toward supporting vulnerable people
• Experience with autistic people is helpful but not essential

Responsibilities

• Assist with personal care (bathing, dressing, eating)
• Encourage activities they enjoy (swimming, hiking, arts & crafts)

Skills

Inspire others

Experience with autistic people (helpf

Passion for helping others

Job description

The following content displays a map of the jobs location - Lancashire

Job Reference nationalautisticsociety/TP/1644/643

Number of Positions

2

Contract Type

Permanent - Full Time

£25,877.80 per annum

Working Hours

37

Location

Lancashire

Closing Date

03/12/2026

Job Introduction

The National Autistic Society is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all children and adults who use our services. Successful applicants will be required to complete the relevant safeguarding checks.

Join Us as a Support Worker

The National Autistic Society helps create a world that works for autistic people, and we have a rewarding opportunity for a Support Worker at Merlewood House. If you share our values and want to make a difference, we’d love to hear from you.

About the Service

Merlewood House in Great Harwood Lancashire, is a specialist residential service for autistic adults and additional learning disabilities or other complex needs. The people who live here receive expert support from our staff to enable them to live happy and fulfilled lives, to develop the skills that are most important to them and to access what they most enjoy in their local community.

About the Role

We are looking for caring and reliable Support Workers. Your role is to help people live their best lives by following their support plans and daily routines.

What You’ll Do

• Assist with personal care (bathing, dressing, eating)
• Encourage activities they enjoy (swimming, hiking, arts & crafts)

What We’re Looking For

• For you to inspire others with a positive attitude towards supporting vulnerable people
• Experience with autistic people is helpful but not essential
• Personal experience or a passion for helping others is welcome

This advert is for a full-time position at 37 hours per week.

Your working pattern in this role will require flexibility to meet the needs of the people supported and their families and will include evening and weekend working.

Possession of a driving licence (minimum one year) ispreferred.

What we can offer you

• Pension – Auto-enrolled pension scheme.
• Annual Leave – 33 days (including public holidays). You can buy or sell leave each year.
• Training – Great induction and training, including autism training.
• Discounts – Online staff discount scheme for shopping, cycling, tech, and more (e.g., Asda, Tesco, Nike, Apple).
• Healthcare – Cash plan for permanent staff.
• Flexible Benefits – Options like private health, dental insurance,holiday trading, enhanced pension.
• Support – 24-hour Employee Assistance Programme and counselling.
• Mindfulness – Free Headspace app for you and up to 3 family/friends.
• Blue Light Card – Eligibility for discounts.
• Extra Pay – Enhanced overtime, plus payments for sleep-in and on-call (if applicable to the role).
• Refer a Friend – Get £200 when you refer someone.

About our application process

When you write your supporting statement:

• Look at the job description and person specification.
• Tell us how your skills and experience match the role.

We might close this job advert early if we get lots of suitable applications.

To protect our autistic adults at the National Autistic Society

all staff are required to have a criminal background check. Possession of an Enhanced DBS Check either on the Update Service or conducted within the last 12 months would be preferable but not essential.

Applications for this job are sought from anyone who is suitably qualified and experienced for the role but particularly welcome from autistic people.

We are an equal opportunities employer and part of the Disability Confident Employer scheme.

Agencies need not apply.

Please note the National Autistic Society are unable to provide sponsorship for Visas.

The National Autistic Society may use artificial intelligence (AI) to assist our recruitment team with reviewing applications for this role. All application decisions are made by people and are not determined automatically by AI.