Support Worker

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

Benefits offered by this job

24 days annual leave

Matched pension contributions up to 5%

Free life assurance policy

Discounts at Sense shops (10% off)

Cycle to work scheme

Travel season ticket loans

Enhanced sick pay

Free DBS check where required

Refer-a-friend £350

Training courses access

Wisdom App access

Job summary

Sense is looking for a caring, enthusiastic and committed support worker for our Rochester Road service in Aylesford, Kent. This full-time, on-site permanent role offers shifts across days and nights with a nightshift allowance of 0.50 per hour.

You’ll provide person-centred support to disabled people with complex needs, helping them live the lives they choose with independence and dignity, across activities, community involvement and appointments.

Qualifications

• No previous experience required; values, willingness to learn and respect for people matter most.
• Experience supporting disabled people with sensory conditions/complex needs is beneficial.
• Believes disabled people should have equal opportunities and control.
• Compassionate, patient, respectful, good listener.

Responsibilities

• Provide person-centred support reflecting each person’s needs, preferences and aspirations.
• Help people make informed choices and gain daily independence and control.
• Build meaningful relationships by understanding communication preferences and interests.
• Identify and remove barriers to participation in everyday life.
• Support people to enjoy interests, maintain relationships and access community activities.
• Assist with appointments, activities and outings as desired.
• Encourage independence while respecting individual support needs and decisions.
• Collaborate with colleagues, families and others to promote dignity and wellbeing.

Job description

Company: Sense

Salary: from £13 an hour

Hours: Full-time

Location: ME20 7BN

Working pattern: On-site

Job type: Permanent

Posting date: 22 Oct 2026

Closing date: 5 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 team at our supported living service in Aylesford, Kent. Shifts vary across days and nights, with early shifts starting from 7am and late shifts finishing at 10pm. Night shifts carry an allowance of 50p per hour.

About the people you will support

At Rochester Road, we support disabled people with complex needs to live in their own homes. Each person has 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.

• 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.

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.
• Enhanced sick pay.
• Free DBS check if your role requires one.
• A £350 refer-a-friend scheme.
• 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.

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.

Proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme