Support Worker - Community Living Services

Optalis; Wokingham; On-site; GBP 22,000 - 27,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Perkbox rewards

25 days annual leave

Health and wellbeing day

Training and development

Career progression opportunities

Pension scheme

Job summary

Optalis, the adult social care delivery partner on behalf of Wokingham Borough Council and the Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead Council, is hiring Learning Disability Support Workers to help people live independently in their own homes and communities.

Locations Finchampstead & Woodley; Pay £24,791.39 FTE (£12.85 per hour, Mon-Fri / £14.38 Sat-Sun); Hours vary with full-time and part-time roles including sleep-in duties; DBS check required; driving licence desirable.

Qualifications

• Flexibility to work varied shift patterns, including weekends and bank holidays.
• Ability to empower people while respecting dignity.
• Full UK driving licence is desirable to support community access.

Responsibilities

• Promote independence by helping individuals make choices and maintain daily control.
• Deliver personalised care tailored to needs, preferences, and support plans.
• Assist with meals, budgeting, shopping and maintaining a safe home.
• Support with medication in line with care plans and guidelines.
• Facilitate access to local services and social/educational opportunities.

Skills

Can Do Attitude

Flexibility

Driving Licence

Job description

Support Worker - Community Living Services

Job details

Salary £24,791.39 FTE £12.85 Per Hour Contractual hours 37 Basis Full time Region South Package £24,791.39 FTE £12.85 Per Hour Job category/type Adult Social Care Date posted 05/10/2026 Job reference OPR0000778 Attachments Support W JD - Community Living Oct 26.docx

Job description

Optalis is the Adult Social Care delivery partner on behalf of Wokingham Borough Council and the Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead Council. Optalis is owned and funded by the two councils - it is not a private provider or an employment agency, and we do not offer sponsorship.

Support Worker Locations: Finchampstead & Woodley Pay: £24, 791.39 FTE (£12.85 Mon-Fri / £14.38 Sat-Sun) Hours: Various - full-time and part-time available, with sleep in duties.

Supporting individuals to live independently within their own home and community promoting inclusion, independence and quality of life.

Your experience would benefit including support of individuals with learning disabilities and have worked previously within a lone environment.

The people we support have particularly requested an outgoing, problem solver, quick thinking and trustworthy person.

Support changes with requirements, wishes and goals. This can include:

• Support from trained Optalis staff, including sleepover shifts and overnight assistance -
• Personal care, including bathing and washing
• Household tasks, planning and preparing meals
• Developing and maintaining skills
• Managing health needs
• Money management
• Building links with friends, family and the community
• Social and leisure activities, planning activities with individuals
• Making healthy lifestyle choices

Shifts are from 7am -3pm, 3pm-10pm plus sleep in shifts are a requirement.

You will be required to work every other weekend which will include a sleep in shift.

Looking for a flexible fun member of staff to join our team.

Core Responsibilities

Promote Independence: Encourage the individuals to make their own choices and maintain control over their daily lives while providing appropriate support.

Personalised Support: Deliver care and assistance tailored to individual needs, preferences, and support plans.

Daily Living Assistance: Help with tasks such as meal preparation, shopping, budgeting, and maintaining a safe and clean environment.

Medication Support: Administer or prompt medication in line with care plans and legal guidelines.

Community Engagement: Support to access local services, social activities, and employment or education opportunities.

Safeguarding: Recognise and report any concerns about abuse, neglect, or exploitation promptly and in line with safeguarding policies.

Health & Wellbeing Monitoring: Observe changes in physical or mental health and observe changing concerns to relevant professionals.

Documentation: Maintain accurate records of support provided, incidents, and progress toward goals.

It would be beneficial to have knowledge of the following :

Understanding of person-centred care principles.

Awareness of health and safety regulations, including infection control.

Knowledge of mental health, learning disabilities, and physical disabilities.

Training in first aid, medication administration, and safeguarding adults.

Our mission is simple: to fulfil the potential of every individual and colleague we work with. We’re hiring cheerful, compassionate, and energetic people to become Learning Disability Support Workers—helping people live their best, most independent lives.

Your Essential Optalis Requirements:

• A "Can Do" Attitude: A genuine passion for empowering people and respecting their dignity and beliefs.
• Flexibility: Willingness to work a varied shift pattern (which will involve weekends and bank holidays).
• Must Have Wheels: For many of our Support Worker vacancies, a full, clean UK Driving Licence is highly desirable to ensure the people we support can access the community and achieve their goals.

Working for Optalis you will also receive a range of benefits, including:

• A Perkbox rewards package offering discounts on cinema, shopping, health, travel and insurance.
• 25 days annual leave (pro rata) increasing annually to a maximum of 30 days, as well as 8 bank holidays and an extra day off for your birthday.
• An additional health and wellbeing day.
• A comprehensive paid training and development programme.
• Excellent career progression opportunities and support.
• As a valued and integral member of the team you will have a voice in the service and forums to be heard and make a difference
• STAR awards $ú a reward scheme which recognises staff who have gone the extra mile.
• A generous pension scheme.

We anticipate this to be a popular role and reserve the right to close early should there be a large volume of applications.

Optalis is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of our staff and the people we support. All successful applicants will be required to undertake a DBS check and will need to provide proof of their right to work in the UK.

This role is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. The DBS clearance level required is Enhanced with Adult Barred list . For advice and information on disclosing criminal records you can contact Nacro's support service on 0300123 1999 or [e-mail]