Support Worker - Ferndown - Weekday Afternoons

Regroup Mass Notification; Ropley Dean; On-site; GBP 21,000 - 29,000; Part time

Job summary

Freedom Care Group is looking for a Support Worker to assist a child in Ferndown with neurodiverse needs. Sessions run weekday afternoons, typically 3:30pm–6:30pm, with a strict 2:1 staffing model and comprehensive training provided.

You will gain experience supporting complex needs, with DBS clearance and ongoing professional development as part of a caring, reliable team.

Qualifications

• 2+ years’ experience supporting children and young people with neurodiverse needs (autism/ADHD/PDA/LD).
• Experience with complex needs and behaviours of concern.
• Patience and understanding of behaviour as communication.
• Experience with personal care and medication support or willingness to train.
• Caring, reliable and resilient with ability to build relationships with child and family.
• Good communication and accurate record-keeping.
• Willingness to complete mandatory training and Enhanced DBS/DBS Update Service.
• Level 3 Health and Social Care preferred; full UK driving licence and vehicle helpful; PECS/Makaton experience welcome.

Responsibilities

• Support the same child over time; learn routines, needs and communication style.
• Work in 2:1 sessions; never alone with the child; full training and shadow shifts provided.
• Assist during term-time sessions and holidays as described; ensure safety near water due to swimming pool use.

Skills

Patience

Communication

Reliability

Resilience

Relationship building

Education

Level 3 Health and Social Care

Enhanced DBS check

Job description

Support Worker – Ferndown - Weekday Afternoons

Location: Ferndown
Hours: Three weekday afternoon sessions, generally 3:30pm–6:30pm during term time
Pay: £18 per hour for weekday sessions

About Freedom Care Group

Freedom Care Group provides childcare and specialist support for children, young people and families. We take a relationship-first approach, giving workers time to get to know each young person and build trust with them and their family. Freedom Care Group is CQC registered and is committed to high standards of support, supervision, training and governance.

About the role

This ongoing, year-long package provides 9 hours a week during term time, usually as three 3-hour sessions, and approximately 12 hours a week during school holidays, likely as three 4-hour sessions.

You’ll support the same child over time, learning about his personality, routines, needs and individual ways of communicating. He uses a specialist pool, so you must be able to swim and feel confident supporting him around water.

Every session is staffed 2:1. You’ll always work alongside another support worker and never work alone with the child. Full training and shadow shifts will be provided.

Requirements

• At least 2 years’ experience supporting children and young people with neurodiverse needs, including experience relevant to autism, ADHD, PDA or learning disabilities.
• Experience supporting children with complex needs and behaviours of concern.
• A patient approach that recognises behaviour as communication, including the different ways pre-verbal or non-verbal children may express their needs.
• Experience providing personal care and supporting with medication, or willingness to complete relevant training before undertaking these tasks.
• A caring, reliable and resilient approach, with the ability to build a positive, consistent relationship with the child and family.
• Good communication skills and the ability to maintain accurate records.
• Willingness to complete mandatory training, the appropriate Enhanced DBS check and registration with the DBS Update Service.

Level 3 qualification in Health and Social Care or equivalent is preferred but not essential. A full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle would be helpful. Experience in a special school, or using PECS or Makaton, would also be welcome.

Travel payments

Travel time beyond the first 30 minutes each way to and from support sessions is paid at £14.25 per hour. Mileage beyond the first 15 miles each way to and from sessions is paid at 45p per mile. Any journey with a child in your vehicle is paid at 45p per mile.