Support Worker – Ferndown – Weekday Afternoons Freedom Care

Freedom Care Group; Ferndown; Remote; GBP 25,000 - 28,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Travel reimbursement

Job summary

Freedom Care Group is seeking a Support Worker for Ferndown to provide after-school style support in three 3-hour weekday sessions. The role involves assisting a child who uses a specialist pool, including water-related activities, with supervision by another worker in every session.

You will gain full training, participate in shadow shifts, and foster a trusting relationship with the child and family while maintaining detailed records.

Qualifications

• At least 2 years’ experience supporting children with neurodiverse needs.
• Experience with autism, ADHD, PDA or learning disabilities.
• Experience supporting children with complex needs and behaviours of concern.

Responsibilities

• Support the same child over time, learning routines and communication style.
• Work in pairs (2:1) for each session.
• Provide personal care and support with medication (training provided).
• Maintain accurate records and communicate clearly.
• Attend mandatory training and DBS checks.

Skills

Neurodiverse support

Behaviour as communication

Personal care training

DBS check/Update Service

Driving is helpful

Education

Health and Social Care Level 3

Equivalent qualification

Tools

PECS

Makaton

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.

A 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.