Support Worker (Night Shift)

Southdown; Chichester; Hybrid; GBP 18,000 - 21,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health cost cash-back scheme

Interest-free loans

Easit Network discounts

Blue Light card

Free advice and counselling service

25 days paid holiday plus bank hols

Job summary

Southdown is recruiting a compassionate Support Worker to help adults with learning and physical disabilities live independently and with dignity. You will support daily living tasks, encourage social participation, and promote community inclusion in a caring, hands-on role.

Full training is provided; prior experience is welcome but not essential. The role offers 37 hours per week at £13.49 per hour with allowances for unsociable hours and sleep-in shifts.

Qualifications

• Patient-centred and empathetic approach required.
• Willingness to undertake Southdown’s health & social care training and safeguarding courses.
• Enhanced DBS check required (paid by Southdown).
• Training completion in moving and handling, POSITIVE BEHAVIOUR SUPPORT and health protocols needed.

Responsibilities

• Encourage clients to engage with the community through activities (walks, cinema, shopping, cafe visits).
• Support daily living tasks such as cooking, cleaning and personal care.
• Help build clients' confidence and independence through empowering care.
• Contribute to a compassionate, consistent routine where no two days are the same.

Skills

Empathy

Patient support

Communication

Flexibility

Education

Enhanced DBS check

Southdown health & social care training

Moving and handling training

Positive Behaviour Support training

Safeguarding training

Job description

Description

Application Deadline: 13 September 2026

Department: Learning Disability

Location: West Sussex - Chichester

Compensation: £13.49 / hour

Description

Location

Lennox Court, Chichester

Salary: £13.49 per hour plus allowances

Hours: 37 per week

Allowances (dependent on working times):

• Unsociable hours uplift: £4.51 extra per waking night shift
• Sleep-in shifts: £61 per shift (10pm–7am)
• Sleep-in disturbance: If disturbed for 1–4 hours, you get the unsociable hours uplift plus normal hourly pay for time worked. If disturbed for 4+ hours, you’re paid normal hourly rate for the entire shift plus the £4.51 allowance.

Who are we:

Southdown is a not-for-profit provider supporting 160 adults with learning and physical disabilities across Sussex. We run 23 supported living services and 4 residential care homes.

What you’ll be doing:

Are you passionate about making a real difference? We’re seeking a compassionate and adaptable Support Worker to help individuals live independently and with dignity. Your role involves encouraging clients to connect with their community through activities like walks, cinema, shopping, and café visits, alongside supporting daily living tasks such as cooking, cleaning, and personal care.

You’ll help build clients’ confidence and independence through empowering care in a rewarding role where no two days are the same.

Previous experience in roles such as Health Care Assistant, Support Worker, Nurse, or Mental Health Care Worker is welcome but not essential, as full training will be provided.

The best thing about my job is the clients. Getting to know them, getting to know their characters and just enjoying life with them’ – Karen, Southdown Support Worker.

Service Description:

Lennox Court is a supported living service for 6 adults with learning disabilities. Lennox Court is a purpose-built, one storey building in the Parklands area of Chichester. The property has six self-contained flats – each with a specially-adapted bathroom. There is a communal lounge, dining room and kitchen where clients can socialise and take part in activities. The building is very close to the centre of Chichester (about 10 minutes’ walk) and train station (15 minutes’ walk), with frequent local buses.

Our clients are supported to lead active, fulfilling lives and are supported to make the most of their local community while developing each client’s choice, control and independence.

Perks and benefits:

• Health cost cash-back scheme: access to our health insurance scheme which covers dental, optical, physical therapies and other medical treatments with the option to add greater levels of cover.
• Interest‑free loans: assistance with larger costs that arise such as tenancy deposits, season travel tickets or buying a car.
• Access to the Easit Network: discounts and incentives on train, bus and car journeys such as 15% off eligible daily and season rail tickets.
• Blue Light card: access to discount services for the social care sector with savings across thousands of online shops, restaurants, and high‑street vendors.
• Free advice and counselling service: confidential emotional support and practical guidance from our independent telephone service.
• 25 days paid holiday plus bank holidays (or paid time in lieu for any bank holidays worked).

Knowledge, skills and experience

What you need for the role:

• A patient, empathetic approach
• Completion of Southdown’s training in health & social care, moving and handling, Positive Behaviour Support, safeguarding, and health protocols
• Willingness to support intimate and personal care needs
• Enhanced DBS check (paid for by Southdown)

What would be nice:

• Experience supporting people with physical or cognitive disabilities, learning disabilities, or mental health issues
• Experience handling challenging behaviour
• Knowledge of medication administration and record‑keeping
• Previous professional or personal care experience
• Familiarity with Makaton or other non‑verbal communication methods

Additional Requirements (sometimes needed)

• Physical ability to assist with mobility (e.g., pushing wheelchairs, supporting bathing) and participate in activities like long walks
• A full manual driving licence may be needed to operate service vehicles and support community access
• Due to the nature of care, the post may sometimes be restricted to applicants of a particular sex in line with the Equality Act 2010, depending on client needs

Training:

Full training is provided, so no prior experience is necessary. You’ll gain qualifications and develop your skills with the largest housing, care, and support provider in Sussex.