Support Workers - Learning Disabilities - Drivers Only

Colonial Group; West of England; Hybrid; GBP 19,000 - 23,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

30 days annual leave

Learning and development

Health cash plan £695 cashback

Flexible working

Enhanced DBS check

Job summary

Colonial Group is hiring a dedicated support worker to help young people with learning disabilities, autism, and physical disabilities in Bradley Stoke. You will assist with daily living, personal care, budgeting, appointments, and local activities, with a focus on safety and well-being.

Role includes driving residents to community activities, farms, and swimming/hydrotherapy sessions, with shifts that cover weekends and nights.

Qualifications

• Patient, empathetic and compassionate approach to support.
• Flexibility for weekend shifts and waking nights.
• Essential: hold a full, clean UK driving licence and comfortable driving larger vehicles.

Responsibilities

• Assist with daily living tasks, housekeeping, budgeting, appointments and personal care.
• Support residents in activities locally and in Bristol area, including farms and community activities.
• Help residents access swimming and hydrotherapy and accompany them to community outings.

Skills

Patient

Empathetic

Compassionate

Education

Level 3/5 Health & Social Care Diploma (benefit)

Tools

Full UK driving licence

Job description

We have an exciting opportunity to be part of a fantastic supported living service in Bradley Stoke, providing 24-hour support to young people with learning disabilities, autism, and physical disabilities.

For many of those we support, this is their first time living away from home, so we are looking for patient, empathetic, and compassionate support workers to help them navigate this transition. You will play a key role in assisting individuals with daily living tasks, including housekeeping, budgeting, attending appointments, and personal care, while ensuring their overall well-being.

Additionally, you will support them in finding meaningful activities both locally and across Bristol and surrounding areas, helping them achieve their goals and live fulfilling lives.

Driving & Community Access

An essential and rewarding part of this role involves driving the people we support out into the community, helping them access local activities and take part in the things they enjoy.

To be considered for this position, it is essential that you hold a full, clean UK driving licence and feel comfortable and confident driving larger or unfamiliar vehicles.

We understand that driving a new vehicle can feel daunting at first. To help you feel completely at ease, we provide dedicated support, guidance, and practice time before you begin driving our residents.

Please note:

Because we have an immediate need to fill this post and want to get our new team member settled quickly, confidence in driving is a core, non-negotiable requirement from day one. If you do not meet these driving criteria, we kindly ask that you look out for our other non-driving vacancies.

Flexibility is essential, as shifts will include weekends, a variety of patterns, and waking nights.

We are looking for support workers who are keen on working with animals, as the position requires supporting people to work at farms.

Another expectation is to support people with swimming and hydrotherapy, so we are looking for candidates who are confident in entering the pool (you do not have to be a confident swimmer).

While experience in working with autism, learning disabilities, or challenging behaviours is desirable, it is not essential.

In return we offer excellent, high quality learning opportunities, including the opportunity to undertake a level 3 or 5 Diploma in Health and Social Care. Alongside this, other benefits include:

• 30 days' annual leave, including recognised public holidays
• Learning and development to support your career growth
• Nationally recognised qualifications, from entry-level care to management
• Flexible working, with rotas provided in advance
• Occupational Sick Pay after two years, increasing with service
• Health Cash Plan after probation, offering at least £695 cashback for health treatments (dental, optical, therapies, maternity/paternity, prescriptions)
• Enhanced maternity and paternity pay
• Free enhanced DBS check
• Dayforce Wallet, giving you access to your earnings before payday
• Employee referral scheme with financial rewards
• Employee Assistance Programme from day one, offering confidential 24/7 support
• Company pension scheme to help grow your retirement savings

We pride ourselves with being able to offer staff opportunities to develop and progress their careers within the Trust.