support worker

locality manager

relief worker

support practitioner

safety specialist

DIMENSIONS UK LTD

This job has opened my eyes to the disabled and autism community, I have learnt so much, I’ve cried, laughed and smiled throughout this position as support worker. 

The company itself does need some work. I have been here for 5 years and the pay is standard. This job involves stressful situations that other higher ranking positions wouldn’t have to deal with. For example someone in HR on 40k would never have to provide intense personal care, give medication, deal with challenging behaviour, cover 14 hour service shifts. I do understand the position comes with its own stresses but one cannot compare against some of the tasks required by support staff, And support staff are the backbone of the company and they receive the lowest wage, this job does require skill, determination, perseverance and dedication.

It sounds silly, but increasing the wage to £12-15 an hour and increase the qualifications needed for the role would make this position a more comfortable and worthwhile career. But with the rising costs of living it’s not a long term solution and the position is currently more attractive for people looking for work short term. And I love my job but it’s not sustainable for my lifestyle and I would love to stay forever. 

With that said, my management team and colleagues are fantastic. I have made some great friends and provided quality care and support for those who need it. The gratitude and response from the people I support is everything, and when I leave no other job will give me that sense of achievement like dimensions has. 

The benefits and company policies are amazing. A month of annual leave, and sickness policy is very helpful, and the EAP, employee assistance is such a beneficial service. I went through a difficult time and my team were so kind and banded together so I could take time to process and heal. 

Some people say “I could never do what you do” 

I said the same thing before becoming a support worker and I now I can only see myself doing this for work. 

If you’re a single parent, a student, fresh out of the uni, or looking to get into care work. I recommend dimensions 100%





A lot of support for career development (free BCBA supervision) you are able to keep up to date with legislation (e.g. DoLs) and best practice (ABAF, independent supervision as part of normal working hours).

The head of behaviour support is knowledge and able to give practical advice.
The whole behaviour support team are very approachable.

There is emphasis given on career development and interest given to external projects you might be working on (such as publishing papers).

You often see upper management come into services.

There are alot of platforms given to the people being supported a voice and some good events (disco, parties, sports day, cookery classes) which help the people we support network, gain skills and socialise.

Dimensions is a company that gives its employees a chance to work there way up (support workers become assistants, become managers etc), there are many departments (IT, HR, housing, PR) which peoples career can blossom in.

Theres are alot of benefits such as the employee assistance programme, sickness incentive bonus, Aspire programme.

Dimensions is a not for profit and puts its surplus back into the company and employees (yearly cash bonus in May if the company reaches its target).

There's never a dull moment, but that also means that you need to be able to demonstrate the core values (integrity, courage, ambition, respect, partnership) at all times.

The role requires you to be able to keep on top of alot of critical matters at once, Dimensions systems and support network help you to do this effectively.

I've always had regular one2ones and my manager always responds promptly and professionally.

Since being at Dimensions, amongst other things, I have become a Proact-scipr-uk Instructor, run a drop in clinic at the autism show and meet some extremely dedicated people.

I am looking forward to what is next at my career in Dimensions. I've been working here for 2 year and hope to be here for a lot more.

started work at 8am this mornning.supporting agirl with aurtism and chellenging behaver.support her to wash all her pot and she wiped them and put them away.ran her bath as she was in her pjs when i arrived and needs to get dress,check the temp of her water befor she got in.ask her to have her bath then support her to get dress and make her aware if her clothes we on the right way.i then moved on to my next job at 10am support a young girl with down sydrom to go to the bank to get some money out so she could go and have her hair cut.then i suported her to go and book ashow that she wants to go to.took her for some lunch.then back home to do all of her banking .support her to havbath and put clean clthes on as she had all hair down her back.suport to put the washer on with her clothes that wanted washing.then i was on the house from 3pm to 7pm with all the other girls that share the house as there are 5 of them.support each girl to cook there tea.then to give them there medecation.update all there files.make them all aware that they have to make sure the house is left clean and tidy.write out there daily logs .ring care link to let them no when i am leaving and to let them no that the girls are now on there own as i finish at 7pm.there are some days that dont go to well and i have to sit with the person and reasure them that everything is ok.i also do there reviews.doctor app.hospital app.i learn to take each day as it comes as the next day is never the same.the job is working alone so its not very often that you see another member of the team.the hardest part of the job is never knowing what the day will bring.the most enjoyable part of the job is knowing that i can put a smile on there face and make them laught.and to no that i am leaving them all in ahappy mood.
there as been alot of changers in the comperney over the last year.and i just feel that its not for the best.you dont seem to have any back up.we were without amanger for over ayear so there as not been team meetings.or sv.

Dimensions is an equal opportunities employer. They do not discriminate and will take into account any disabilities an applicant may have. They provide a wealth of online training and prepare anyone taking on the role exceptionally well.

The role itself is a complex one, as any job working with individuals with learning difficulties can be. No two days are the same and the role encompasses supporting people with all activities they may need to do in their daily life. This can be anything from personal care and housework, to taking supported people on a holiday.

The staffing team at ground level are amazing and very supportive - they work hard and always go above and beyond to help when they can, however the management have their hands tied on various issues, seeming unable to make decisions alone, as there is a vast hierarchy and it often can feel as if the support workers are at the bottom of a very tall tree, where issues cannot (or will not) reach the level where they can be efficiently and productively dealt with, but are expected to cope in any eventuality as "this is part of the job".

In an emergency situation, management are often unavailable to staff dealing with what can be a very upsetting and stressful time and staff can be "asked" to cover shifts at very short notice, being made to feel exceptionally uncomfortable should they refuse. 

Rarely, management do actually assist with major issues, and when they do, they do this well...but this is exceptionally rare and usually staff are given a list of reasons why they cannot help at this time.

There are opportunities to advance through the staffing levels, towards management positions but, as with any job, this can be a long and complex journey, individuals who wish to do this would need to be prepared for a long wait and many trials and stress along the way.

An applicant would need to be exceptionally mentally and emotionally strong to do this job, however it can also be hugely rewarding if they are able to take the negative along with the positive.

Dimensions are quite easily up there with the very worst care providers I have had the misfortune to work for.  I really don't know where to start.  The bulk of their "training" (I use that word very loosely) is PC based and to say their archaic system is flawed with constant bugs and glitches is being over generous.  The reality is they appear to be using a mainframe linked to a ZX Spectrum!

There are also endless volumes of paperwork and box ticking that no other care company I've come across would ever require.  As instead workers should be focused on the people we support not spending half a shift needlessly documenting and letting actual care slide.

As for the staff well for the most part my colleagues were decent and hard working.  However that was obviously on the ground level, when you got any higher things were an utter shambles with no clear direction or management seeming to have a clue what they were doing.  You could literally turn up on shift and be expected to know your daily routine which would more often than not change at the last minute.  This was due to sheer management incompetence and a level of disorganization that beggars belief.

You also had lower tier admin staff who seemed to think they were management and attempted to order care staff around like they were children which is obviously a very unprofessional and unpleasant way to motivate staff.  This kind of thing is what I imagine caused so much bad feeling and resentment among my colleagues.

As always with many support work jobs the best thing is the people we support and that is really the only positive thing about Dimensions as they were a joy to work with and support.  I just hope that things improve there as I personally would not want a relative or loved one of mine in a Dimensions home.

I have worked for Dimensions for 8 years and thoroughly enjoy my job.  Each day I strive for the best for the people that I support.  I truly believe that you get out of work what you put into it, when you're supporting wonderful people how could you not give it your all! Dimensions gives you the opportunity to make a difference in people's lives and will support you to work collaboratively with families and other professionals.  Person centred care is top priority at Dimensions, I've always been encouraged to put people first and to help people to achieve their goals.
Dimensions have always appreciated my work and my manager tells me this on a regular basis. My managers have always been there for advice, support or even just a chat, they are very busy people but even if I haven't seen them for a while in person they will call and text regularly.
I have had the opportunity to go on training courses, completed diplomas and learned many new skills. 
My opinion has always been heard, situations may not always have gone the way that I would have preferred but my opinion was taken into account and I was listened to, I understand you can't always have it your way.
My team is fantastic - supportive, kind and caring. We look after each other and learn together, sure there are times that we may disagree but we're professionals (and adults) so we talk about it and compromise.
My advice to anyone thinking of joining is DO IT! Remember that your actions make the biggest difference to your work life, we can't always rely on others to make us happy -  so give it your all and work to put a smile on people's faces, then you can't go wrong!

I’ve worked for dimensions for a period of 3 years and I can hands down say this was the worst experience in my life. 

Working at this company has been incredibly tough. I've endured excessively long hours, often pushing through 16-hour days without much support from management. It's frustrating to see managers shirking their responsibilities, even caught shopping in town when they should be at work like they stated but told one service they are at another and then found in town conducting their shops. 

Covering shifts for sick colleagues has become routine, even though it's supposed to be management's duty. And forget about career progression; it feels like we're stuck in the same place forever. The management clique between the LM and ALM only adds to the frustration, with them showing favoritism and playing by their own rules.

While some coworkers are fantastic, others will do anything to cozy up to management, even if it means stabbing colleagues in the back. Dealing with entitled PWS adds to the stress and constant threats and allegation made by certain PWS never get any support from management in relation to this, this can leave you in vulnerable position opened to allegation that are untrue that the management won’t support you in anyway.  The constant lying and cover-ups from management make it feel like we're working in a toxic environment.

They say people leave managers, not jobs, and in this case, it's absolutely true. I left a few years back, and I've never been happier. If you care about your well-being, I'd steer clear of this place. It's just not worth it if I could I would give this zero stars!

STAY CLEAR!!! 


Most enjoyable part of job is participating in activities out in community with clients.

Job can be flexible and mindful of staffs personal adjustments needed.  

Online Training is offered however is not my personal preference as is not as engaging.

High staff turnover due to low pay and having to deal with behaviors that distress. Clients can be often be abusive towards staff.

Unresponsive/slow communication with other professionals such as social worker really makes a difference to basic service needs of clients being delayed. 

Management presence has improved over years due to staff consistently requesting more support but ultimately management workload do not allow enough time to consistently keep on top of demands from staff and the insistent demanding nature of the clients.

Unfortunately the culture is that clients more often than not only respect figures of authority.

Staff can be inconsistent at times  with following support needs due to personal opinions getting the way and effective communication across team is lacking at times - Dimensions uses far too many different IT systems which are often lagging and glitching.

Workplace culture-  team often does not feel like a collaborative unit due to lack of financial incentive/motivation/low rent location.

This working environment will teach you patience, self motivation, the value of being professional, pro active, resilient, the value of being assertive, importance of attention to detail, importance of maintaining healthy boundaries among clients and fellow staff.


I have really enjoyed working for Dimensions so far. We do as it says on the tin, we support vulnerable people in any way which they may need from helping them do the laundry to cooking for/with them.
I haven’t been working long but so far have really enjoyed my work an always arrive to work excited to start and feeling accomplished and valued after finishing work.
I have learnt so much and still have so much more to learn. I have enjoyed getting to know the guys that we support and also learning how the company works inline with the correct standards.
My management have been great and have always been there when I have needed them and have answered all questions I have needed. They have helped me with training and understanding what I needed to do and have paired me up with the appropriate member of staff to help me develop more and fit in well. 
Some days can be tough with the guys especially at the beginning trying to work out how bst to support the guys and getting to know them but once you have done that it gets a bit easier. Especially at the moment it can be tricky to keep the guys busy and entertained through out this all but you come up with ways which is very rewarding.
The most enjoyable part of the job is seeing what difference you make to the guys we support and also getting to know them as people. 
It is a very rewarding job to do and with great support with management.
This job has been great to learn and is very rewarding and fun with lots of support from those around and you feel like a valued member of the team from other staff members, management and also the people we support.

Dimensions have the best intentions towards the people we support and those they employ. They are striving to give as many people as possible the best lives that they choose as possible. 
We are in a really tough climate with recruitment struggles and pay being increasingly low. This impacts so much as well as mental health of employees. Dimensions try their hardest to support colleagues of all levels to have the best, including challenging MPs to fight for a pay increase within Parliament. Dimensions are honest about pay/benefits and always trying to improve this nation wide. 
There is a clear and open network of people willing to help with any issues, all you need to do is discuss them honestly. Not only is your immediate manager willing to listen but so is their manager too. 
Times are tough in social care across the sector with low staff numbers and pay being less than ideal but Dimensions are trying to care for everyone as much as possible. The people we support have wonderful moments that we are privledged to do with them. I love being able to plan activities that are dream moments for people such as going to watch Disney on ice at the O2, taking a person we support indoor sky-diving, cinema trips, jubilee parties to bring people closer together...the list goes on! This role is what you make it, give it your all and you will love it!
With fully recruited teams, Dimensions have the infrastructure, support network and values to be able to further improve the lives of the people we support and support teams. Well done to Dimensions for continuing to move forward in an incredibly tough time for the sector.

Top Job Titles	Average salary
Support worker 1265 salaries reported	£13.03 per hour
Locality manager 21 salaries reported	£34,552 per year
Relief worker 42 salaries reported	£12.76 per hour
Support practitioner 4 salaries reported	£40,167 per year
Safety specialist 2 salaries reported	£38,500 per year

Working at Dimensions: company overview and reviews

Dimensions

Dimensions ratings

Popular jobs at Dimensions

Salary satisfaction

Jobseeker tools

Employer Tools

Browse

Stay Connected