JACS CARE | RECRUITMENT
JACS CARE
Support Worker
Learning Disabilities & Autism Services
Location
Across East and South London
Working pattern
Day, evening, weekend and night shifts, including waking nights
Salary
From £14.80 per hour, depending on experience and qualifications. Enhanced rates for waking nights may be discussed at interview.
Reports to
Service Manager / Deputy Manager / Senior Support Worker
Purpose of the role
To provide safe, compassionate and person-centred support to adults with learning disabilities and/or autism. The Support Worker will help each person build independence, exercise choice, maintain relationships, participate in their community and achieve outcomes that matter to them. Support must uphold dignity, rights, privacy, wellbeing and positive risk-taking at all times.
At JACS Care, we look beyond care tasks. We recognise each person’s strengths, interests, identity and aspirations, and we support them to live a meaningful and self-directed life.
Key responsibilities
Person-centred support
Develop respectful, consistent relationships and deliver support in line with each person’s support plan, communication profile, risk assessments and agreed outcomes.
Promote choice, control, independence and skill development in daily living, including cooking, shopping, budgeting, travel, appointments, education, employment, leisure and community participation.
Provide personal care sensitively where required, protecting dignity, privacy, cultural identity and individual preferences.
Use communication approaches suited to the individual, which may include easy-read information, visual supports, objects of reference, Makaton, assistive technology or other agreed methods.
Understand autism, sensory differences and learning disabilities, and adapt the environment, pace, language and support approach to reduce distress and promote regulation.
Recognise behaviour as communication and follow Positive Behaviour Support strategies, proactive plans and least-restrictive practice. Any restrictive intervention must be lawful, necessary, proportionate, trained and properly recorded.
Health, wellbeing and safety
Support physical and emotional wellbeing, healthy routines, nutrition, hydration, sleep and access to healthcare.
Support with medication only when trained and assessed as competent, following JACS Care policy, the individual’s MAR documentation and escalation procedures.
Identify and report changes in presentation, health, mood, behaviour or risk promptly, and respond appropriately to emergencies.
Follow safeguarding procedures, professional boundaries, infection prevention, moving and handling, lone-working, fire safety and health and safety requirements.
Work within the Mental Capacity Act 2005, apply its principles in everyday practice and support best-interest decision-making where required.
Recording and teamwork
Maintain accurate, respectful and timely daily notes, incident records, handovers, medication records and outcome evidence, using digital systems where required.
Work collaboratively with individuals, families, advocates, colleagues, managers, social workers and health professionals while maintaining confidentiality and appropriate information sharing.
Attend handovers, team meetings, supervision, appraisal and mandatory training, and contribute ideas that improve people’s quality of life and service delivery.
Follow JACS Care policies, the staff code of conduct, professional standards and regulatory requirements, and raise concerns openly through the appropriate channels.
Night-shift responsibilities
Remain awake, alert and available throughout waking-night shifts and complete regular welfare and environmental checks in line with individual plans.
Support agreed bedtime, overnight and morning routines, including personal care, continence support and repositioning where assessed and trained.
Respond calmly to distress, seizures, illness, accidents, fire alarms, missing-person concerns or other emergencies, contacting on-call support and emergency services when necessary.
Complete required cleaning, safety, security and administrative tasks without compromising the individual’s rest, privacy or support needs.
Provide a clear, accurate handover to the incoming team and report all concerns, incidents and actions taken.
Person specification
Essential
A genuine commitment to the rights, inclusion and wellbeing of people with learning disabilities and autistic people.
A calm, respectful, reliable and emotionally resilient approach, with the ability to listen, observe and respond without judgement.
Good spoken and written English, with the ability to produce clear records and communicate with individuals, families and professionals.
Ability to follow plans, policies and boundaries while using initiative and escalating concerns appropriately.
Flexibility to work a rota that may include days, evenings, weekends, bank holidays and waking nights.
Ability and willingness to travel reliably between services across East and South London, including for short-notice cover where reasonably required.
Right to work in the UK and willingness to complete an enhanced DBS check, satisfactory references and all safer-recruitment checks required for the role.
Willingness to complete JACS Care induction, the Care Certificate, mandatory training and ongoing learning.
Preferred
Previous experience supporting adults with learning disabilities and/or autism in supported living, residential care, outreach or community services.
Level 3 Diploma in Adult Care, Level 3 Diploma in Health and Social Care, or an equivalent relevant qualification.
Experience of Positive Behaviour Support, trauma-informed practice, complex communication, epilepsy, medication, personal care or behaviours of distress.
A full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle for work, where this is required for a particular service.
Training and development
Experience and a relevant Level 3 qualification are preferred; however, we also welcome applicants who have the right values, attitude and potential. Where the right candidate does not yet hold the qualification, JACS Care is committed to investing in their development through a structured induction, the Care Certificate, mandatory and role-specific training, regular supervision and support to work towards an appropriate Level 3 adult care qualification, subject to successful performance and business requirements.
Physical and practical requirements
The role may involve standing, walking, supporting mobility, household activities and assisting with personal care or moving and handling, depending on the needs of the service. Appropriate risk assessments, equipment and training will be provided.
Staff may work alone or as part of a team and must be able to use a phone, electronic care-record system and other routine workplace technology.
Safeguarding and equality
JACS Care is committed to safeguarding adults and expects every employee to share this responsibility. Appointment is subject to safer recruitment checks appropriate to regulated activity. JACS Care is an equal-opportunities employer and values a workforce that reflects the communities we support. Reasonable adjustments will be considered throughout recruitment and employment.
Job-description status
This job description describes the main responsibilities of the role. It is not an exhaustive list and may be reviewed as services develop, following discussion with the postholder. Staff will only be asked to undertake duties that are reasonable, lawful and appropriate to their role, training and competence.
Support Worker Job Description | JACS Care
Work Location: In person
