Job Description
Support Worker – Workplace Personal Assistant / Disability Support Role
Job Title
Support Worker (Workplace Support Assistant)
The role may also require travel to other locations within the United Kingdom to support work-related activities.
Working Hours
Standard working pattern:
Monday to Friday: 07:00 – 19:00
Temporary variation:
From 2 November 2026 to 7 May 2027, support will be required Monday to Thursday only (07:00 – 19:00), with Friday support temporarily suspended during the Employee’s study period.
The working pattern may be subject to change depending on the Employee’s requirements, work commitments, and agreed contractual arrangements.
Role Purpose
The Support Worker will provide high-quality workplace support to enable an Employee with a physical disability to undertake their professional duties safely, independently, and effectively.
The role is a reasonable adjustment under the Equality Act 2010 and is designed to remove workplace barriers, promote independence, and support the Employee’s continued participation within the workplace.
The successful candidate will work collaboratively with the Employee, following their direction and preferences, while ensuring safe, respectful, and person-centred support.
About the Employee’s Support Needs
The Employee has a diagnosis of:
- Osteogenesis Imperfecta Type 4 (Brittle Bone Disease).
The Employee:
- Is a full-time electric wheelchair user.
- Requires assistance with mobility-related tasks.
- Uses a mobile hoist to support safe transfers.
- Requires workplace support to manage personal care, accessibility, and environmental barriers.
The Support Worker must understand the importance of safe practice, dignity, confidentiality, and promoting the Employee’s independence.
Key Responsibilities
Personal Care Support
Provide discreet and respectful assistance with personal care needs, including:
- Support with bathroom access and personal hygiene requirements.
- Assistance with changing where required.
- Supporting the Employee to maintain dignity, privacy, and independence.
- Following the Employee’s instructions and preferences regarding personal care support.
Mobility and Transfers
Support the Employee with safe movement and transfers, including:
- Assisting with transfers using a mobile hoist and other approved equipment.
- Supporting movement on and off plinths, beds, and other workplace spaces.
- Following manual handling procedures and risk assessments.
- Ensuring equipment is used safely and correctly.
Rehabilitation and Exercise Support
Provide support with rehabilitation activities, including:
- Assisting with exercises and rehabilitation routines as directed by the Employee.
- Supporting agreed mobility and wellbeing activities.
- Encouraging independence while maintaining safety.
Medication Support
Provide medication support by:
- Assisting with medication administration under the direction and instruction of the Employee.
- Following agreed procedures and maintaining confidentiality.
Workplace Support
Assist the Employee to fully participate in their professional role by:
- Supporting access to meetings, workspaces, and facilities.
- Assisting with setting up meeting rooms and work environments.
- Identifying and reducing accessibility barriers.
- Supporting reasonable adjustments within the workplace.
- Providing practical assistance while promoting the Employee’s autonomy.
Food and Refreshment Support
Provide assistance with:
- Accessing refreshments and meals.
- Overcoming accessibility barriers relating to food and drink.
- Supporting the Employee’s preferences and independence.
Emergency Support
Provide emergency assistance, including:
- Supporting emergency evacuation procedures.
- Assisting the Employee during emergencies in line with training and agreed procedures.
- Ensuring safety during workplace incidents.
Travel Responsibilities
Corporate Hub Travel
The Support Worker will:
- Drive the Employee to and from their workplace using the Employee’s Motability vehicle.
- Hold a valid UK driving licence with no penalty points or relevant convictions.
- Be competent and confident in operating an adapted vehicle.
- Support the Employee from workplace parking facilities to their workstation.
- Assist in overcoming wheelchair accessibility challenges.
Work-Related Travel
The role may include supporting the Employee at external work locations, including travel to locations such as:
- Manchester.
- Leeds.
- Sheffield.
- University of Reading.
Responsibilities may include:
- Accompanying the Employee using appropriate transport, including rail travel.
- Travelling with the Employee the day before an engagement where required.
- Staying overnight where necessary.
- Supporting access to accommodation, meals, and essential facilities.
- Ensuring the Employee remains safe and supported throughout travel.
Person-Centred Approach
The successful candidate must:
- Respect the Employee’s choices, independence, and preferred ways of working.
- Follow instructions provided by the Employee.
- Maintain a professional and supportive relationship.
- Enable independence rather than creating unnecessary reliance.
- Communicate effectively and respectfully.
- Maintain confidentiality at all times.
Required Skills and Experience
Essential:
- Experience providing personal care or disability support.
- Understanding of physical disabilities and mobility support needs.
- Experience supporting individuals who use wheelchairs and mobility equipment.
- Understanding of manual handling principles.
- Ability to work flexibly and adapt to changing requirements.
- Strong communication skills.
- Ability to work independently while following agreed procedures.
- Commitment to dignity, respect, and person-centred support.
Desirable:
- Experience supporting individuals with complex physical disabilities.
- Experience working within professional workplace environments.
- Experience supporting individuals using hoists and specialist equipment.
- Experience providing workplace adjustments and accessibility support.
Required Training and Qualifications
The Support Worker must have:
- Manual Handling training.
- First Aid training.
Training must remain current and compliant throughout the period of employment.
Additional training may be required, including:
- Use of specific mobility equipment.
- Emergency procedures.
- Workplace accessibility requirements.
Security Clearance Requirements
Due to the workplace environment, successful candidates must meet Government security requirements.
Mandatory:
- Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) clearance.
- Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) clearance.
Desirable:
- Security Check (SC) clearance where required due to access to sensitive Government information or assets.
Personal Attributes and Values
The successful candidate will demonstrate:
Consistency
- Provide reliable and dependable support.
- Maintain agreed routines and standards.
- Ensure continuity of care.
Adaptability
- Respond positively to changing needs and circumstances.
- Adjust support approaches according to the Employee’s requirements.
Flexibility
- Be willing to support changes in working patterns, travel requirements, and workplace needs.
- Work collaboratively to ensure the Employee receives appropriate support.
Professionalism
- Maintain confidentiality and boundaries.
- Demonstrate respect and understanding.
- Represent the service professionally.
Involvement in Assessment and Support Planning
The successful Support Worker will be expected to participate in:
- Initial assessments of the Employee’s support requirements.
- Reviews of workplace support arrangements.
- Risk assessments relating to mobility, transfers, accessibility, and travel.
- Development and review of support plans.
- Equipment assessments and safe working practices.
- Ongoing feedback discussions with the Employee and relevant stakeholders.
The Employee will be actively involved in the assessment process to ensure support arrangements reflect their individual preferences, independence, and professional requirements.
Safeguarding and Health & Safety Responsibilities
The Support Worker must:
- Promote the Employee’s safety, dignity, and wellbeing.
- Follow safeguarding procedures.
- Report concerns appropriately.
- Maintain safe working practices.
- Follow workplace health and safety requirements.
- Ensure equipment is used safely and appropriately.
Reporting Structure
The Support Worker will work collaboratively with:
- The Employee receiving support.
- The contracted service provider.
- Workplace representatives where required.
- Relevant occupational health and accessibility professionals.
The Employee remains central to directing their support and identifying how assistance should be provided.
Pay: £26,800.00-£27,000.00 per year
Work Location: In person
