Female Support Worker and Waking Night Support Worker
Learning Disabilities – Temporary Maternity Cover
The Conifers, Fordham, Colchester, Essex
£12.82 per hour
Part-time, temporary maternity-cover vacancies
Already Working Under Sponsorship and Looking for Additional Part-Time Hours?
Why not come and work with us?
We currently have two temporary maternity-cover opportunities available:
- Female Support Worker – 20 hours per week
- Female Waking Night Support Worker – 18 hours per week
Both positions are offered as temporary maternity-cover contracts for an anticipated period of 9–12 months, with the possibility of an extension depending on the needs of the service.
Important Information
These temporary, part-time vacancies do not provide new visa sponsorship. However, we welcome applications from people who are already sponsored in the UK and are legally permitted to undertake supplementary employment.
Applicants must provide evidence of their right to work the advertised hours. Any additional employment must comply with the conditions of the applicant’s existing visa and must not interfere with their main sponsored employment.
All offers of employment are subject to satisfactory right-to-work and safer-recruitment checks in line with CQC requirements.
These roles are restricted to female applicants due to the personal care needs and privacy of the people we support. This is a genuine occupational requirement in accordance with Schedule 9, Part 1 of the Equality Act 2010.
These posts are exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. Successful applicants will be required to complete an enhanced DBS check and provide satisfactory references before employment can commence.
Make a Genuine Difference Every Day
We are looking for caring, reliable and proactive individuals with a calm, patient and dependable approach to join our friendly team supporting adults with learning disabilities and complex needs.
This is more than a support role. It is an opportunity to promote dignity, independence, wellbeing and meaningful engagement while helping the people we support feel safe, valued and included in their everyday lives.
Working at The Conifers means joining a supportive team where quality of care matters, relationships matter and your contribution is genuinely appreciated.
About Us
We are a small, independent social care organisation based in Fordham, Colchester.
We support eight adults with learning disabilities across our residential care setting:
- Five people live in our spacious bungalow, The Conifers, which has a beautiful garden and heated outdoor swimming pool.
- Two people live in our self-contained independent flats and require dedicated one-to-one support with their complex needs.
Current Opportunities
Female Support Worker – 20 Hours per Week
This is a temporary, part-time position providing maternity cover for an anticipated period of 9–12 months, with the possibility of an extension.
The role will involve supporting people with their personal care, daily routines, activities, appointments, community access and emotional wellbeing.
The successful applicant will work a mixture of shifts, which may include early, late and weekend shifts. The proposed shift pattern will be discussed at interview and confirmed in writing as part of any offer of employment.
Female Waking Night Support Worker – 18 Hours per Week
This is a temporary, part-time waking-night position providing maternity cover for an anticipated period of 9–12 months, with the possibility of an extension.
The successful applicant will remain awake throughout the shift and will be responsible for supporting the safety, comfort and wellbeing of the people using the service overnight.
Responsibilities will include responding to individual needs, providing personal care where required, completing scheduled checks, maintaining accurate records and providing a clear handover to the daytime team.
The proposed night-shift pattern will be discussed at interview and confirmed in writing as part of any offer of employment.
Key Responsibilities
Depending on the position applied for, responsibilities will include:
- Assisting people with personal care, including bathing, dressing and daily living routines.
- Providing companionship and emotional support.
- Supporting people with mobility, physical activities, appointments and social activities.
- Supporting people to access their local community.
- Driving people to appointments, activities and outings using company vehicles where required.
- Promoting dignity, independence, choice and person-centred support.
- Using Positive Behaviour Support approaches and following individual behaviour-support plans.
- Communicating appropriately with healthcare professionals, families and colleagues.
- Assessing risks and supporting people safely within the home and community.
- Maintaining accurate records relating to care, wellbeing, progress and support provided.
- Following individual care plans, risk assessments and organisational policies.
- Responding appropriately to emergencies and reporting concerns promptly.
- Participating in training, supervision and professional development.
About You
Applicants must:
- Be aged 18 or over.
- Hold a full UK driving licence, as public transport is unavailable and staff may be required to drive company vehicles.
- Have previous experience working in the care sector, preferably supporting adults with learning disabilities.
- Be caring, patient, flexible and enthusiastic.
- Be confident and responsible, with the ability to work independently.
- Be able to use initiative and assess risks appropriately.
- Be committed to delivering safe, dignified and person-centred support.
- Be able to communicate effectively and maintain accurate records.
- Have the legal right to undertake the advertised employment.
Rewards and Benefits
- Competitive pay of £12.82 per hour, Monday to Sunday.
- Paid breaks.
- 28 days’ paid holiday, calculated pro rata and inclusive of bank holidays.
- Company pension scheme.
- Free onsite parking.
- Supportive small-team environment where staff are valued.
- Free learning and development opportunities.
- Opportunity to undertake RQF qualifications with a Skills for Care-endorsed provider.
- Free enhanced DBS check.
- Paid training.
How to Apply
Employment is subject to satisfactory references, enhanced DBS clearance, right-to-work checks and completion of our safer-recruitment process.
Please clearly state whether you are applying for the:
- 20-hour Female Support Worker vacancy; or
- 18-hour Female Waking Night Support Worker vacancy.
Applicants seeking supplementary employment must provide sufficient information and documentation for us to confirm that the proposed employment complies with their visa conditions.
If you are caring, flexible and enthusiastic and would like to make a positive difference, we would love to hear from you.
Please call us or email your CV for further information or to apply.
Join us at The Conifers and become a valued member of our supportive team, helping to enrich the lives of the people we support every day.
Job types: Part-time, temporary, fixed-term maternity cover
Contract length: Approximately 9–12 months, with the possibility of extension
Pay: £12.82 per hour
Work location: In person
Pay: £12.82 per hour
Benefits:
- Free parking
- On-site parking
Work Location: In person
