DESCRIPTION
SUPPORT WORKER
Purpose of the Role
Support Workers provide compassionate, person‑centred support to adults with learning disabilities, autism, mental health needs and other support requirements within their own homes. You help people live safely, meaningfully and independently by supporting daily living tasks, personal care, medication (once trained), community participation, and building positive relationships with families and peers. As a keyworker, you promote choice, dignity, rights and inclusion, while communicating effectively and keeping high‑quality records.
What You Do (Core Responsibilities)
People We Support & Keyworking – Build respectful, trusting relationships and promote independence, communication, and meaningful choice. Support Workers follow existing MCA decisions and ensure consent is sought at every opportunity. You are expected to report any restriction that does not have an MCA decision or best‑interest process in place. As a keyworker, you help individuals shape their goals, preferences, and outcomes with compassion and clarity.
Medication & Personal Care – Support safe medication practices in line with training and policy (ordering, administration, recording, and stock checks as delegated). Deliver personal care with dignity, privacy, and respect—supporting independence wherever possible.
Daily Operations & Communication – Follow the house diary, rota, communication book and escalation procedures. Report safeguarding concerns immediately and correctly. Support Workers do not submit safeguarding paperwork but play a crucial role in spotting, recording and escalating concerns. Maintain professional boundaries at all times, including no social media contact, no out‑of‑work relationships, and no accepting gifts; report any boundary concerns to Advanced/Senior staff.
Quality, Compliance & CQC – Work to Independent Waves standards and policies, safeguarding, GDPR, and health and safety requirements. Contribute to actions in the house Quality Action Plan/Service Improvement Plan as directed.
Community Inclusion, Travel & Independence – Support people to engage in meaningful activity and develop friendships. Encourage the use of public transport where appropriate, promoting independence and confidence. Follow risk assessments for all community activities.
Emergency Response & Business Continuity – Follow all emergency procedures (fire, illness, staffing issues, environmental safety). Report any concerns promptly. Support Workers follow the Business Continuity Plan as directed by Advanced and Senior staff.
Finance (as delegated) – Support with individual and household finances where allocated, keeping accurate receipts and records and reporting irregularities.
Scope & Decision‑Making
Decisions relate to day‑to‑day support within care plans and risk assessments. Escalate changes in need, safeguarding concerns, medication errors, staffing issues, or environmental risks to Advanced/Senior or management.
Essential Criteria
Compassion, good communication, reliability, willingness to learn; good digital recording; care experience helpful but not required; DBS and Right to Work required.
Desirable
Experience in supported living or care; NVQ/QCF Level 2+; autism/LD/mental health experience; driving licence.
Performance & Development
Structured induction and shadowing; competency sign‑off; regular supervision; contribution to the house Quality Action Plan/Service Improvement Plan.
On‑Call & Sleep‑Ins
Sleep‑ins are required as per rota. On‑call is not typical for this role.
Values & Culture
We act with openness, honesty, inclusion, and respect supporting people to live meaningful, independent lives.
Equal Opportunities & Adjustments
We welcome applications from all backgrounds and provide reasonable adjustments throughout recruitment and employment.
Flexibility Clause
Duties may reasonably vary with service needs and the level of the role; substantive changes will be discussed and documented.
Pay: From £13.60 per hour
Benefits:
- Company pension
- Employee discount
- Health & wellbeing programme
Work Location: In person
