Support Worker – Adults with Learning Disabilities & Autism
Company: Homes Plus Care Ltd (Progressive Mews)
Location: Colchester, Essex (Single fixed location | Free parking & on local bus routes)
Job Type: Full-Time, Permanent (30–45 hours per week)
Shift Pattern: 08:00 to 23:00 shifts | Every other weekend required | Sleep-in shifts available as paid overtime
Pay Rates:
- Hourly Rate: £12.95 per hour (Double time over Christmas & New Year)
- Sleep-In Allowance: £70.85 per sleep-in shift
Essential Application Criteria:
- Driving Licence: Full UK Driving Licence required.
- Sponsorship: We do not offer visa sponsorship. Applicants must hold existing right to work in the UK.
The Opportunity
Are you a kind, energetic, and compassionate person who wants a job that is genuinely fun, rewarding, and varied?
Homes Plus Care Ltd (Progressive Mews) is a dedicated care provider based in Colchester. We support adults living with learning disabilities and autism inside their own flats and shared accommodation. Our goal is simple: to empower our tenants to build confidence, gain independence, and live vibrant, fulfilling lives on their own terms.
No prior care experience is necessary! While a background in care is always welcome, our main priority is finding people with the right heart, values, and positive attitude. We provide a full paid induction, ongoing coaching, and structured mentoring to give you all the skills you need to succeed.
What You’ll Be Doing
Every day in this role is different! You will provide a balance of practical assistance, emotional encouragement, and active social support to our tenants:
- Fun & Community Activities: Join tenants in arts and crafts, dancing, music, football, bowling, cinema trips, and day outings to locations like Thorpe Park, the beach, Harry Potter World, and London.
- Independent Living Skills: Help tenants cook, plan meals, complete household chores, do food shopping, and tend to the garden.
- Health & Personal Care: Support tenants to attend medical appointments, give medication as required, and assist with personal hygiene where needed.
- Emotional Support & Positive Behavior: Provide emotional comfort and utilize de-escalation techniques during times when tenants display behaviors that challenge.
- Daily Documentation: Complete clear daily reports, handover notes, and individual care records.
Requirements
- Driving Licence: Valid UK Driving Licence (required for transporting tenants to outings and community appointments).
- Work Authorisation: Permanent legal right to work in the UK without visa sponsorship.
- Personal Qualities: Compassionate, flexible, reliable, and possessing strong English communication skills.
- Shift Availability: Able to work shifts spanning between 08:00 and 23:00, commit to working every second weekend, and participate in overnight sleep-ins.
- Care Experience (Optional): Prior experience in supported living or knowledge of safeguarding/first aid is desirable, but full training will be provided to complete beginners.
What We Offer
- Great Perks & Extras: Yearly pay reviews, annual performance bonuses/vouchers, employee seasonal gifts, and double pay over Christmas and New Year.
- Health & Wellbeing: Company pension scheme, free flu jabs, health/wellbeing support programs, and casual dress.
- Single Work Location: Work from one fixed, warm community location in Colchester—no driving between multiple home visits throughout the day! Free parking on-site and easy bus access.
- Overtime Opportunities: Increase your earnings via £70.85 sleep-in shifts and additional overtime hours.
Strategic Recruitment Tips for Colchester Care Roles:
- The "Fun Days Out" Magnet: Support worker job ads can often sound clinical or tiring. Visually highlighting "Thorpe Park, beach days, and Harry Potter World" transforms candidate perception, attracting active, social individuals who want a energetic role rather than traditional nursing home shift work.
- Clear Shift Boundaries: Outlining the exact window (08:00 to 23:00) and sleep-in rates (£70.85) upfront sets transparent expectations, preventing drop-offs during the interview stage over shift timing misunderstandings.
- Sponsorship Safeguard: Clearly flagging that visa sponsorship is unavailable saves your administrative team time filtering out international applicants.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: £12.95 per hour
Benefits:
- Casual dress
- Company pension
- Free parking
Experience:
Language:
- Fluent English (required)
Licence/Certification:
- Full UK Driving License? (Required) (required)
Work authorisation:
- United Kingdom (required)
Work Location: In person
