Location: Dumfries DG2
Job Type: Permanent
BENEFITS AND PAY
- Weekdays and Weekends: £18.00 per hour
- Bank holidays: £30.00 per hour
- 5.6 weeks paid annual leave
- Up to 2 weeks paid sick leave per annum
- Full induction, ongoing specialist training, and regular supervision.
- Permanent contract.
ABOUT THE ROLE
We are recruiting a vibrant Support Worker for our 11-year-old male client with cerebral palsy and epilepsy. He is an engaging, sociable young person who loves being part of family life.
This is a genuinely rewarding role supporting a young person who has a fantastic network of family, therapists, and professionals around him. You will be part of a well-supported team, working closely with his family as well as his multi-disciplinary therapy team.
The role is built around his school day, with the core hours being before and after-school during term time. During school holidays, shifts increase to fuller daytime hours, agreed with the family in advance.
SHIFT PATTERNS AND HOURS
27.5 hours per week (term time), with hours increasing during school holidays.
The role is structured around the school day:
- Morning shift: 7:30–9:00 Monday to Friday (1.5 hours)
- After-school shift: 15:00–19:00 Monday to Friday (4 hours)
- Hours increase to fuller daytime shifts during school holidays, agreed in advance.
- Weekend support is rarely required and only on a needs-led basis.
ABOUT OUR CLIENT
Our client is an 11-year-old boy with a big personality who communicates through his eye gaze device, vocalisations, and very expressive body language . He is very good at making himself understood and knows exactly what he wants! He needs full support with personal care, all transfers (using a track hoist), and feeding
He loves playing games, sensory play, spending time with his family, and trips out in the car. He enjoys people watching when out shopping, interacting with people he knows, and has a great interest in cooking and food prep. He also enjoys adapted cycling, both at school and at weekends, and has a wonderful creative side, he loves decorating cakes. He is a young person who knows his own mind, likes his routine, and appreciates people who take the time to get to know him and communicate with him properly.
He has a full team of therapists and an educational psychologist supporting him, and you will work alongside these professionals as part of his wider support network.
He thrives with routine and consistency. He can find transitions and unexpected changes difficult, and can experience anxiety when separated from people he is close to. Loud noises, too many choices, and busy environments can feel overwhelming for him. A calm, patient, and consistent approach is essential, as is a genuine willingness to take the time to build a relationship with him at his pace.
YOUR MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES WILL INCLUDE
- Assisting with the morning routine, getting our client up, washed, dressed, and ready for school.
- Supporting the after-school routine through to bedtime, including personal care and feeding.
- All transfers using a track hoist (full training provided).
- Driving our client in his wheelchair-adapted vehicle (automatic transmission).
- Accompanying our client in the community and to appointments as required.
- Working collaboratively with therapists and implementing agreed rehabilitation strategies and techniques.
- Attending relevant meetings and advocating for our client where appropriate.
- Completing accurate care records and daily notes.
- Liaising with the family, school, and wider care team.
- Carrying out domestic tasks within our client's home as appropriate.
CANDIDATE REQUIREMENTS
Non-negotiable
- Full UK driving licence, you will be required to drive our client's automatic WAV.
- Physical fitness: this role involves hoisting, pushing and manoeuvring an attendant-propelled wheelchair, and working at floor level with a child.
- Excellent spoken and written English, required for communication with the family, school, and therapy team, and for completing care records.
- Ability and willingness to work flexibly across term time and school holidays.
- A kind, patient, and consistent approach is essential given our client's separation anxiety and decision-making challenges.
- Respectful of the family home and professional in conduct at all times.
- This post is subject to an enhanced PVG (Protecting Vulnerable Groups) scheme check through Disclosure Scotland, including a check against the children's barred list. This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.
- Right to work in the UK (full time, without sponsorship).
Preferred
- Experience working with a child or young person with cerebral palsy or a similar physical disability
- Experience working in a client's own home (1:1 community care)
- Experience working alongside therapists and/or attending MDT meetings
- Familiarity with eye gaze communication devices or AAC (augmentative and alternative communication)
Application Process:
We invite interested candidates to apply. We are committed to inclusive and respectful recruitment. Shortlisted candidates may have an informal meeting with the client in a relaxed setting to ensure compatibility.
Note: We adhere to SAFE hiring practices, ensuring the welfare of vulnerable individuals. An enhanced criminal record check will be conducted.
Job Type: Permanent
Pay: £18.00-£30.00 per hour
Application question(s):
- Will you be able to provide references for all of your previous care roles? (if not why not?)
- Where do you currently live? (we cannot reveal the client's address but can provide you with the drive time )
- Have you previously been dismissed from a role in health and social care?
- Please can you provide the best email to contact you on?
- Are you flexible to cover longer hours during school holidays?
Experience:
- supporting someone within their own home: 1 year (preferred)
- living in the UK: 7 years (required)
Licence/Certification:
- right to work full time in the UK without sponsorship (required)
- UK driving license & access to a car (required)
Work Location: In person
