Support Worker, Learning Disability Services

If you are patient, kind and caring you could make a positive difference as a support worker. You don’t need any experience, just a desire to make a difference. We will train you on the job, it won’t cost you a penny and there are lots of opportunities to progress.

Do you want to take advantage of all the benefits you will get for working for a large company? Are you looking for a new challenge that gives you real job satisfaction doing something that will make a real difference to someone’s life?

Are you ready for the challenge of working at a Respite Service for people with Learning Disabilities?

At times it can be challenging but supporting someone with a learning disability is an amazing job. You will watch them as they grow in confidence, or as they overcome a fear, or achieve a goal - it is so incredible to watch, and to be the person that supports them to do that is remarkable.

You don’t need to have previous experience but you do need to be passionate about your new role here and not be afraid of a challenge. Whether you have previously worked with people with Learning Disabilities or are looking for a complete change of career, we believe that everyone has something to offer the people we support. Life skills, the right attitude and a genuine desire to help people to improve their lives are the most important characteristics of a Support Worker.

You will laugh, joke, listen and make lasting memories with our guests as you get to know them. You will be a great communicator, and you'll enjoy working in a fun, well supported team setting that feels like a family, with people from all walks of life. You'll cherish the rewarding moments you have with our guests each and every day.

Your core values are what interests us about you the most. We can support you to learn the necessary skills as you will receive excellent training opportunities support and mentoring in your role. As an employee of East Sussex County council you will benefit from a thorough induction and supervision as part of our commitment to you, together with a generous annual leave package and opportunity to join the pension scheme.

This rewarding role will involve supporting guests both emotionally and physically in their daily lives and at times when they may be distressed or display behaviours that challenge. No two days are the same.

We are looking for candidates who have:

• NVQ/QCF Level 2 in Care or other similar relevant qualification or are willing to work towards the Care certificate.
• To provide practical assistance for example in relation to personal tasks
• To give personal and emotional support to promote clients’ health and well-being, keeping people safe from harm and protecting their possessions.
• To enable people to lead full lives by providing support and assistance in leisure activities, both within services and in the local area.
• To encourage people to provide feedback about the support they receive to help services to improve.
• At interview we will also have a short written question to answer.

Hours of work: 32 hours on a six week rolling rota, this consists of late and early shifts.

The starting hourly rate including an enhancement for weekend working is £11.83.

For an informal discussion, please contact Emma Beadle/Carly Fellows - Team Leaders or Natalie Gaymer - Service Manager on 01424 723020.

If you wish to complete an offline application please could you send the completed form (which is attached to this advert) to recruitmentsupport@eastsussex.gov.uk

What our staff think of us:

“It has been a pleasure and a challenge supporting our guests, their care and support has been paramount in my working ethic which I believe is at the heart of the Greenwood ethos”

“It is with great honour and sincere gratitude working at Greenwood and have thoroughly enjoyed the working environment, friendly staff and professional atmosphere. The management, supervision, direction, guidance and most of all experience in this working environment has been a great source of personal and professional development. I would like to thank you for the great opportunities that have been extended to me while I have been here."

Benefits

We offer a diverse range of benefits to help and support you during your employment. More information can be found on our benefits page.

#Ask me if this can be an apprenticeship

Vocational Training through Apprenticeships is now available to our staff, ranging from entry level to degree level qualifications. You can talk to the hiring manager and the apprenticeship team about what qualifications would be relevant to you and this job role, and if it is possible to support you in apprenticeship training.

This post is subject to an Enhanced DBS check or Enhanced check for Regulated Activity with the Disclosure & Barring Services (previously the Criminal Records Bureau). For further information about what is required in this process please go to http://www.gov.uk/disclosure-barring-service-check. Please note that we require evidence of an overseas police check if you have lived or worked abroad.

Your starting salary will be pro rata if the above position is part-time or term-time only.

Work Permits: we may be able to obtain a Work Permit for this post but this is subject to meeting the requirements of the UK Border Agency’s Points-based Immigration System.

Due to the restrictions we cannot guarantee that individuals that meet the requirements of the Points-based Immigration System will be issued with clearance to obtain work permits.

If you require sponsorship to work in the UK please let the hiring manager know this in your application so we can check eligibility for sponsorship for the role.

If you require any reasonable adjustments, due to disability, to enable you to participate fully in the process please contact the hiring manager on the contact details above.

Reasonable adjustments include things like an offline application form. If you would like to discuss your requirements further, please get in touch.

East Sussex County Council is an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from all suitable candidates, regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, disability or age. All applications are treated on merit.

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