Support Worker

We’re looking for reliable and motivated persons to join our professional team of Support Workers at our College Centre based in Bedford working 35 hours a week between for 45 weeks of the year on a 12 month fixed term contract. The successful applicant will work with people who have dual or single sensory impairment, learning disability, and associated physical disabilities.
As a Support Worker you will be working with young adults with complex communication needs and associated learning difficulties and physical disabilities, providing support to achieve Every Day Living outcomes. We use a total communication approach which includes a variety of methods such as BSL / Sign Supported English / On Body Signing / Intensive Interaction /Pictorial Symbols and Symbol Systems (PECS) / Hand Under Hand Exploration / Objects of Reference / Voice Output Communication Aids / Vocalisation, Facial Expression and Body Language
Our timetabled activities, both in house and accessed at other local facilities, ensure the interests of the individual can be explored and used to motivate while encouraging learning opportunities. We celebrate and promote the diverse nature of our learners, embracing fundamental British values, whilst encouraging a culture of mutual respect and tolerance. Sessions include Communication, Creative Arts, Therapies & Physical Activities, Lifeskills and Community Access. We also offer a wonderful range of enrichment activities such as visits to the cinema, the pantomime, PMLD theatre trips, museum ‘touch tours’ and river trips on a barge specifically adapted to suit those with disabilities
The duties are varied and no two days will be the same.
The people we support are individuals and they are all treated as such. As a general guide, you may support with personal care needs, as well as help to take part in a wide range of special interests and activities that support their health and wellbeing. Does this sound right for you?

The successful candidates duties can include:
To support individuals / groups within the home, centre and community.
To provide a customised, responsive and high quality service to people with multiple sensory impairments, physical and/or learning disabilities who use Sense services.
To deliver services which meet or exceed organisational expectations and standards.
Full job specification is attached below.

Your required skills and experiences:
You don’t need to have previous experience in this field, nor do you need qualifications – we’re happy to work with you to help you become an excellent support worker.
Knowledge of multi sensory impairments / learning difficulties is beneficial.
A full manual UK license and willingness to drive is desirable.
Knowledge of or qualification in British Sign Language or similar is beneficial ( BSL / Makaton etc.)
Full person specification is attached below.
Working at Sense gives you a wide range of benefits including:
24 days’ holiday + bank holidays; increasing with length of service
Free DBS Check
Free leadership and management development (such as our award winning Growing Stronger Leaders Together programme)
Free access to over 100 online and face to face training including the care certificate.
On-going development opportunities
Flexible working and family friendly policies
Employee referral scheme
Health and well-being support
Pension Scheme
Discount scheme About Sense
For everyone living with complex disabilities. For everyone who is deafblind. Sense is here to help people communicate and experience the world. We believe that no one, no matter how complex their disabilities, should be isolated, left out, or unable to fulfil their potential.
Working at Sense can be incredibly rewarding; we offer the opportunity to work in a large, diverse and successful charity where people can develop their skills, knowledge and careers in a supportive and flexible environment. In addition, we have excellent training and development, the opportunity for you to join our Group Personal Pension scheme and a generous annual leave entitlement. To apply
Please use the link below to complete your application. Managers will use your supporting statement to shortlist candidates for interview; in relation to the Personal Specification. Therefore, it is very important you complete this section thoroughly. We would recommend that you read the job description and person specification before applying.
Please note to avoid disappointment, we advise you to submit your application as soon as possible as we reserve the right to close posts at any time.
No agency submissions please: any submissions without prior authorisation from the Sense Recruitment Team will be treated as our own and as such no fee will be payable.
If you require any further assistance, please contact the Recruitment Team on 0121 415 6735 or recruitment@sense.org.uk
Sense is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of vulnerable children and adults and expects all employees to share this commitment. Therefore, all offers of employment, where appropriate, are subject to an enhanced DBS check.
For this role we particularly welcome applications from candidates from underrepresented ethnic minority backgrounds and candidates with disabilities. Sense is committed to equality of opportunity, and to promoting and celebrating the diversity of staff, volunteers and the people we work with. Everyone's contribution is valued and we ensure they're given the opportunity to realise their potential. We welcome applications from talented people from all sections of the community who share our values and belief that no one, no matter how complex their disabilities, should be isolated, left out, or unable to fulfil their potential. For more information please visit https://www.sense.org.uk/about-us/equality-and-diversity/