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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Support individuals with daily care, personal goals, and social activities.
- Company: Join SeeAbility, a leading charity supporting people with disabilities since 1799.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible hours, comprehensive training, and up to 36 days holiday.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while working in a supportive team environment.
- Qualifications: Must have experience in autism, mental health, or similar fields and a valid UK driving license.
- Other info: This is a 9-month maternity cover role based in Hedge End, Southampton.
Join Our Team as a Support Worker
Location: Hedge End, Southampton
Salary: £12.30 per hour (£23,985 pro-rata) plus benefits. Additional £50 per sleep-in shift.
Hours: 37.5 hours per week, shifts vary between 7:00 am and 10:00 pm, Monday to Sunday (on a shift rota basis)
Contract: Fixed Term, 9 months maternity cover.
Driving Requirement: A valid full UK manual driving license is essential.
Right to Work: Applicants must have the right to work in the UK. Unfortunately, we are unable to offer any skilled worker visas.
Essential Criteria
To be considered for this position, you will demonstrate exposure to two of the following areas of expertise:
- Autism and learning disabilities
- Mental health
- Visual impairment
- Epilepsy
- British Sign Language
About You
Are you someone who truly enjoys making a difference in others' lives? Do you have a calm, caring, and resilient nature that helps you thrive in challenging situations? If so, we want to hear from you!
We’re looking for individuals to join our colleague team who can stay calm under pressure, who are enthusiastic and take a proactive approach, and handle behaviours that others might find challenging. If you have a manual UK driving license and are comfortable driving alternative vehicles, you’re exactly who we’re looking for.
What will you be doing?
As a Support Worker, you’ll be more than just their support; you’ll be a key part of someone’s journey towards living their best life. Here’s what you’ll be doing:
- Daily Care & Support: Helping with personal care, meal preparation, medication, and other daily tasks.
- Building Relationships: Getting to know the people you support, understanding their needs, and helping them live life on their own terms.
- Empowering Independence: Assisting with personal goals, from daily activities to long-term aspirations, and encouraging creative exploration.
- Social Engagement: Supporting activities like holidays, social events, and hobbies, ensuring everyone could enjoy what they love doing.
- Respect & Dignity: Ensuring that the individuals and their families are treated with the utmost respect, dignity, and equality.
Who you will be Supporting?
At Hampshire Support Living Service we support 12 adults with a range of disabilities including learning disabilities, epilepsy, mental health, physical disability, autism, visual impairment and British Sign Language use.
People at Southampton homes are a very active group who spend a lot of time getting out for walks, bike riding and swimming. We love engaging with the local community by visiting churches and discovering old buildings. We also enjoy funny activities such as bowling, cinema and theatre.
As a support worker your contribution will be invaluable. You’ll work as a team to ensure outstanding support in line with our vision and best centred care. If you are looking to make a real difference, Hampshire Support Living Service is the place for you!
Our Benefits
Why work for us? At SeeAbility, we value your growth and well-being just as much as the support you provide, we can offer you:
- Comprehensive Training: Start with an extensive induction and continue developing your skills with face-to-face training, e-learning, and ongoing support.
- Career Progression: We support your ambitions, offering opportunities to achieve professional qualifications (Care Certificate, QCF levels 2-5).
- Recognition & Rewards: From excellence awards to long service recognition, your hard work won’t go unnoticed.
- Work-Life Balance: Enjoy up to 36 days of holiday with long service, flexible working options, and time off for life events.
- Financial Benefits: Discounts, cashback, pension schemes, and more, to help your money go further.
- Wellbeing Support: Access to a 24/7 employee assistance program, life assurance and sick pay.
- Refer a Friend: Receive £600 (Support Workers to Deputy only).
Registered as The Royal School for the Blind, SeeAbility is one of the oldest disability charities in the UK. This year we are celebrating our 225th anniversary, having pioneered specialist support across multiple generations since 1799! We specialise in supporting people who have learning disabilities, autism, complex needs, who may also have sight loss. Our support ranges from providing person-centred support across our many supported-living and residential care provisions. Furthermore, we provide specialist eye-care services to children and adults alike and assist people with a disability to find paid employment for the very first time.
SeeAbility provides the resources and expertise that make this possible, we support people to live ambitious lives and achieve things they never thought possible.
Safer Recruitment
SeeAbility is committed to safe and fair recruitment practices, safeguarding and protecting those who we support. It is a condition of employment that prospective employees will be subject to the following:
- A criminal background check through the Disclosure and Barring Service (where appropriate).
- Documentary evidence to confirm your identity, current address, and the right to work in the UK.
- Health Declaration to ensure that you are medically suitable for the role you have been offered.
- References will be obtained to ensure satisfactory evidence of conduct in current or previous employment concerned with the provision of services relating to (a) health or social care, or (b) children or vulnerable adults.
These checks will be carried out and completed prior to offering a date to start employment at SeeAbility’s expense.
Diversity
We actively seek to attract and retain talent from diverse backgrounds, recognising that a wide range of perspectives strengthen our teams. In exceptional circumstances, the role is exempt from the Equality Act 2010 (Schedule 9, Part 1) which provides for the application of a genuine occupational requirement. SeeAbility encourages applications from individuals of all identities, including those from underrepresented groups and those with a disability. We believe a diverse workforce drives innovation, creativity, and success. Everyone's unique experiences and views are appreciated; their opinion valued. We particularly welcome applications from those with a disability.
Female Support Worker - 9 months maternity cover in Southampton employer: SeeAbility
Contact Detail:
SeeAbility Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Female Support Worker - 9 months maternity cover in Southampton
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the specific needs of the individuals you'll be supporting. Research autism, learning disabilities, and mental health issues to understand how best to provide care and support.
✨Tip Number 2
Highlight any relevant experience you have in care roles or similar environments. If you've worked with individuals who have disabilities or mental health challenges, be ready to discuss these experiences in detail.
✨Tip Number 3
Demonstrate your ability to stay calm under pressure. Think of examples from your past where you've successfully managed challenging situations, as this is a key quality for a Support Worker.
✨Tip Number 4
Be prepared to discuss your approach to building relationships with those you support. Show that you understand the importance of respect, dignity, and empowering independence in your role.
We think you need these skills to ace Female Support Worker - 9 months maternity cover in Southampton
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in areas such as autism, mental health, or learning disabilities. Use specific examples to demonstrate how you've made a difference in others' lives.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that reflects your passion for supporting individuals with disabilities. Mention your calm and caring nature, and provide examples of how you've handled challenging situations in the past.
Highlight Your Driving Experience: Since a valid UK manual driving license is essential, be sure to mention your driving experience clearly in your application. If you have experience driving alternative vehicles, include that too.
Showcase Your Commitment to Diversity: Emphasise your understanding of and commitment to diversity and inclusion. Mention any experiences you have that demonstrate your ability to work with diverse groups and support individuals from various backgrounds.
How to prepare for a job interview at SeeAbility
✨Show Your Passion for Support Work
Make sure to express your genuine enthusiasm for making a difference in people's lives. Share personal stories or experiences that highlight your commitment to supporting individuals with disabilities, as this will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Demonstrate Relevant Experience
Prepare to discuss your exposure to the essential criteria mentioned in the job description, such as autism, mental health, or British Sign Language. Be specific about your experiences and how they have equipped you to handle the challenges of the role.
✨Emphasise Teamwork and Communication Skills
As a support worker, you'll be part of a team. Highlight your ability to work collaboratively and communicate effectively with both colleagues and the individuals you support. Provide examples of how you've successfully worked in a team setting in the past.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect to face scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving skills and ability to remain calm under pressure. Think of examples where you've handled challenging situations and be ready to explain your thought process and actions taken.
