At a Glance
- Tasks: Support individuals with learning disabilities and mental health needs in their daily lives.
- Company: Advance, a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to transforming lives.
- Benefits: Flexible hours, paid holidays, training opportunities, and discounts on various services.
- Other info: Great opportunities for career progression and personal development.
- Why this job: Make a real difference every day while building a rewarding career in social care.
- Qualifications: Passion for helping others; no prior experience needed.
The predicted salary is between 26058 - 26058 £ per year.
Position: Support Worker – Maternity Cover up to 12 months
Location: Southend on Sea, SS2
Hours: 37.5 contracted hours per week (Mon-Sun, including weekends, days, evenings, holidays and sleep‑ins)
Salary: £26,058.65 per annum (£13.33 p/h)
About the Role:
Would you like to work somewhere where you get to make a real difference every day? Are you caring, fun and up for a challenge? Are you looking for a career where you get to make a difference to people’s lives? Do you love the idea of no two days being the same? If so, we want to hear from you.
Advance is looking for Support Workers in Southend on Sea to support customers with learning disabilities, autism, complex needs and mental health conditions to live the lives they choose. We offer great benefits, flexible working and all the training and support you need to kick start a rewarding career in Social Care.
Day to Day Activities:
- Assisting with personal care and hygiene (if required)
- Medication administration (if required)
- Support with preparing and cooking meals
- Support with attending medical appointments
- Support with social activities
- Support with independent skills
- Support with domestic duties such as cleaning and laundry
- Keeping accurate records and updating care plans as required
- Keeping up to date with your training
Advance is a great place to progress too; many of our Support Workers have gone on to be managers, and some have moved into roles in other areas of our business. Once you’re with us, there are genuine opportunities to learn, develop and build a long and rewarding career. Equally, there is the chance to work flexibly, fitting your role around your other life commitments.
About the candidate:
You don’t need to have previous experience working in care or support to be successful in this role. What matters are your values, your passion and determination to make a difference in the lives of people with autism or learning disabilities.
If you think a Support Worker role sounds right for you, you will need to be:
- Good at working on your own and within a team
- Excellent at communicating with people
- Able to complete quality support records
- Able to work every other weekend
- Able to work between 7am and 10:30pm
- Ability to follow a Support Plan and Risk Assessments and maintain customer records
- Need to be literate and numerate in English
- Willingness and ability to achieve the Care Certificate
About the organisation:
Advance is a national, not-for-profit provider of housing and support services for people with disabilities and mental health conditions. Our vision is to transform lives; providing the best quality housing and support services so that people can live the lives they choose, achieve their personal goals, feel valued and know their voices are heard.
We recognise that our people are our greatest asset and we’re passionate about making Advance a great place to work. We invest in our staff, providing the training and support you need to succeed in your role, gain industry-recognised qualifications and realise your career aspirations.
We are an equal opportunities employer who values its staff and the difference they make to their customers. There is no place for racism or discrimination of any kind in Advance. As an organisation, we will not tolerate it. We are firmly committed to recruiting the best colleagues regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation and to supporting customers from similarly diverse backgrounds.
All newly appointed staff receive an induction, during which they will learn about our PRIDE values, our expectations of how they should treat our customers and our commitments in relation to how they will be treated as a member of staff.
Benefits of working for Advance:
- Flexible hours to fit around you and the needs of our customers
- Paid mileage and travel time between appointments
- Paid holiday (from 25 days up to 30 days with long service in addition to bank holidays, pro rata for part time hours)
- Sector specific training is provided as part of induction plus opportunities for professional development
- Access to Perks at Work where you can obtain great discounts of cinema tickets, shopping vouchers and much more
- Long service awards payable in 5 year increments
- Golden Hello/refer a friend receive up to £500
- Cycle to work scheme
- Access to our Employee Assistance Programme
- Free DBS (Disclosures and Barring Service)
- Excellent opportunities to progress your career within Advance
- Enrolment in a pension scheme with matched contributions above the statutory minimum (if you work enough hours to meet the threshold for enrolment)
Advance is regulated by the Regulator of Social Housing and the Care Quality Commission and we are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of the people we support. You will be required to provide evidence of right to work. An enhanced DBS disclosure will be required for this role, the cost of which will be covered by Advance.
Safeguarding:
At Advance, Safeguarding is embedded in our organisational culture — it’s reflected in our values, our behaviours, and the way we work together. We believe that creating a safe environment is not just about compliance, but about cultivating trust, openness, and accountability at every level.
We believe that safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility. Whether you are a customer, family member, colleague or partner organisation, if you have any concerns about the welfare or safety of someone we support — or of any member of our team — please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
Together, we can ensure that Advance remains a safe, supportive and inclusive organisation for all. We value diversity and therefore welcome applications from everyone interested in working at Advance. We are a Disability Confident Leader.
Advance Housing & Support Ltd reserves the right to close this job once sufficient applications have been received.
Contact Details:
Advance Housing and Support Ltd Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Support Worker - Maternity Cover up to 12 months
✨Get Involved in Local Community Projects
One of the best ways to land a temporary role in social work is to dive headfirst into local community projects. Volunteer your time or skills at local charities or community centres to not only gain experience but also to connect with professionals in the field. They might just have some insider knowledge on temporary positions that pop up!
✨Engage with Social Work Networks
Join online forums and social media groups specifically for social workers. Platforms like Facebook or LinkedIn have dedicated groups where professionals share temporary job opportunities. Being an active member can help you stay in the loop and even get recommendations from those already in the field.
✨Attend Workshops and Seminars
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences related to social work in your area. These events aren't just great for learning; they're also hotbeds for networking! You never know who might be hiring or can point you towards a temporary position while you're soaking up new skills.
✨Apply Directly Through Our Website!
When you spot a role that piques your interest, especially for a temporary position, make sure to apply directly through our website! This not only shows your commitment to Advance Housing and Support Ltd, but also gives you an edge by putting your application right in front of the hiring team. Let’s get you moving on that path to your next opportunity!
We think you need these skills to ace Support Worker - Maternity Cover up to 12 months
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let's highlight why you're passionate about social work and how your values align with those of Advance Housing and Support Ltd. Share specific experiences where you made a difference, as this field thrives on genuine motivation and connection.
Demonstrate Relevant Experience:When listing your experience, focus on any internships, volunteer roles, or temporary positions you've had in social work or related fields. Those skills are gold! Think about situations where you helped individuals or communities, and don't forget to mention any relevant certifications, like safeguarding or mental health first aid.
Keep It Concise and Relevant:Remember, for a temporary role, hiring managers want to see how you fit in and can hit the ground running. Keep your CV clear and to the point, showcasing only the experience that really matters for the role at Advance Housing and Support Ltd. We recommend a two-page limit – make every word count!
Emphasise Flexibility and Adaptability:Considering this is a temporary position, it's vital to show you can adapt to new environments quickly. In your application, highlight any past experiences where you had to adjust to different teams or roles smoothly. This shows you understand the nature of temporary work and are ready for the challenge!
How to prepare for a job interview at Advance Housing and Support Ltd
✨Sharpen Your Empathy Skills
In social work, it's all about understanding and connecting with people from diverse backgrounds. Make sure to prepare some examples from your experience where you've demonstrated empathy and resilience. Practising active listening techniques can help you articulate your approach during the interview with Advance Housing and Support Ltd.
✨Know Your Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with key social work theories and frameworks, like the ecological systems theory or person-centred approaches. These concepts might pop up during your interview for the temporary Support Worker - Maternity Cover up to 12 months role at Advance Housing and Support Ltd, so it's good to have a couple of insights ready to share.
✨Highlight Flexibility and Adaptability
Since this is a temporary position, showcasing your flexibility is key. Be prepared to discuss past experiences where you quickly adapted to new environments or changing client needs, which is crucial in the dynamic world of social work.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect some scenario-based questions that test your decision-making skills and ethical judgement. Think about how you would handle specific challenges you might face in the field. Having a clear structure for your answers will show Advance Housing and Support Ltd that you can think critically and act effectively under pressure.
