At a Glance
- Tasks: Support older people in their homes with practical and emotional assistance.
- Company: Join Age UK Lancashire, a leading charity making a difference in the community.
- Benefits: Earn £12.80 per hour, enjoy flexible hours, and receive 25 days annual leave.
- Other info: Full training provided, with opportunities for personal growth and development.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the lives of older adults while gaining valuable experience.
- Qualifications: Caring attitude, good communication skills, and a valid driving licence required.
The predicted salary is between 12.8 - 12.8 £ per hour.
Salary: £12.80 per hour
Hours: Flexible hours to suit between Monday to Friday 9am‑5pm. Average working hours are between 16 and 20 per week.
Contract: Permanent Contract
Would you like to make a difference in the lives of older people? Our Support At Home service works with customers in their own homes, it’s a rewarding role and through practical and emotional support, assists older people in remaining active, independent, and connected to their local community.
About us: Age UK Lancashire are a leading Charity, proudly delivering services to over 20,000 older people across Lancashire each year, we are dedicated to supporting and empowering older adults to live fulfilling and independent lives. We are committed to providing innovative and impactful services that address the evolving needs of older people in our community.
About the role: As a Support at Home Worker, you will provide regular visits to your own customers in their homes, providing a service that meets the needs of the customer, whether that is through cleaning, laundry, shopping, collecting prescriptions or providing emotional support. We are looking for someone who is caring, compassionate, reliable and has a genuine interest in the wellbeing of older people. You need to be self‑motivated and committed, with a flexible attitude and good organisation skills.
Flexible working hours are available, with the option of increasing working hours depending on the need in your geographical location. The service operates between 9am – 5pm, Monday to Friday, with no Bank Holiday, evening, or weekend working. While this is a ‘flexible zero hours’ contract, we are looking for someone who can commit to a minimum availability of 16 hours per week which provides continuity and consistency for the people who need us. We will aim to provide you with over 16 hours work per week where possible.
As the Support at Home Worker you will:
- Deliver a high quality, punctual, reliable and professional service to our customers in their own homes.
- Undertake a range of tasks as required by the customer to include: Day to day household cleaning including hoovering, dusting, laundry, changing bed linen etc.
- Shopping, on behalf of, or assisting the customer.
- Companionship including walks and social activities, respite for carers, and signposting support.
- Establish and maintain positive and professional relationships with customers, their families, and carers, ensuring all communication is clear and professional.
- To maximise the reach of Support at Home service, you will work with the coordinator to develop and grow your local customer base.
- Support the team by providing holiday cover when available.
- You may be required to handle cash for customers shopping in line with Age UK Lancashire’s Support at Home Service procedures.
To be successful in this role you will have:
- A caring and empathetic attitude with a focus on helping people.
- Ability to lone work / work on own initiative.
- Ability to maintain professional boundaries.
- Excellent communication and organisational skills.
- Digital skills – including the use of a smart phone, emails.
- Able to undertake general physical activity in people’s homes (often over 2 floors) for example hoovering, changing bedding and carrying shopping.
- Valid driving licence and use of a car for business purpose.
What’s in it for you?
- Full training and comprehensive induction to ensure you have the support you need to succeed and thrive in your new role.
- A friendly and inclusive culture.
- 25 days annual leave increasing to 30 with length of service + bank holidays.
- Access to Employee Assistance Programme.
- Financial wellbeing and planning support.
- Staff discount card for hundreds of High Street shops and online services.
- Travel expenses will be paid for all journeys required for work, excluding travel from home to base.
DBS: This post is eligible for an enhanced DBS Check, and all the associated costs will be met by the employee.
Equality & Diversity: Age UK Lancashire are committed to ensuring that all job applicants and members of staff are treated equally, without discrimination because of gender, sexual orientation, marital or civil partner status, gender reassignment, race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief, disability or age.
Support at Home Worker, Chorley & South Ribble employer: Age Uk
Age UK is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and inclusive work environment in Sunderland where you can make a real difference in the lives of older people. With competitive salaries, generous annual leave, and a range of wellbeing initiatives, employees are encouraged to grow and thrive both personally and professionally. Join our dedicated team and enjoy unique benefits like the Blue Light Card scheme and recognition awards, all while contributing to a meaningful cause.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Support at Home Worker, Chorley & South Ribble
✨Get Involved in Community Events
Dive headfirst into community events and social work fairs in your area. These are great opportunities to connect with potential employers like Age Uk, grab some insider info, and showcase your passion for social work. Plus, meeting people face-to-face can really make you stand out!
✨Join Social Work Networks
Tap into social work networks and online communities, like local charities and organisations. Engaging in discussions or volunteering can help you build a strong reputation and could lead to part-time roles just like the one at Age Uk. The connections you make could be the key to landing your next opportunity!
✨Make Your Passion Shine
When approaching part-time roles, be sure to highlight your passion for social issues in conversations and informal chats. Bring your experiences to life through storytelling – this can resonate well with organisations looking for someone who genuinely cares about making a difference!
✨Keep an Eye on Local Job Boards
Part-time roles in social work might not always be advertised in the usual places. Keep checking local job boards or community centres for openings, and don't hesitate to apply directly through Age Uk's website – we love seeing proactive candidates who take the initiative!
We think you need these skills to ace Support at Home Worker, Chorley & South Ribble
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let your passion for social work shine through. Talk about why you're drawn to this field and how you've been involved in community service or support roles. We want to see your commitment and the heart you bring to the table!
Highlight Relevant Experience:Make sure to spotlight any hands-on experience you have! Whether it's internships, volunteering, or relevant coursework, detail how your past experiences relate to the role at Age Uk. We love seeing candidates who have practical skills and a real understanding of social issues.
Certificates and Training Matter:If you've got any relevant certifications or training specific to social work (like safeguarding training or counselling qualifications), don’t forget to include these in your CV! These details can set you apart and show us you’re serious about your professional development.
Be Flexible with Your Availability:Since this is a part-time role, explain your availability clearly in your application. Let us know when you can start and how many hours you’re looking to work. Being upfront about your schedule will help us see how you fit into the team at Age Uk.
How to prepare for a job interview at Age Uk
✨Show Your Passion for Helping Others
In social work, it's all about your commitment to making a difference. Be ready to share specific experiences that highlight your passion for helping others, whether that's through volunteering, placements, or personal stories. We want to see that genuine drive during your chat with Age Uk.
✨Know Your Social Work Theories
You might be quizzed on social work theories or models that inform your practice, like the person-in-environment approach. Brush up on these concepts and be prepared to discuss how you'd apply them in a practical setting. This could be a game changer in your interview for a Support at Home Worker, Chorley & South Ribble at Age Uk.
✨Flexibility and Availability are Key
As you're going for a part-time role, highlight your flexibility and how it would fit with the organisation's needs. Have examples ready that demonstrate your availability for various shifts or urgent situations—that's just gold for a social work role.
✨Prepare for a Situation-Based Discussion
Expect scenario-based questions where you'll need to demonstrate how you'd handle specific situations with clients or stakeholders. Think of a couple of real-life scenarios you've encountered and articulate your thought process. This will show Age Uk that you're ready to hit the ground running in the Support at Home Worker, Chorley & South Ribble role.
