At a Glance
- Tasks: Support disabled children and adults in a rewarding and dynamic environment.
- Company: Join the passionate team at Birtenshaw Group, dedicated to transforming lives.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, paid training, 30 days holiday, and employee recognition schemes.
- Other info: Full training provided, with support for NVQ qualifications.
- Why this job: Make a real difference while enjoying flexible hours and career growth opportunities.
- Qualifications: No specific qualifications needed; just a caring attitude and willingness to learn.
Salary: £26,682 – £27,129 per annum (£13.83 – £14.06 per hour), with the opportunity to earn more depending on the responsibilities you take on.
Hours: 37 per week on a rota basis, including weekends and bank holidays, with occasional sleep-ins (additional payment made). Night shift rotas are also available on request (10.5, 21, 31.5 or 42 hours per week).
Role Overview
The Birtenshaw Group is recruiting Support Workers who are passionate about supporting disabled children and adults. You will be working in a team based in either one of our Children's Homes or Adults Supported Tenancies, supporting up to 4 children or adults with Autistic Spectrum Condition, learning disabilities and/or complex health needs. We aim to transform the lives of the children and young adults we support through our commitment to excellence. The work is challenging but, as no two days are ever the same, it is rewarding and enjoyable.
Flexible Options Within This Role
- Driving responsibilities: If you hold a full, manual UK (Category B) driving licence and have demonstrable driving experience, you can take on driving duties using company-owned vehicles (up to nine seats), helping the people we support to access the local community, medical appointments, family contact and activities. This carries an additional £1,000 per annum, plus the opportunity for a further £1,625 per annum for additional responsibilities pro rata. Driving is not a requirement for the role.
- Night shifts: Night rota positions are available, with the opportunity for an additional £1,575 per annum for additional responsibilities pro rata. If appointed to a night rota, you will be required to work day shifts until you've successfully completed your probationary period.
- Additional responsibilities: Across all rotas, there's the opportunity to earn up to an extra £2,200 per annum pro rata for taking on additional responsibilities.
Training
Staff receive all the training they need to fulfil their role. Training takes place on weekdays, and staff must be available to attend introductory mandatory training and refresher training as required. Training dates are issued in advance. Staff without an equivalent or higher qualification are required to complete a relevant NVQ within two years of starting. This is fully funded by Birtenshaw, with full support given to complete it.
Why Work For Birtenshaw?
The Birtenshaw staff team is highly committed and dedicated to transforming the lives of disabled people. You'll be working alongside colleagues who are resilient, energetic, caring, and who enjoy their roles. There are clear career opportunities for advancement within a growing organisation that puts service users at the heart of everything we do.
Benefits
- Competitive pay scale with opportunities for additional overtime
- Increment on completion of probationary period (6 months)
- Additional payments for additional responsibilities, up to £2,000 per annum
- Enhanced overtime rate
- Enhanced pay over Christmas and New Year
- 30 days holiday including public holidays
- Paid-for training and qualifications
- Staff recognition schemes — employee of the month, refer a friend, long service, plus nominations for national awards
- Staff Council — a forum where staff from all areas of the organisation can suggest and initiate change
- Salary protection scheme in the event of longer-term absence due to illness or injury (contracted staff)
- Employee Assistance Programme — 24-hour advice line covering life, work, money and family issues, plus 24-hour medical support including online GP appointments, physiotherapy, mental health support and counselling (contracted staff)
- Discount schemes for local and national shops and services
- Free enhanced DBS check
All employees are required to commit to implementing Birtenshaw Group policies and procedures to ensure the health, safety and general welfare of children and adults. The Birtenshaw Group is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all service users and expects all employees to share and uphold this commitment.
This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 — this means any potential employee is still required to disclose what would normally be considered a "spent" conviction. An enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check is required. Information provided by you or the DBS will be dealt with in confidence and in accordance with the DBS Code of Practice, which can be viewed via the DBS website.
All offers of employment are made subject to safeguarding/pre-employment checks, including satisfactory references, pre-employment medical, proof of right to work in the UK in accordance with the Asylum and Immigration Act 1996, and other pre-employment checks where applicable.
Closing Date: 07/09/2026 at 9am
Please note that we are unable to provide sponsorship at this time.
Support Worker employer: Birtenshaw
Birtenshaw Group is an exceptional employer, dedicated to fostering a supportive and inclusive work environment for Learning Support Assistants. Located in Merseyside, the school offers comprehensive training and development opportunities, ensuring that employees can grow their skills while making a meaningful impact on the lives of students with autism. With a strong emphasis on teamwork and collaboration, Birtenshaw promotes a culture where every staff member is valued and empowered to contribute to the educational journey of their pupils.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Support Worker
✨Dive into Local Community Groups
Social work thrives on community connections, so get involved in local groups or forums specific to your interests. Whether it’s volunteering at local shelters or joining community action boards, these are great ways to boost your visibility and make direct contacts that could lead to opportunities like the one at Birtenshaw.
✨Attend Social Work Events and Workshops
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences in social work. These events are fantastic for meeting professionals in the field, learning about emerging trends, and spotting job openings. Plus, you might just bump into someone from Birtenshaw!
✨Showcase Your Passion and Expertise
Use platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn to share your journey and insights into the social work sector. Whether it’s writing about your experiences or sharing relevant articles, this helps to establish you as an engaged professional. Potential employers, like Birtenshaw, will notice your enthusiasm!
✨Leverage Your Network
Don’t hesitate to reach out to professors, mentors, or even past colleagues who are in social work. They might have inside knowledge about openings at Birtenshaw or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.
We think you need these skills to ace Support Worker
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let us see your passion for social work shine through! Talk about the experiences that made you want to pursue this career—whether it’s volunteering, personal experiences, or academic projects. We want to know why this field matters to you.
Emphasise Relevant Qualifications:Make sure your CV highlights any relevant qualifications, like degrees in social work or certifications like a DBS check. If you've done any workshops or training, don’t forget to include those as well. We're keen to see your commitment to your professional development!
Detail Your Experience with Clients:Since this is a hands-on field, detailing any direct experience you have with clients is crucial. Whether it's internships, volunteer roles, or previous jobs, highlight those experiences in your CV to show us you've got the practical skills necessary for the job!
Tailor Your Application to Birtenshaw:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Birtenshaw! Research our mission and values, and refer to them in your cover letter. This shows us that you understand our work and are genuinely interested in being a part of our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Birtenshaw
✨Understanding the Role of Empathy
In social work, understanding and demonstrating empathy is key. Be prepared to share personal experiences or scenarios where you effectively showed compassion and support. This helps show that you genuinely care about the well-being of others, which is crucial in social work.
✨Demonstrating Knowledge of Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with the frameworks and models used in social work, such as the Strengths-Based Approach or the Ecological Perspective. Be ready to discuss how these frameworks apply to your work, especially if you can tie them into real-world examples or case studies you've encountered.
✨Showcasing Your Multi-Disciplinary Skills
In a full-time social work role, you'll often collaborate with healthcare professionals, educators, and law enforcement. Be prepared to describe your teamwork experiences and how you've effectively communicated with other disciplines to achieve the best outcomes for clients.
✨Preparing for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical social work situations, such as dealing with a crisis or managing a complex case. Think through your thought process for these scenarios beforehand, considering how you'd assess the situation and what steps you'd take, as this demonstrates your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
