Activities & Events Coordinator (Driver) – Empower Everyday

Activities Support Worker – coordinating activities at the service – must be a driver.

Location: Bethersden, Ashford

Rate: £13.03 per hour + £78.30 per sleep-in

Permanent | Full-time | 35 hours per week (rota-based)

Please note: We may be unable to support applications where Home Office visa restrictions prevent candidates from meeting the full contractual hours or requirements of the role.

‘Extraordinary Days, Every Day’

At CareTech, we are committed to delivering Extraordinary Days, Every Day through high-quality, person-centred care. Our focus is on empowering independence, building confidence and life skills, and supporting people to live fulfilling lives in environments that best suit their needs.

We are recruiting an Activities Support Worker to join our service in Bethersden, supporting adults with learning disabilities, autism, and mental health needs. Whether you’re new to care or experienced, this is an opportunity to build a rewarding, long-term career - and truly make a difference!

About the Service – Whiston House

Whiston House is a care home which provides care and support for up to 11 people with learning disabilities, autism and other complex needs. This Service is situated in a rural location with access to local shops and pubs.

The applicant will need to have the appropriate IT skills to manage the systems already in place, have a manual driver's license and be prepared to drive our minibus. The service users have requested someone who is kind, friendly, flexible, reliable, well organised and who will go the extra mile for them.

Providing arts and crafts experiences of their choice in house, also someone who is willing to take them to local activities, shows, cinema, bowling, garden centres, trips to places of interest, the seaside, restaurants and the local pubs. To stay on late and work weekends when required and conduct service user meetings and promote family/friends involvement.

The Role

• Deliver person-centred support in line with individual support plans.
• Assist with daily living skills and personal care where required.
• Promote independence, dignity, and wellbeing.
• Support activities, appointments, and community access.
• Maintain accurate records and work effectively as part of a team.
• Work a rota including evenings, weekends, bank holidays, and sleep-ins.
• Plan and organise daily, weekly, and monthly activities for service users.
• Develop a wide variety of activities to cater to the diverse interests of our service users, both within the service and in the community.
• Coordinate and facilitate special events such as birthday parties, holiday celebrations, and outings.
• Collaborate with other staff members to promote and provide opportunities for socialization and meaningful engagement.
• Maintain necessary documentation and records related to resident participation in activities.
• Continuously assess and evaluate the effectiveness of activities and adjust as needed.
• Maintain a clean and organized activity space.
• Support service users to attend appointments at other healthcare settings.
• Promote the image of the department, checking that notices and leaflets, newsletters are up to date & well presented.
• Ensure that all complaints, compliments, concerns, comments and suggestions are appropriately recorded, and where possible resolved within level of role or escalated appropriately.
• Respond to telephone, email and written queries on behalf of the service area including call handling where appropriate as agreed with supervisor.
• Arrange appointments, meetings and events on behalf of the service, making bookings where necessary and ensuring all equipment and documentation is available, in conjunction with supervisor where required.
• Maintain accurate and timely electronic and hard copy information using organisational systems as directed and in line with policies.
• Be compliant with the Data Protection and record management policies and procedures with particular reference to confidentiality and safeguarding issues.
• Be proactive and contribute ideas for improvement in the way the service is delivered.
• Be able to work using own initiative, prioritising work within defined policies and procedures to set timescales.
• Demonstrate own activities to new or less experienced employees.
• Be accountable for monies and expenditures and have adequate numeracy skills, while working in line with budgets.
• Be willing to administer medication once trained to do so.

This list is not exhaustive and you may at times be expected to support other members of the team in delivery of services to meet the needs of our service users, such as the moving and handling of service users and occasional personal care support.

Who We’re Looking For

We’re seeking people who are caring, patient, and respectful, with a positive and resilient approach. You should be confident working independently and within a team, have good communication skills, basic IT and written abilities, and be flexible and reliable. No previous experience? No problem! If you have the passion, we’ll provide full training and a structured induction programme.

Requirements

• Willingness to work towards Level 2 in Health and Social Care.
• Ability to work unsociable hours on a rota basis.
• Driver's license is essential.
• Enhanced DBS required (paid for by CareTech).

What We Offer

• Recommend A Friend Bonus.
• Up to 28 Days Holiday, inclusive of Bank Holidays.
• Free DBS Check.
• Blue Light Card.
• Stakeholder Pension.
• Free Employee Assistance Programme.
• Annual Employee Awards Evening.
• Employee Recognition Schemes.
• Ongoing training with clear career progression opportunities, including access to qualifications up to degree level.
• CareTech Foundation - Opportunity to apply for family and friend’s grant.

Our Values

• Friendly
• Positive
• Innovative
• Empowering
• Person-Centred

Apply today to join a friendly, empowering organisation committed to person-centred support and creating Extraordinary Days, Every Day.

About CareTech

Founded in 1993, CareTech is one of the largest and most reputable specialist social care and special education needs providers across the UK. The Group has a track record of more than 30 years, delivering high quality, person-centred care to those with complex needs. The Group was founded by brothers Haroon and Farouq Sheikh, who continue to lead CareTech today, providing continuity of leadership, long term stability and a deep personal commitment to the people we support.

CareTech Community Services are proud to inform you that they are a Disability Confident Leader.

Due to the high volume of applications, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted within 7–10 days. Some roles may require male or female employees only, where this is a genuine occupational requirement in accordance with the Equality Act 2010. Strictly no agencies.