At a Glance
- Tasks: Support young adults with Down syndrome and autism in daily living and activities.
- Company: Join Discovery, a caring team dedicated to empowering individuals.
- Benefits: Flexible shifts, competitive pay, 30 days annual leave, and career progression.
- Other info: Access to extensive training and development opportunities, including funded driving lessons.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while enjoying a vibrant community atmosphere.
- Qualifications: Compassionate, reliable, and motivated individuals; no prior experience needed.
The predicted salary is between 20000 - 25000 £ per year.
Full and part time available. All training provided.
About Discovery
At Discovery, we're proud to support people across Somerset and Cornwall to live the lives they choose. When you join us, you’re becoming part of a caring, committed team that puts people first in everything we do. You’ll make a real difference every day, and we’ll support you with excellent training, development opportunities and a wide range of colleague benefits to help you grow. There’s no “typical” Support Worker here. Our teams are made up of people of all ages, backgrounds and life experiences. Whether you’re new to care, changing careers or bringing years of experience, you’ll be welcomed and valued. What brings us all together is a shared passion for helping people live well, learn new skills and build independence. Our Support Workers don’t see their role as just a job; it’s the chance to brighten someone’s day, champion their choices and be part of moments that truly matter.
About the role
At The Halt in Minehead, this is more than a support worker role; it’s a chance to be part of a small, welcoming home where relationships really matter. You’ll be supporting four young adults (aged 23-37) with Down syndrome and/or autism who live largely independent lives. Your role is to offer encouragement, reassurance and gentle prompts to help them with day-to-day living while continuing to do the things they enjoy. Life here is active and community-focused. You might be heading out for walks along the seafront, visiting local cafés, enjoying meals out, or supporting people to attend signing and drama classes, clubs, dancing and more. No two days are the same, and there’s always something to look forward to. The Halt is just a short walk from Minehead town centre and the beach, making it easy to enjoy everything the local area has to offer. We’re looking for someone kind, patient and positive, who enjoys building meaningful connections and supporting people to live happy, independent lives. Shifts run between 7am - 2pm and 2pm - 10pm, plus 1 sleep in per week and alternate weekends.
About you
To thrive as a Support Worker in this home, you will be someone who is compassionate, reliable, and genuinely motivated to make a positive difference in people’s lives. You don’t need previous experience in social care, but you do need the right values, the willingness to learn, and the confidence to support individuals to live the life they choose. You’ll bring strong communication skills and the ability to build trusting relationships with the people you support, their families, and your colleagues. A good Support Worker here is patient, calm under pressure, and able to adapt to different situations with empathy and professionalism. You’ll also be proactive, observant, and comfortable encouraging people to develop their independence and try new things. Basic IT skills are important, as you’ll use digital systems for recording notes, completing training, and staying connected as part of the team. You’ll show a commitment to your own learning and development, embracing the training we provide to ensure you feel confident and equipped in your role. Most importantly, you’ll be someone who brings positivity, kindness, and respect to every interaction, helping create a safe, supportive, and happy environment for the people who live here.
Training, Development and Career Opportunities
Working for Discovery is rewarding, meaningful and offers genuine career progression. Within your first 12 weeks, we’ll fund and support you to complete the Care Certificate, which is essential for anyone working in health and social care. You’ll have access to a wide range of online and face-to-face training, including specialist courses tailored to the needs of the people you support. Through our City & Guilds accredited qualification centre, you can work towards diplomas and recognised qualifications and in some cases earn a financial bonus on completion. Our Learning Connect online platform gives you access to extensive training pathways so you can continue developing your skills throughout your career with us.
Rewards that make a difference
- A competitive pay rate with uplift for overtime you choose to work.
- Flexible shift patterns to suit your needs - 30 days paid Annual Leave (including public holidays).
- Opportunities for career progression.
- Supported 'Learn to Drive' scheme (up to 30 driving lessons, 1 theory/practical test all paid for by us).
- We offer a salary advance scheme where you can access up to 50% of the money you’ve earned before payday.
- High Street Discounts Retail and Entertainment (supermarkets, hospitality, pubs, cinema etc.).
- Life Assurance and Company Pension.
- Industry leading training.
- Enhanced DBS paid for by us.
An enhanced DBS disclosure will be required for this role, the cost of which will be incurred by Discovery. We welcome applications from everyone who has the right to work in the UK, and value diversity in our workforce. As Disability Confident Leaders, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the vacancy. Discovery has been awarded this symbol by Jobcentre Plus to recognise our commitment towards the employment, retention, training and career development of disabled employees. As part of our commitment to making reasonable adjustments we can offer support to complete your application. We now have British Sign Language (BSL) translated videos for all of our recruitment communications.
Support Worker - Minehead employer: Career Choices Dewis Gyrfa Ltd
At Discovery, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and inclusive work environment in Minehead. Our commitment to employee growth is evident through comprehensive training programmes, flexible shift patterns, and a range of benefits including competitive pay, generous annual leave, and opportunities for career progression. Join us to make a meaningful impact in the lives of others while enjoying a fulfilling career in a vibrant community setting.
Contact Details:
Career Choices Dewis Gyrfa Ltd Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Support Worker - Minehead
✨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 Career Choices Dewis Gyrfa Ltd.
✨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 Career Choices Dewis Gyrfa Ltd!
✨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 Career Choices Dewis Gyrfa Ltd, 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 Career Choices Dewis Gyrfa Ltd 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 - Minehead
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 Career Choices Dewis Gyrfa Ltd:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Career Choices Dewis Gyrfa Ltd! 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 Career Choices Dewis Gyrfa Ltd
✨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.
