At a Glance
- Tasks: Coordinate fun activities and support adults with learning disabilities in a caring environment.
- Company: CareTech, dedicated to delivering extraordinary care every day.
- Benefits: Competitive pay, flexible hours, and the chance to make a real difference.
- Other info: Work in a supportive team and enjoy opportunities for personal growth.
- Why this job: Join a rewarding career where you empower others and create memorable experiences.
- Qualifications: Must be a driver with good IT skills; experience in care is a plus.
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.
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 and 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
Activities Support Worker employer: CareTech UK
CareTech is an exceptional employer dedicated to providing high-quality, person-centred care in a supportive and empowering environment. Located in the picturesque rural setting of Bethersden, our team enjoys a collaborative work culture that values kindness, flexibility, and reliability, while offering opportunities for personal and professional growth. With competitive pay and the chance to make a meaningful impact in the lives of adults with learning disabilities and mental health needs, joining CareTech means being part of a mission to create 'Extraordinary Days, Every Day'.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Activities 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 CareTech UK.
✨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 CareTech UK!
✨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 CareTech UK, 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 CareTech UK 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 Activities 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 CareTech UK:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to CareTech UK! 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 CareTech UK
✨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.
