At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a caring team and provide person-centred support to adults with diverse needs.
- Company: Join Orchard House, a friendly home dedicated to making a difference.
- Benefits: Enjoy up to 28 days holiday, free DBS check, and ongoing training opportunities.
- Other info: Flexible shifts with clear pathways for career progression and professional development.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in people's lives while growing your career in care.
- Qualifications: Confident leadership skills and a passion for person-centred support are essential.
The predicted salary is between 24000 - 28000 £ per year.
We are recruiting a Senior Support Worker to join our service in Ashford, 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 – Orchard House is a small, friendly home providing care and support for up to 10 people with learning and physical disabilities. The age of the service users is 31 to 66, consisting of 2 females and 8 males. The users have diverse needs including autism, epilepsy, mental health needs, Angelman syndrome, and wheelchair dependency. The location offers easy access to public transport, with buses stopping 50 yards from the service, onsite parking and proximity to the international train station and local shops.
Responsibilities
- Lead and supervise a team of Support Workers, providing guidance, role‑modeling, and day‑to‑day direction.
- Deliver and oversee high‑quality, person‑centred support, ensuring support plans are followed, reviewed, and updated.
- Coordinate and participate in meaningful activities, appointments, and community engagement for the people we support.
- Maintain high standards of record‑keeping, completing documentation, incident reports, and reviews professionally.
- Participate in the Senior On‑Call rota, responding to staff queries, incidents, and operational needs as required.
Qualifications
- Confident in leading a team within a care environment.
- Passionate about person‑centred support.
- Professional, proactive, and resilient.
- Able to work independently while also supporting and motivating others.
- Skilled in communication (written and verbal).
- Caring, patient, respectful, and calm under pressure.
- Able to manage challenging situations with confidence.
- Flexible and reliable, with the ability to work rota‑based shifts including Senior On‑Call.
- Committed to maintaining high‑quality standards and excellent practice, willingness to work towards Level 3 Diploma in Health & Social Care.
- Ability to work unsociable hours on a rota basis.
- Drivers desirable but not essential.
Benefits
- 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.
Values
- Friendly.
- Positive.
- Innovative.
- Empowering.
- Person‑Centred.
Senior Support Worker: Lead a Caring Team & Grow Career in Ashford employer: Caretech
At Orchard House in Ashford, we pride ourselves on being an excellent employer dedicated to fostering a supportive and empowering work environment for our Senior Support Workers. With a strong focus on professional development, we offer ongoing training and clear career progression opportunities, alongside generous benefits such as up to 28 days of holiday, a free DBS check, and access to the CareTech Foundation grants. Our friendly and positive culture ensures that every team member can make a meaningful impact while enjoying a fulfilling career in care.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Support Worker: Lead a Caring Team & Grow Career in Ashford
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the care sector, attend local events, and join online forums. The more people you know, the better your chances of hearing about job openings before they even hit the market.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! When you get the chance to meet potential employers, whether at a job fair or an informal chat, be ready to discuss your experience and how it aligns with the role. Bring examples of how you've made a difference in previous positions.
✨Tip Number 3
Be proactive! If you see a job that interests you, don’t wait for the perfect moment. Apply through our website and follow up with a friendly email expressing your enthusiasm. It shows initiative and can set you apart from other candidates.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its values. Think about how your personal approach to care aligns with their mission. Practising common interview questions can also help you feel more confident when it’s time to shine!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Support Worker: Lead a Caring Team & Grow Career in Ashford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Care:When writing your application, let your passion for supporting others shine through. Share personal experiences or motivations that led you to pursue a career in care, especially with adults who have learning disabilities and mental health needs.
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to reflect the specific role of Senior Support Worker. Highlight your leadership skills and any relevant experience in person-centred support, as this will show us you're a great fit for our team at Orchard House.
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application clear and to the point. Use straightforward language and structure your thoughts logically. This helps us quickly see your qualifications and how you can contribute to our caring team.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates about the role. Plus, it’s super easy!
How to prepare for a job interview at Caretech
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you understand the role of a Senior Support Worker inside out. Familiarise yourself with the specific needs of the service users, like autism and mental health challenges. This will help you demonstrate your knowledge and passion for person-centred support during the interview.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Since this role involves leading a team, be ready to share examples of how you've successfully managed or supported others in a care environment. Talk about your approach to guiding and motivating a team, and how you handle challenging situations with confidence.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that ask how you'd handle specific situations, such as managing a crisis or engaging service users in meaningful activities. Think through some scenarios beforehand and outline your thought process, showing your ability to remain calm and professional under pressure.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
At the end of the interview, don’t forget to ask questions! Inquire about the team dynamics, ongoing training opportunities, or how they measure success in the role. This shows your genuine interest in the position and helps you assess if it’s the right fit for you.
