At a Glance
- Tasks: Provide hands-on care and create unforgettable experiences for children and young people.
- Company: Chailey Heritage Foundation, dedicated to supporting those with complex disabilities.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, enhanced annual leave, healthcare support, and career progression opportunities.
- Other info: Join a supportive team and enjoy extensive training and development.
- Why this job: Make a real impact every day while nurturing your own potential.
- Qualifications: Empathy, patience, and a passion for supporting young people are essential.
The predicted salary is between 13.9 - 13.9 £ per hour.
Explore Possibilities Every Day – Be a Support Worker at Chailey Heritage Foundation! At Chailey Heritage Foundation, our Support Workers make every day count — bringing patience, warmth, and positivity to children and young people with complex disabilities. This role is about being hands‑on, providing personal care and support, and helping to create a safe and welcoming environment where young people can learn, grow, and enjoy new experiences.
Salary: £13.90 per hour | £26,744–£29,205 FTE (depending on experience)
Enhancements: Weekends up to 50% | Bank Holidays 100% + Time in Lieu | Split Shift 10%
Location: North Chailey (BN8 4EF)
Hours: 21 to 37 hrs per week | You could be scheduled on any of these shifts as part of our 4-week rota.
Working Patterns: As a Support Worker, you could work in either our Children’s Services or Young People’s Services. The role is broadly the same across both services, but the shift patterns are different. Please consider which pattern best suits your availability.
- Children’s Services: Split shifts are a key part of Children’s Services during term time, supporting children and young people with their morning routines before school and again when they return home. During the school day, they are supported by our education colleagues. Depending on the needs of the service, there may also be occasions when only a morning or evening shift is required.
Split Shift: 7:00am–10:00am and 3:00pm–9:00pm
Morning Shift: 7:00am–10:00am (3 hours)
Evening Shift: 3:00pm–9:00pm (6 hours)
- Young People’s Services: Support is provided throughout the day, with shifts structured around the individual needs and routines of the young people we support.
Morning Shift: 7:00am–2:00pm
Late Shift: 1:45pm–9:00pm
Flexibility is essential: Whichever service you work in, you must be able to work a variety of shifts, including evenings, weekends and bank holidays, in line with the needs of the service. If working in Children’s Services, this also includes split shifts during term time.
Why Us? This is more than a support role. It’s the start of a meaningful career where your values, compassion, and commitment can shine. At Chailey Heritage Foundation, you’ll find training, progression, and the chance to grow into new opportunities — all while making a real impact every day for children and young people with complex disabilities.
- A true sense of purpose and belonging.
- A supportive team that values empathy and compassion.
- Extensive training and career progression opportunities, including a Level 3 Diploma in Health and Social Care.
What You'll Do: As a Support Worker, you’ll provide hands‑on care and create unforgettable experiences for the children and young people. Your responsibilities include:
- Safeguarding: Ensuring safety and well-being tailored to their needs.
- Health and Wellbeing: Supporting eating, drinking, medication, and managing epilepsy.
- Mobility: Assisting with powered mobility and equipment.
- Intimate Care: Maintaining dignity while meeting hygiene needs.
- Activities & Outings: Encouraging engagement in exciting activities and trips.
With comprehensive training, you’ll develop the skills to excel while enriching lives every day.
What We’re Looking For: You’ll thrive in this role if you bring:
- A basic understanding of the care needs of individuals with physical disabilities.
- Empathy, patience, and a positive outlook on diversity.
- Strong communication skills and a passion for supporting young people in activities.
- Willingness to work shifts, including evenings, weekends, and public holidays.
Previous experience working with individuals with disabilities or a willingness to drive Foundation vehicles is a bonus!
More than just your salary! We believe in nurturing potential — for children and young people, and for colleagues too. That’s why we invest in you with:
- Competitive Salary
- Enhanced Annual Leave – 25–30 days (plus bank holidays), increasing with length of service
- Healthcare Cash Plan & Wellbeing Support with 24/7 Doctor Line
- Enhanced Pension Scheme & Death In Service Benefit
- Enhanced maternity, adoption, and paternity leave
- Cycle to Work scheme
- Retail and leisure discounts
- Onsite parking
- Café, and kitchen facilities
Plus, we cover the cost of all DBS checks and renewals.
Take the Next Step: If you’re ready to build on your care experience and step into a role where you’ll support colleagues and shape the lives of children and young people, we’d love to hear from you.
For full details of this role, you can view the Support Worker Job Description. Discover more about who we are and what we stand for on Chailey Heritage Foundation website.
Deadline: Wednesday 30th September 2026, but we will be reviewing applications as they come in, so don't wait to apply.
Safeguarding Statement: Chailey Heritage Foundation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. Employment is subject to two satisfactory professional references, an enhanced DBS certificate, and occupational health clearance. It is an offence to apply for a role in regulated activity with children and vulnerable adults if you are barred from doing so.
Privacy Statement: As part of our recruitment process, Chailey Heritage Foundation (CHF) collects and processes personal data relating to job applicants. We are committed to being transparent about how we collect and use that data in line with GDPR. Please ensure you review our privacy policy before completing an application.
Support Worker - Days in Lewes employer: Chailey Heritage Foundation
At Chailey Heritage Foundation, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer dedicated to making a meaningful impact in the lives of children and young people with complex disabilities. Our supportive work culture fosters empathy and compassion, while offering extensive training and career progression opportunities, including a Level 3 Diploma in Health and Social Care. Located in North Chailey, our team enjoys competitive salaries, enhanced annual leave, and a range of wellbeing benefits, all within a nurturing environment that values every individual's contribution.
Contact Details:
Chailey Heritage Foundation Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Support Worker - Days in Lewes
✨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 Chailey Heritage Foundation.
✨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 Chailey Heritage Foundation!
✨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 Chailey Heritage Foundation, 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 Chailey Heritage Foundation 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 - Days in Lewes
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 Chailey Heritage Foundation:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Chailey Heritage Foundation! 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 Chailey Heritage Foundation
✨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.
