Community Support Worker in Rayleigh

Love a good conversation, enjoy helping others and feel happiest when you’ve made someone’s day a little easier? Get paid to put those people skills to work. As a Community Support Worker with Guardian Homecare, you’ll help people remain independent in their own homes, keep familiar routines and stay connected to the things that matter to them.

Whether you’re helping someone get ready for the day, prepare their favourite lunch or enjoy a trip into the community, you’ll encourage them to do what they can for themselves and lend a hand where they need it. Help people live life their way, with choice, dignity and the right support.

Our Basildon - GH team covers: Stanford-Le-Hope, North Benfleet, Pitsea, Langdon Hills, Basildon, Rayleigh and the surrounding areas. We welcome applicants living in these communities and surrounding areas. Tell us which locations you can reach reliably so we can discuss suitable local routes and availability.

Pay and working patterns

• Mileage: 40p per mile for eligible work travel.
• Working pattern: 7:00-22:00; 7:00-14:00; 15:00-22:00
• Contract: Working hours and contract options will be discussed around your availability and the service’s requirements.
• Travel: A driving licence and access to a vehicle are essential for travelling between client visits.

Job Description

What could your day look like? This is a domiciliary care role, visiting people in their own homes and following individual care plans. Personal care is an important part of the role, alongside companionship, practical help and support with independence.

• Help someone start and finish their day comfortably: provide sensitive support with washing, bathing, dressing, grooming, toileting and continence care, respecting privacy and dignity.
• Encourage independence and safe movement: support walking, transfers and the use and care of mobility aids, adaptations and personal equipment, following your training and the care plan.
• Make mealtimes enjoyable: prepare meals, snacks and drinks that reflect preferences and dietary needs, helping with eating and drinking where required.
• Support medication safely: help with prescriptions, reminders and administration where authorised, following training, agreed procedures and the individual care plan.
• Keep home feeling like home: assist with shopping, light cleaning, laundry, making and changing beds, tidying and emptying commodes where needed.
• Bring companionship and connection: listen, share conversations, offer reassurance and support agreed activities, outings and contact with friends and family.
• Notice changes: observe wellbeing, report concerns through the appropriate channels and maintain accurate records of care, incidents and changes.
• Work together and keep people safe: communicate with colleagues, families and healthcare professionals, follow safeguarding procedures and seek appropriate help with hazards, incidents or emergencies.

You’ll spend time working independently, with your branch team available for guidance and support.

Qualifications

• Bring your people skills — build your care skills
• No previous professional care experience is required. Experience in customer service, retail, hospitality, volunteering or supporting a family member can give you valuable skills to bring to this role.
• Training and ongoing support will help you develop your care skills.
• Kindness, patience and respect for people’s choices.
• Reliability and the ability to follow agreed care plans.
• Good listening, communication and record-keeping skills.
• A practical approach, willingness to learn and confidence to ask for help.
• Availability that matches the working patterns above.
• A driving licence and access to a vehicle are essential for travelling between client visits.
• The existing right to work in the UK. We are unable to offer visa sponsorship for this role.
• Appointment is subject to the required recruitment checks, including an enhanced DBS and references.

Additional Information

• Training, ongoing support and career development opportunities.
• Access to our in-house app.
• Blue Light Card eligibility for discounts at participating brands.
• 28 days’ annual leave, pro rata.
• Enhanced occupational maternity, adoption and paternity pay.
• Death in Service payment and pension scheme.
• Access to a benefits and wellbeing platform.
• Refer-a-friend scheme — £300 per referral, subject to scheme terms.
• The support and career opportunities of City & County Healthcare Group.

If you enjoy helping others and want to support people to live more independently, we’d love to hear from you. Please let us know if you need any reasonable adjustments during recruitment. Guardian Homecare is an equal opportunities employer.