At a Glance
- Tasks: Support adults with disabilities to live independently and engage in their communities.
- Company: Active Lives, a community-focused organisation dedicated to empowering individuals.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, cycle purchase scheme, retail discounts, and affordable healthcare.
- Other info: Flexible working options available, with opportunities for career growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while developing your skills in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in Positive Behaviour Support and strong communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 33012 - 33987 £ per year.
Position Overview
Active Lives Service – Community Support Worker – 36 hr week – Grade 5 (starting at £33,012, higher end £33,987)
Contract: Permanent
Hours of work: 36 hours per week
Location: Croydon
Salary range: Grade 5 £33,012 - £33,987 p.a. plus fantastic benefits.
About Active Lives
Active Lives supports adults with disabilities to live the life they choose by working in a person‑centred way, offering support aligned to the values of Community Led Support. Our way of working is to support people to be as independent as they can be in all areas of their life, to be actively involved and included in their local communities and to reduce or avoid people becoming building dependent. Learning opportunities range from Pathways to Employment to supporting people using a small/next steps approach to develop life skills and communicate their wants and needs so that they can make choices about their lives.
Responsibilities
- Meet and support adults with learning disabilities, autism, and other complex needs.
- Deliver sessions that build skills and support emotional and physical wellbeing – taking place in one of our Hubs and the local community.
Qualifications and Experience
- High professional standards and a good team player.
- Knowledge and experience of Positive Behaviour Support.
- Skills that support the development of communication and choice‑making ability of the people we support.
- Creative thinking skills to design and deliver sessions that meet individual person‑centred outcomes.
- Ability to demonstrate how their values align with supporting people in the local community to practice independence, exercise their human rights and make choices and progress towards goals in their own lives, maintain wellbeing, and keep safe from risk of harm and abuse.
- Clear demonstration of how they meet the Person Specification for the role.
Initial Placement
Initially, this role will be based at Whitehorse Hub, New Addington Hub, and/or The Cherry Hub; however, locations and teams may change according to service demand and evolution.
Benefits
- Cycle purchase scheme saving up to 42% (interest free)
- Discounted season tickets for parking in local car parks or an option to cap the daily cost to £6
- Retail discounts via the employee benefits scheme
- Discounted nursery with special rates for Croydon council employees
- Benenden’s affordable healthcare at very low monthly payments
- Affordable loans via Salary Finance (eligibility criteria applies)
Selection Process
We are following a Value‑based approach to the recruitment of the Community Support Worker posts within Active Lives. The selection process will involve a half‑day session at Cherry Hub, consisting of interview questions and task‑based activities involving interaction with residents, followed by a final follow‑up interview.
Equality and Diversity
Croydon Council is an inclusive employer and welcomes applications from all sections of the community. Subject to business needs, we are pleased to consider applications from candidates seeking flexible working arrangements and support hybrid working, whereby staff attend the workplace part of their working week and work from home or elsewhere remotely for the rest of the time. As users of the disability confident scheme, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the advertised role. Croydon Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expects all staff to share this commitment. The successful candidate will be subject to a DBS check, if the role requires one.
Community Support Worker employer: Croydon Council
Croydon Council is an excellent employer, offering a supportive work environment where compassion and community service are at the forefront. As a Resource Officer at the South London Coroner’s Court, you will not only play a vital role in assisting bereaved families but also benefit from flexible working options and opportunities for professional growth within a diverse and inclusive team. The council values its employees, providing a meaningful career path in public service that truly makes a difference in people's lives.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Community 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 Croydon Council.
✨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 Croydon Council!
✨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 Croydon Council, 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 Croydon Council 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 Community 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 Croydon Council:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Croydon Council! 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 Croydon Council
✨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.
