At a Glance
- Tasks: Support a gentleman with learning disabilities to live independently and enjoy life.
- Company: Dimensions, a recognised Great Place to Work for eight consecutive years.
- Benefits: Competitive pay, flexible shifts, 30 days annual leave, and career progression opportunities.
- Other info: Join a supportive team that values your ideas and wellbeing.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in someone's life while developing your skills and career.
- Qualifications: Empathy, patience, and a driving licence are essential; experience is a plus.
The predicted salary is between 12.85 - 12.85 £ per hour.
£12.85 per hour
Full-time (37.5 Hours Per Week)
Sleep ins
UK/EU Manual Driving Licence is Required
Middlesbrough
At Dimensions, work is more than a job, it's a chance to make everyday matter. You'll join a team built on respect, courage, and partnership, where your ideas are valued and your wellbeing comes first. Recognised as a Great Place to Work for eight years, we'll support you with training, flexibility, and career development so you can thrive. Together, we'll create opportunities for people to live life their way and help you grow in ways that matter to you.
About the role
You'll be supporting a gentleman in his early 40s to live comfortably, safely, and as independently as possible in his own home. This is a highly rewarding role for someone who enjoys building genuine relationships and supporting people to reach their full potential. This role involves supporting someone with profound learning disabilities and autism. Consistency, patience, good communication, and a positive outlook are essential. He is generally calm and settled and communicates in a variety of ways, including:
- Makaton
- Pointing to objects
- Body language and facial expressions
You'll take the time to understand his unique communication style, ensuring his choices, preferences, and voice are always respected. Like anyone, he can sometimes become frustrated or anxious. During these moments, he may:
- Stamp his feet
- Display behaviours of distress
- Occasionally engage in self-injurious behaviour
Your role will be to provide calm, reassuring support, following agreed strategies and helping him feel safe and understood. He enjoys living a structured and fulfilling life and has a wide range of interests. Some of his favourite activities include:
- Exploring the local marina and surrounding areas
- Taking leisurely walks, often stopping to look at things that catch his interest
- Reading and sharing books
- Looking at notice boards, information displays, and signs, particularly when someone can help read and discuss them with him
- Using his Storio and Innotab, often revisiting favourite stories and activities
- Watching a variety of television programmes based on his interests at the time
- Spending quality time with his family, who play a very important role in his life and visit regularly
He is an enthusiastic reader and has a keen eye for detail. He enjoys staff reading with him and will happily let you know if a word has been missed or read incorrectly!
Shift Patterns
Support is provided on a 24-hour basis, and you must be able to work: 8:00am - 10:00pm sleep-in followed by 7:00am - 8:00am. Sleep-in shifts are a required part of this role. Rotas are planned 4 weeks in advance to support work-life balance.
About you
We're looking for people who see beyond care and support and who can act as mentors, teachers, and positive role models. With the right encouragement and support, he has shown that he can achieve incredible things. In the past, he has enjoyed memorable experiences including travelling abroad, navigating the Paris Metro, visiting the Eiffel Tower, and enjoying the attractions at Disneyland Paris. He thrives when supported by people who believe in his abilities, encourage new experiences, and focus on opportunities rather than limitations. If you're someone who enjoys helping others learn, explore, and achieve things they may never have thought possible, this could be the perfect role for you.
Rewards that make a difference
A competitive pay rate with uplift for overtime you choose to work
Flexible shift patterns to suit your needs
30 days paid Annual Leave (including public holidays - pro rata)
Opportunities for career progression
Supported ‘Learn to Drive' scheme (up to 30 driving lessons, 1 theory/practical test - all paid for by us)
We offer a salary advance scheme where you can access up to 50% of the money you've earned before payday.
High Street Discounts - Retail and Entertainment (supermarkets, hospitality, pubs, cinema etc.)
Life Assurance and Company Pension
Industry leading training
Enhanced DBS paid for by us
Apply now
An enhanced DBS disclosure will be required for this role, the cost of which will be incurred by Dimensions. We welcome applications from everyone who has the right to work in the UK, and value diversity in our workforce. If a driving licence is required for this role you will need to produce a copy of the driving licence at the onboarding stage. As Disability Confident Leaders, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the vacancy - Dimensions has been awarded this symbol by Jobcentre Plus to recognise our commitment towards the employment, retention, training and career development of disabled employees. As part of our commitment to making reasonable adjustments we can offer support to complete your application. Please contact the Resourcing Consultant Team on 03003039150. We now have British Sign Language (BSL) translated videos for all of our recruitment communications.
Locations
Support Worker in Middlesbrough, North East employer: Dimensions
At Dimensions, we pride ourselves on being more than just an employer; we are a community dedicated to making a meaningful impact in the lives of those we support. Located in Middlesbrough, our inclusive work culture fosters respect and collaboration, ensuring that every team member's voice is heard and valued. With competitive pay, flexible shift patterns, and extensive career development opportunities, we empower our staff to grow both personally and professionally while making a difference in the lives of individuals with learning disabilities and autism.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Support Worker in Middlesbrough, North East
✨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 Dimensions.
✨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 Dimensions!
✨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 Dimensions, 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 Dimensions 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 in Middlesbrough, North East
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 Dimensions:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Dimensions! 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 Dimensions
✨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.
