At a Glance
- Tasks: Support adults with learning disabilities and autism to live independently and confidently.
- Company: Discovery, a community-focused organisation making a real impact.
- Benefits: Competitive pay, paid training, career development, and a supportive team environment.
- Other info: Flexible hours, varied tasks, and opportunities for personal growth.
- Why this job: Make a meaningful difference in people's lives while gaining diverse experiences.
- Qualifications: No prior experience needed; just a caring attitude and willingness to learn.
The predicted salary is between 14.93 - 14.93 £ per hour.
£14.93 per hour. Full & Part-Time Contracts Available. Driving licence, access to a car & business insurance essential.
Bring purpose to every day—yours and someone else’s. If you’re looking for a role where you can make a real, meaningful impact in your community, Discovery could be the place for you. We support adults with learning disabilities and autism across Somerset and Cornwall, helping people live independently, confidently, and on their own terms. We’re now recruiting Peripatetic (Floating) Support Workers to work across Taunton and the surrounding area. You’ll join a flexible, supportive team who provide person-centred support across multiple homes—wherever it’s needed most.
What makes the Floating Support Worker role unique? Peripatetic Support Workers bring adaptability, compassion and energy to a variety of different services. No two days look the same, and you’ll gain experience supporting different people with different goals, routines and needs.
Here’s what some of our current Peripatetic Support Workers say about the role:
- “I love the variety this role gives me – no two days are ever the same. As a Peripatetic Support Worker, I get to meet and support so many amazing people, each with their own unique needs, goals and personalities. One day I could be helping someone with personal care, another day I could be supporting someone with complex health needs, or simply being a friendly face to brighten their day.”
- “Because I move between different services and teams, I’ve built up a wide range of skills and experiences. It’s rewarding to know that I’m making a difference wherever I go – supporting people to live their lives to the fullest, while also learning and growing myself.”
You’ll be supported by our Senior Resource Allocation Manager and by the teams within each service you visit, so you’ll always feel part of a strong, connected community.
What you’ll be doing: Every day will be guided by the people you support and their personalised support plans. Your role may include:
- Building warm, trusting relationships
- Supporting people with activities they enjoy at home and in the community
- Encouraging independence and empowering people to achieve their goals
- Helping with daily living tasks such as meal preparation, finances and personal care
- Supporting individuals who are non-verbal or who use wheelchairs (full training provided)
- Working collaboratively with different teams to ensure consistent, high-quality support
You don’t need previous experience—we provide full, paid training, plus opportunities to gain recognised qualifications and progress your career.
What we’re looking for: As a Floating Support Worker, you’ll need to be comfortable with:
- Travelling within roughly an hour of your home
- Supporting people with a wide range of needs, including personal care
- Working varied shift patterns (early, late and occasional sleep-ins depending on the service)
- Working alternate weekends
- Using your own car for travel and holding (or being willing to obtain) business insurance
Your rewards and benefits: A full list of rewards is available in the job description, including:
- Paid training at your standard hourly rate
- Career development and funded qualifications
- Supportive teams and a strong sense of purpose
- A workplace where diversity is valued, and everyone belongs
An enhanced DBS check is required for this role (cost covered by Discovery). We welcome applications from everyone with the right to work in the UK and are proud to be Disability Confident Leaders. We guarantee an interview to all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria. If you require reasonable adjustments or support with your application, please contact the Resourcing Consultant Team on 0300 303 9150. BSL-translated recruitment videos are available for all applicants. AI can help you research and refine your application, but everything you submit should reflect your genuine skills and experience. Please ensure your application represents your own voice and abilities. If you use assistive technology or require reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, we are committed to supporting you where we can. Please let us know in advance so we can ensure appropriate arrangements are in place.
Floating Support Worker in Ashton-under-Lyne employer: Discovery
At Dimensions, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and inclusive work environment for our Female Support Workers in Shepton Mallet. With competitive pay, flexible shift patterns, and a commitment to employee growth through industry-leading training and career progression opportunities, we ensure that our team members feel valued and empowered. Join us to make a meaningful difference in the lives of those we support while enjoying unique benefits like a 'Learn to Drive' scheme and high street discounts.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Floating Support Worker in Ashton-under-Lyne
✨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 Discovery.
✨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 Discovery!
✨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 Discovery, 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 Discovery 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 Floating Support Worker in Ashton-under-Lyne
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 Discovery:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Discovery! 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 Discovery
✨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.
