At a Glance
- Tasks: Support individuals with complex needs to live fulfilling lives in their communities.
- Company: Drive, a values-led health and social care organisation.
- Benefits: Earn £14.43 per hour, enjoy free training, and career progression opportunities.
- Other info: Flexible shifts available, including evenings and weekends, with a supportive team environment.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while gaining valuable experience.
- Qualifications: Experience with complex needs and a willingness to pursue Health and Social Care qualifications.
The predicted salary is between 14.43 - 14.43 £ per hour.
Drive is a values‑led health and social care organisation supporting people with disabilities to live full and valued lives. We work in partnership with individuals to promote choice, independence and inclusion, supporting people to live the life that matters to them. Everything we do is guided by our values of:
- Dignity
- Respect
- Inclusion
- Vision
- Empowerment
About Closer to Home
Our Closer to Home services provide intensive, specialist support for individuals with complex needs and behaviours that can challenge services. The focus is on keeping people close to their communities, reducing the need for hospital or out‑of‑area placements, and supporting individuals to live meaningful lives in ordinary settings. This is rewarding but demanding work, suitable for people who are calm, resilient, reflective, and committed to person‑centred practice.
About the role
We are recruiting Support Workers to join our Closer to Home teams on a permanent basis, with contracted hours between 16 and 37.5 hours per week. As a Support Worker in Closer to Home, you will provide consistent, high‑quality, person‑centred support to individuals with complex physical, emotional and behavioural needs. You will work as part of a skilled team, following Positive Behavioural Support plans to reduce distress, promote independence and support meaningful participation in everyday life. Shifts may include days, evenings, weekends, public holidays, waking nights and sleep‑in duties, depending on service needs.
Benefits of working for Drive
- £14.43 per hour
- Waking nights paid at time and a third
- Free Enhanced DBS check with Adults’ Barred List
- Paid initial registration with Social Care Wales
- Free professional training, induction and qualifications
- Career progression and development opportunities
- Refer a Friend reward scheme: £100 voucher when your referral starts, £200 voucher when your referral passes probation
- Company pension
You will be required to:
- Work contracted hours between 16–37.5 hours per week
- Work a variety of shifts on a rota basis, including weekends, public holidays, waking nights and sleep‑ins
- Support individuals with daily living, personal care and emotional wellbeing
- Respond appropriately to behaviours that challenge, following agreed support and risk plans
- Promote dignity, choice, independence and inclusion at all times
- Maintain accurate records and work in line with Drive’s policies and procedures
- Hold a full UK driving licence, have access to a vehicle and business car insurance
- Experience supporting individuals with complex needs and/or behaviours that challenge
- willingness to register with and maintain registration with Social Care Wales
- willingness to work towards (or already hold) a Level 2 qualification in Health and Social Care
- Aged 18 or over
- Right to work in the UK (we do not offer sponsorship)
This post is subject to satisfactory references and an enhanced DBS check with the Adults’ Barred List.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Support Worker in Bridgend
✨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 Drive Charity.
✨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 Drive Charity!
✨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 Drive Charity, 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 Drive Charity 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 Bridgend
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 Drive Charity:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Drive Charity! 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 Drive Charity
✨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.
