At a Glance
- Tasks: Support adults with learning disabilities in a beautiful outdoor setting, promoting independence and skills.
- Company: ECL Bocking, a caring organisation dedicated to helping individuals live fulfilling lives.
- Benefits: Competitive pay, generous leave, training opportunities, and a supportive work environment.
- Other info: Join a dynamic team where no two days are the same!
- Why this job: Make a real difference while enjoying nature and helping others grow.
- Qualifications: Passion for horticulture and experience in supporting adults with learning disabilities.
The predicted salary is between 12.91 - 12.91 £ per hour.
About The Role
Salary: £12.91 per hour
Location: ECL Bocking - Learning Disabilities Day Centre
Hours:
- 1x 28 hours per week
- 1x 29.5 hours per week
Contract 1: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday (28 hours)
Contract 2: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday (29.5 hours)
Join Our Growing Team at ECL Bocking Roundwood
Do you have a passion for horticulture, nature, and helping people achieve greater independence? ECL's Bocking Roundwood Day Opportunities Service is expanding, and we're looking for enthusiastic and motivated individuals to join our unique service. Set within 8 acres of beautiful landscape, Bocking Roundwood offers a truly inspiring environment, featuring polytunnels, greenhouses, horticultural projects, wildlife-rich outdoor spaces, and meaningful learning opportunities for adults with learning disabilities and autism.
This is much more than a support role. You'll work alongside customers to develop skills, confidence, and independence through engaging, person-centred activities. Whether supporting someone to grow produce in our horticultural areas, develop life skills, connect with nature, or achieve personal outcomes, you'll play a vital role in helping people lead fulfilling lives.
We'd love to hear from people who have:
- A genuine interest or experience in horticulture, gardening, or outdoor learning
- A passion for supporting adults with learning disabilities and autism
- A commitment to promoting independence, choice, and inclusion
- Experience or enthusiasm for delivering outcome-focused sessions and meaningful activities
- Creativity, positivity, and the ability to motivate and engage others
If you're someone who believes in the power of nature, meaningful opportunities, and person-centred support, we'd love to hear from you. Grow more than plants - help people grow too.
About You
To be considered as Support Worker you need:
- To be passionate about providing a high level of care and support to adults with learning disabilities and/or autism
- Exceptional listening and communication skills
- To possess an empathetic approach
- To be willing to provide personal care
- Basic IT skills for logging customer information
- A proactive approach to work and be able to work on your own initiative
- To be able to work flexibly depending on the needs of the work environment
- To live by ECL's values of caring, excellence, integrity, and teamwork
- Full driving licence and own vehicle required
Desirable but not essential:
- Experience supporting vulnerable adults or relevant lived experience.
- Qualifications in Health and Social Care (such as QCF or NVQ).
- Experience documenting activities, outcomes, and support records.
What we can offer you as Support Worker:
- 55p paid per mile tax-free
- Up to 32 days annual leave a year (inclusive of bank holidays)
- Fully paid induction and training with ongoing support
- Career development opportunities with access to paid for qualifications
- Annual salary reviews
- Annual performance-related bonus
- Uniform, PPE, and company smart phone provided
- Enhanced DBS and renewals paid for by ECL
- Company pension - Enhanced contributory NEST scheme - we contribute up to 6%
- Healthcare support scheme via Healthshield paid for by ECL
- Employee Loyalty Scheme with long service awards
- Employee referral program - £350 for referring a friend
- Employee Assistance Programme available 24/7
- Access to Blue Light Card
- Mental health first aiders in every service
- Reimbursement of professional membership related to your role
At Bocking Roundwood, no two days are the same. You'll have the opportunity to combine your love of the outdoors with a rewarding career that makes a real difference. Working within our unique rural setting, you'll help create experiences that build skills, confidence, wellbeing, and lasting achievements for the people we support.
ECL reserve the right to close this vacancy early depending on application numbers.
About Us
At ECL, we offer care and support to thousands of people to live safely and independently within their own homes and local communities in South East England. We provide high quality social care services in Essex, London Borough of Havering, London Borough of Barking & Dagenham and West Sussex aimed at wellbeing, prevention and increasing independence. We are an equal opportunities employer and positively encourage applications from suitable candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital status, or pregnancy and maternity. We are proud to be part of the Disability Confident scheme which helps to employ, support and promote disabled people in the workplace.
Please note that while ECL does hold a visa sponsor licence, we do not currently accept direct applications from candidates requiring visa sponsorship. Instead, we work with a designated third-party provider to support sponsorship arrangements. Therefore, applicants who do not already have the right to work in the UK and/or require visa sponsorship to continue working in the UK cannot be considered for this role through direct application.
Learning Disabilities Support Worker employer: ECL
ECL is an exceptional employer that prioritises the well-being and professional growth of its employees, offering a supportive work culture and comprehensive training. As a Field Care Supervisor in West Essex, you will enjoy generous benefits such as up to 32 days of annual leave, a competitive salary, and opportunities for career development, all while making a meaningful impact in your community. Join us to be part of a dedicated team that values independence and quality care for our customers.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Learning Disabilities 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 ECL.
✨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 ECL!
✨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 ECL, 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 ECL 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 Learning Disabilities 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 ECL:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to ECL! 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 ECL
✨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.
