At a Glance
- Tasks: Support a young adult with autism in community activities and build independence.
- Company: Freedom Care, a family-run organisation focused on relationship-based support.
- Benefits: Earn £18.00 per hour, with travel expenses covered and full training provided.
- Other info: Flexible hours available, with 33-48 hours of work each week.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in someone's life while enjoying meaningful weekends.
- Qualifications: Compassionate, reliable, and able to communicate effectively; experience with autism is a plus.
The predicted salary is between 18 - 18 £ per hour.
- FREEDOM CARE
- Support Worker (for young person) – Portsmouth
- Community Support | £18.00 per hour
- LOCATION
- Havant, Portsmouth, Hampshire
- DAYS
- Friday, Saturday and Sunday (And possibly Monday and Tuesday)
- HOURS
- Up to 11 hours per day (approx. 33 – 48 per week)
- START
- As soon as possible, subject to checks
- Make weekends meaningful
Freedom Care is looking for a compassionate, reliable Support Worker to support a young adult with autism and a Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) profile in the Portsmouth area.
This is a community-based role focused on building independence, enjoying positive experiences and developing a trusted relationship through consistent support.
About the person you will support
The young adult has a keen interest in buses, trains and transport.
He also enjoys swimming, eating out and exploring new places.
He responds best to someone who is calm, patient, adaptable and able to take a low-pressure, person-centred approach.
He plans his days out weeks in advance, including his travel arrangements, activities and where he would like to eat.
Some shifts can therefore involve significant travel on public transport.
This young adult has two younger siblings, and one of them may be at home on each of these days.
An important part of the role during home-based shifts will be to act as a protective factor for the younger children, remaining alert to the family environment and helping to maintain everyone’s safety and wellbeing.
- What you will be doing
- Providing consistent, relationship-based support in the community.
- Supporting access to activities, interests and new experiences.
- Encouraging independence, confidence and choice at an appropriate pace.
- Using calm, flexible communication that reflects an understanding of autism and PDA.
- Following agreed support plans, risk assessments and safeguarding procedures.
- Completing clear and accurate records following each shift.
- Working collaboratively with the family and Freedom Care team.
- Consistency and predictability are extremely important for this role. We are therefore looking for staff who can commit to providing support regularly and reliably.
- Please only express an interest if you have ongoing, regular availability for these shifts.
We currently have two established staff members on this team, and we are looking for additional workers who would be interested in getting to know him and becoming consistent members of this support team.
About you
- Calm, patient, compassionate and dependable.
- Able to build trust while respecting individual choice and autonomy.
- Confident supporting activities in the community.
- A clear communicator who can work consistently as part of a wider team.
- Experience supporting autistic people and/or individuals with a PDA profile is desirable, but not essential.
- A full UK driving licence and access to your own reliable vehicle with business-use insurance are essential.
- Willing to complete an Enhanced DBS check and all required safer-recruitment checks.
- Able to provide satisfactory references and evidence of your right to work in the UK.
- What Freedom Care offers
- Travel will be paid to and from this role, where the journey exceeds 30 minutes or 15 miles.
- A rewarding role with approximately 33-48 hours available each week.
- Full role-specific training and ongoing support.
- The opportunity to make a genuine difference through consistent, person-centred support.
- Support from an experienced, approachable and values-led team.
- About Freedom Care
Freedom Care is a family-run, CQC-regulated organisation providing relationship-based support to children, young people, adults and families.
We believe the best support begins with trust, consistency and a genuine understanding of the individual.
Freedom Care is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of the people we support.
Appointment is subject to satisfactory safer-recruitment checks, including an Enhanced DBS check, references and confirmation of the right to work in the UK.
- Freedom Care Relationship-based, person-centred support
- #J-18808-Ljbffr
Support Worker – Portsmouth Freedom Care employer: Freedomcaregroup
Freedom is an exceptional employer that values creativity and positivity in its workforce, offering a supportive environment for Youth Support Workers. With great pay rates, travel reimbursement, and the flexibility of a zero hours contract, employees can balance their work with personal commitments while engaging in meaningful activities that foster relationship building and personal growth for young people. The company prioritises extensive training and development opportunities, ensuring that staff are well-equipped to make a positive impact in the lives of those they support.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Support Worker – Portsmouth Freedom Care
✨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 Freedomcaregroup.
✨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 Freedomcaregroup!
✨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 Freedomcaregroup, 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 Freedomcaregroup 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 – Portsmouth Freedom Care
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 Freedomcaregroup:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Freedomcaregroup! 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 Freedomcaregroup
✨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.
