Specialist Support Worker – Weymouth Freedom Care

Freedom Care Group Specialist Autism, Learning Disability & Mental Health Support

Role: Specialist Support Worker

Hours:

• Tuesdays: 12pm – 5pm
• Thursdays: 12pm – 5pm
• Alternate Sundays: Approx. 12pm – 5pm (flexible depending on activity / needs)
  Additional: Ability to cover extra hours as needed (including occasional evenings)

Location: Weymouth, Dorset
Contract: Permanent – part-time

About the Role

We are seeking a skilled, emotionally resilient and compassionate Support Worker to join an established support package for a young adult with autism, trauma, and complex mental health needs.

This is a long-term, relationship-focused role working both at home and out in the community, supporting daily living skills, regulation, social confidence, and meaningful activity.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide 1:1 support duringset hours(Tuesdays & Thursdays 12–5pm, alternate Sundays 12–5pm).
• Remain flexible tocover extra hours, including occasional evenings.
• Support emotional regulation using trauma-informed, autism-informed, low-arousal practice.
• Engage in meaningful activities such as:
  • horse care and outdoor activity
  • animal care at home (dogs, cats, rabbits, tortoises, hedgehogs, birds)
  • cooking, meal planning, building independence skills
  • community outings, planning, use of public transport
• Assist with crisis responses calmly and confidently.
• Work collaboratively as part of a small, consistent multi-agency team.
• Maintain accurate notes and contribute to planning meetings.

Essential Requirements

• Level 3 qualificationin Health & Social Care (or equivalent).
• Strong experience supporting people withAutism,Mental Health, and complex emotional needs.
• Stable, grounded communicator who can stay calm under pressure.
• Authentic, reliable and able to build long-term trust.
• Comfortable around a wide range of animals.
• Willing to use public transport with the young person.
• Willing to completeadditional specialist training(ASC, trauma, crisis work).
• Able to work set hoursplus extra when required.

Desirable

• Confident with horses or willing to learn.
• Creative, practical person comfortable with cooking and planning.
• Experience supporting young adults with relational or trauma-related needs.

What We Offer

• Competitive hourly rate.
• Specialist training package.
• Regular supervision and reflective support.
• A stable, meaningful long-term role within a supportive team.

There are a range of other opportunities across childcare and support and education if required.

In line with our person centred ethos the Young person and the parent will be involved in the second layer of the recruitment process.