Flexible Support Worker – Active Lives in Brighton

The Grace Eyre Foundation is a charity based in Brighton & Hove and the wider Sussex community that has been working with people with a Learning Disability and autistic people since 1898. Our mission is to work towards being led by people with Learning Disabilities and autistic people to deliver high-quality housing, support and activities in their local communities. The people we support tell us that they want “good support from kind and friendly people” – so that is what we are looking for!

Grace Eyre is looking to recruit a support worker to work within the Active Lives day service. Active Lives provides positive and meaningful activities for people with learning disabilities and/or autism. Our activities mainly happen during the day from 8.45am till 4.45pm. Flexible support workers are expected to support the delivery of the service over the week, i.e. across different days of the week. These activities we deliver support people’s creativity, wellbeing, health, learning and development.

We are certainly keen to recruit staff with skills in various areas, e.g. music, communication or dance. We are always keen to work with different staff with various skills and interests, e.g. gardening or sports. The support that we offer can be in small groups or individually, depending on needs and interests. This role does include providing one-to-one support (in the day service). The support that we provide also includes travel/escorting to & from activities, medication and personal care. We ensure all staff are fully trained and supported with this before this occurs. Having reasonable IT skills is an important part of this role.

We are looking for people who are patient, compassionate, understanding and able to use their own initiative. It is a rewarding and varied role. We really see people grow and change from the support that they receive. Active Lives activities and projects are delivered in various locations community centres, leisure centres and art venues – including in our current base in Preston Park. You would be expected to work across these different locations. You will work closely with the Active Lives Team Leaders and wider Active Lives team. You will receive a full induction and regular support & training.

From directly speaking to the people that we support, they have told us that they want people who support and work with them to be nice and kind. “We want staff to give us space (when we need it) and be respectful”. Ideal candidate should have a sense of fun, creativity and imagination – enjoying working with people is key. You will have demonstrable commitment and positive attitude in working with people with learning disabilities and/or autism.

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

No applicant for employment or employee will be treated less favourably than another on grounds of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, gender, sexual orientation, marriage & civil partnership or pregnancy & maternity, and we encourage applications from people with learning disabilities or identify with being on the autistic spectrum/neurodiverse.

Staff benefits include:

• Enhanced holiday entitlement
• One paid celebration day a year
• Cost of living support package such as rental deposit scheme
• Cycle to work scheme
• One paid volunteering day a year
• Enhanced employer pension contribution
• Enhanced death in service
• Training and development opportunities
• Flexible working opportunities
• Electric Vehicle Scheme

We are also:

• Accredited as a Disability Confident Leader
• Accredited as an Investors in People employer
• Real Living Wage Employer