At a Glance
- Tasks: Provide after-school support to a child with Autism and PDA in their home and community.
- Company: Special People Ltd, a supportive and inclusive employer.
- Benefits: Competitive pay, full training, career progression, and enhanced bank holiday rates.
- Other info: Join a friendly team committed to professional development and support.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in a child's life while developing your skills.
- Qualifications: Experience with children with PDA and a warm, patient communication style.
The predicted salary is between 15.5 - 15.5 £ per hour.
- PDA‑Experienced Support Worker (After‑School) – Hammersmith Special People
- Address Hammersmith, London, UK
- Description
We are looking for a skilled, calm, and relationship‑led Support Worker to work with a child with Autism and a PDA (Pathological Demand Avoidance) profile.
The role involves providing consistent after‑school support in the family home and local community.
This position requires someone who understands the unique presentation of PDA and can work flexibly, creatively, and collaboratively with the child and their family.
- Locations
- Hammersmith, London
- Shifts
- Pay/Rate
- £14.80 – £15.50 per hour (varies by assignment and experience)
Key Responsibilities
- Provide after‑school support in the home and community
- Build a trusting, respectful relationship with the child
- Use low‑arousal, low‑demand strategies to reduce anxiety
- Support emotional regulation and engagement through preferred activities
- Work collaboratively with parents and the wider team
- Promote independence at the child’s pace
- Maintain clear, professional boundaries and safeguarding standards
- Enhanced bank holiday rate.
- Full training and development opportunities.
- Ongoing support from a friendly, committed leadership team.
- Professional development and industry‑leading training.
- Supportive, inclusive team environment.
- Career progression opportunities.
- Strong understanding of PDA and how it impacts communication, anxiety, and daily functioning
- Previous experience supporting children or young people with a PDA profile
- Ability to use a relationship‑based, low‑demand approach
- Confidence in adapting expectations, offering choices, and reducing perceived pressure
- Warm, patient, and emotionally attuned communication style
- Ability to build trust gradually and respectfully
- Reliability and consistency
All offers are subject to Enhanced DBS checking and satisfactory references in line with government regulations and recruitment best practices.
Special People Ltd is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
We welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates.
Where a client's dignity requires same‑sex personal care, we apply a genuine occupational requirement (Equality Act 2010, Schedule 9(1)).
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PDA‑Experienced Support Worker (After‑School) – Hammersmith employer: hello.de AG
Routes Healthcare is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and dynamic work environment for Complex Care Assistants in the North East region. With a focus on professional development through specialist clinical training and ongoing support, employees are empowered to grow their skills while making a meaningful impact on the lives of children with complex healthcare needs. The company promotes a culture of compassion and reliability, ensuring that staff feel valued and supported in their roles.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land PDA‑Experienced Support Worker (After‑School) – Hammersmith
✨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 hello.de AG.
✨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 hello.de AG!
✨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 hello.de AG, 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 hello.de AG 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 PDA‑Experienced Support Worker (After‑School) – Hammersmith
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 hello.de AG:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to hello.de AG! 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 hello.de AG
✨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.
