At a Glance
- Tasks: Support individuals with learning disabilities and autism in daily activities and community engagement.
- Company: Join HF Mencap, a values-led charity making a real difference.
- Benefits: Earn £13.85/hour with flexible shifts and full training provided.
- Other info: Opportunities for growth and development within a supportive team.
- Why this job: Make a meaningful impact while gaining valuable experience in social care.
- Qualifications: No prior experience needed; just bring your kindness and reliability.
The predicted salary is between 11 - 16 £ per hour.
Pay: £13.85 per hour.
Hours: Full-time (36 hours+) / Part-time / Flexible shifts (including some weekends & bank holidays).
Service hours: Monday–Sunday (not every weekend required).
Location: Hammersmith / Fulham / Shepherd's Bush / Hounslow & surrounding areas. Please apply only if you are within commutable distance.
Sponsorship: No sponsorship available.
Make a real difference: no experience needed. We're looking for warm, reliable, people-focused Support Workers to join HF Mencap. If you're caring, calm under pressure, and passionate about inclusion, we can teach you everything else. This is a brilliant role if you're interested in social care, community support, disability support, autism support, wellbeing, or working in a values-led charity. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds — including customer service, retail, hospitality, education, health, youth work, community work, or anyone with the right values.
HF Mencap supports people with learning disabilities and autistic people to live more independent, confident and connected lives — with choice, dignity and high expectations at the centre.
What you'll be doing: You'll support people at our centre and out in the local community, helping them build skills, confidence, friendships and independence through meaningful activities.
Key responsibilities:
- Person-centred support: enabling people to make choices and take the lead in their own lives
- Activity support: supporting people to take part in a wide range of sessions such as:
- Health & wellbeing programmes.
- Digital skills / IT sessions.
- Community outings and social activities (cinema, bowling etc.).
- Swimming and fitness activities.
- Personal care: where required, always in a respectful, dignified way
- Community inclusion: supporting people to build relationships and feel part of their community
- Record keeping & communication: writing daily notes, updating plans, sharing key information with the team
- Safety & safeguarding: following risk assessments, health & safety guidance, and safeguarding procedures
- Teamwork: working closely with colleagues, families, carers, and external professionals
What we're looking for (values and skills):
- Kind, respectful and person-centred.
- Reliable and consistent (people value stability and familiarity).
- A confident communicator who can build trust and rapport.
- Calm, patient and resilient in challenging situations.
- Open to learning and able to take feedback positively.
- Organised and responsible with accurate record keeping.
Essential requirement: Intermediate swimming ability (essential): you will support people in the pool.
Desirable (but not required): Experience in any of the following is welcome but not essential: support worker / care assistant / keyworker / outreach / community support / learning disabilities / autism / SEN / mental health / PBS (Positive Behaviour Support) / safeguarding / social care / youth work / support planning / day services / activities coordinator.
Training & benefits:
- Full induction and ongoing training (including safeguarding, health & safety, PBS, person-centred practice).
- Enhanced DBS paid for by HF Mencap.
- Supportive team culture: you'll be valued and backed up.
- Development opportunities and progression within the organisation.
- Meaningful work where you can see the impact every day.
- Covid-19 vaccination and Flu jab strongly encouraged to protect colleagues and the people we support.
Recruitment process:
- Step 1: Interview
- Step 2: If successful at interview, you'll be invited to a paid two-day trial, so you can experience the role and we can see you in practice.
Pay is £13.85/hour, up to 36 hours/week (full-time). Part-time/flexible options available.
How to apply: Please send:
- Your CV
- A short note (or cover letter) telling us: Why you want the role.
- Your availability (weekday/weekend/bank holidays; full-time or part-time).
- Confirmation you can travel reliably to the areas listed.
About HF Mencap:
Our Mission To empower children and adults with learning disabilities and autism to get their voice heard, reach their potential and be included in their local community.
Our Vision We seek to promote the wellbeing and development of children and adults with learning disabilities and autism in all areas of their lives as well as supporting their families and carers.
Support Worker in London employer: Hf-Mencap
As a Support Worker with us, you'll be part of a compassionate team dedicated to making a real difference in the lives of individuals with learning disabilities and autism. We offer flexible part-time hours at a competitive rate of £13.8 an hour, fostering a supportive work culture that values your contributions and encourages personal growth. Join us in a rewarding environment where your efforts directly enhance community inclusion and individual well-being.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Support Worker in London
✨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 Hf-Mencap.
✨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 Hf-Mencap!
✨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 Hf-Mencap, 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 Hf-Mencap 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 in London
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 Hf-Mencap:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Hf-Mencap! 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 Hf-Mencap
✨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.
