At a Glance
- Tasks: Support autistic individuals with personal care and encourage enjoyable activities.
- Company: Join the National Autistic Society, dedicated to making a difference for autistic people.
- Benefits: 35 days annual leave, pension scheme, training, and discounts on shopping.
- Other info: Full training provided; flexible benefits and support for staff wellbeing.
- Why this job: Make a meaningful impact in a rewarding role at a state-of-the-art autism centre.
- Qualifications: Positive attitude and passion for helping others; experience with autistic people is a plus.
The predicted salary is between 26000 - 29000 £ per year.
The National Autistic Society is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all children and adults who use our services. Successful applicants will be required to complete the relevant safeguarding checks.
Join Us as a Support Worker. The National Autistic Society helps create a world that works for autistic people, and we have a rewarding opportunity for a Support Worker at Randalstown Centre. If you share our values and want to make a difference, we'd love to hear from you.
About the Service: The National Autistic Society Randalstown Centre is a purpose-built autism facility, developed following priorities identified by autistic people and their families. It will operate a dual service model, providing commissioned day services for autistic adults with high support or complex needs, alongside an evening and weekend 'Support for Life' programme offering a wide range of activities for autistic people and their families. These include dedicated sessions for autistic children with high support needs, youth clubs, adult mentoring, skills programmes, and stay-and-play opportunities.
About the Role: We're recruiting Support Workers to join our dedicated team at our state-of-the-art autism centre in Randalstown, operating Monday to Friday from 8am-5pm. This rewarding role involves supporting autistic individuals with high support needs in a modern, person-centred environment where dignity and understanding are at the heart of everything we do. Full training is provided as part of a comprehensive induction, giving you the confidence to thrive and make a meaningful difference. Please note that while we have 2 vacancies on this role, we have an occupational requirement for one of the roles to be filled by a male applicant, due to the needs of a person we support.
What You'll Do:
- Assist with personal care (bathing, dressing, eating)
- Encourage activities they enjoy (swimming, hiking, arts & crafts)
- Support life skills & independence (budgeting, shopping, meal preparation)
What We're Looking For:
- For you to inspire others with a positive attitude towards supporting vulnerable people
- Experience with autistic people is helpful but not essential
- Personal experience or a passion for helping others is welcome
This advert is for permanent full-time positions at 35 hours per week. Possession of a driving licence (minimum one year) is preferred.
What we can offer you:
- Pension - Auto-enrolled pension scheme.
- Annual Leave - 35 days (including public holidays). You can buy or sell leave each year.
- Training - Great induction and training, including autism training.
- Discounts - Online staff discount scheme for shopping, cycling, tech, and more (e.g., Asda, Tesco, Nike, Apple).
- Healthcare - Cash plan for permanent staff.
- Life Assurance - 2x your base salary.
- Flexible Benefits - Options like private health, dental insurance, holiday trading, enhanced pension.
- Support - 24-hour Employee Assistance Programme and counselling.
- Mindfulness - Free Headspace app for you and up to 3 family/friends.
- Blue Light Card - Eligibility for discounts.
- Extra Pay - Enhanced overtime, plus payments for sleep-in and on-call (if applicable to the role).
- Refer a Friend - Get £200 when you refer someone.
About our application process: When you write your supporting statement, look at the job description and person specification. Tell us how your skills and experience match the role. Give examples if you can. We might close this job advert early if we get lots of suitable applications. To protect our autistic adults at the National Autistic Society, all staff are required to have a criminal background check. Membership of the Access NI Scheme is an essential requirement of the post and the National Autistic Society will cover the cost of your application. The NAS adheres to the Access NI Code of Practice. A copy is available on request. Applications for this job are sought from anyone who is suitably qualified and experienced for the role but particularly welcome from autistic people. We are an equal opportunities employer and part of the Disability Confident Employer scheme.
Important Information: Agencies need not apply. Please note the National Autistic Society are unable to provide sponsorship for Visas. The National Autistic Society may use artificial intelligence (AI) to assist our recruitment team with reviewing applications for this role. All application decisions are made by people and are not determined automatically by AI. To be considered for this role you will be redirected to and must complete the application process on our careers page.
Support Worker (Day Services) TLNT1_NI employer: IrishJobs
As a Waste Resource Team Leader with our esteemed local authority client, you will be part of a dedicated team committed to enhancing community sustainability and environmental responsibility. Our organisation fosters a supportive work culture that prioritises employee development, offering training opportunities and a clear path for career progression. With competitive remuneration, including pension and holiday pay, along with the chance to make a meaningful impact in your community, this role is an excellent opportunity for those seeking rewarding employment in the public sector.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Support Worker (Day Services) TLNT1_NI
✨Dive into Local Community Groups
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✨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 IrishJobs!
✨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 IrishJobs, 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 IrishJobs 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 (Day Services) TLNT1_NI
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 IrishJobs:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to IrishJobs! 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 IrishJobs
✨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.
