At a Glance
- Tasks: Support individuals with diverse needs in daily activities and promote their independence.
- Company: Join The Kent Autistic Trust, a leading provider of support for autistic individuals in Kent.
- Benefits: Enjoy paid training, 28 days holiday, discounts, and opportunities for overtime.
- Other info: Flexible shifts and a chance to grow within a caring community.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while working in a supportive and rewarding environment.
- Qualifications: A manual driving license is essential; compassion and a positive attitude are key.
The predicted salary is between 25812 - 30000 £ per year.
Location
Ashford
Working Hours
Job Reference
02/10/26JR
28 days per annum
Closing Date
30-Oct-26
Support Worker
Make a Difference Every Day
Are you looking for a genuinely rewarding role where your work has a real impact? Join Kent Autistic Trust, an organisation with services rated Good and Outstanding, and become part of a team dedicated to promoting choice, independence, and dignity.
As a Support Worker, you'll do more than provide support. You'll empower autistic adults to achieve their goals, develop life skills, build confidence, and live fulfilling lives within their communities.
Working as part of a supportive and passionate team, you'll help create safe, person-centred environments where people are encouraged to make their own choices, maintain their independence, and thrive.
If you're compassionate, committed, and motivated by making a positive difference, we'd love to hear from you.
Meet the Team:
Our Jemmett Road site offers superb residential accommodation for 5 adults with Autism. Everyone has their own room which they have decorated and chosen the furnishings themselves with help from their staff team. There are shared communal areas which include a lovely large garden and a sensory room for all to enjoy. Our residents are really active and love to go on lots of different adventures visiting a variety of locations to explore. Participate in a wide range of activities such as visiting theme parks and going on rides, going to the pub, eating out, shopping, baking, listening to music, and socialising with other people.
Shift Pattern:
You will work on a 3-week rolling rota, so you can plan your life around your shifts!
Early shifts: 7:00am 4:00pm
Late shifts: 4:00pm 10:00pm
Tasks / Responsibilities of a Support Worker (may include but not limited to):
- Drive a mobility car or service vehicle. Manual License required (ESSENTIAL)
- Working with individuals who can display stressed behaviours, mental health issues, hurting self or others, running away, throwing things, swearing, shouting and damaging property.
- Support individuals within the community in activities such as bike rides, long walks & shopping.
- Administering medication
- Assisting individuals with personal care and hygiene
- Be confident & experienced in lone working.
- Staff in CQC Registered and Supported Living services are required to undertake sleep-in shifts and receive an allowance, topped up to NLW
- Household management tasks including cooking, cleaning etc.
- Uphold their privacy, confidentially and dignity.
- Handle money to shop, going to the bank etc.
- Working with and supporting individuals with additional needs, such as epilepsy, pica, learning disabilities.
- To form good working relationships with other members of staff across different services.
- Ensuring written records are correctly maintained.
- Staff in CQC Registered and Supported Living services are required to undertake sleep-in shifts and receive an allowance, topped up to NLW where appropriate.
Qualities of a Support Worker:
- An ability to think on your feet and problem solve.
- Understanding everyone's abilities and support needs.
- Promoting independence and choice
- Promoting equality, diversity & inclusion
- Form good working relationships with other members of staff.
- A commitment to continuous personal development and learning.
Benefits We Offer you as a Support Worker:
We offer many benefits, which include some salary sacrifice arrangements, although some benefits are dependent on a minimum earnings threshold:
- Paid DBS Check
- 28 days holiday, plus option to buy 5 extra days pa (Pro Rata for Part Time Positions)
- Company Sick Pay after 12 months service
- Some meals provided, depending on shifts
- Long Service and Contribution Recognition Awards
- Pension (after 3 months)
- Employee Assistance Programme, with counselling services
- Significant Retail and Leisure Discount Scheme that could save staff an average of £1,000 pa
- Discounted Gym Membership
- Financial Well-being Scheme (loans and savings)
- Additional Sleep In Shifts may be available
- Opportunities to pick up additional voluntary casual shifts at enhanced rates
- Superb paid training
About the Trust:
Supporting over 80 people in Medway and across Kent, The Kent Autistic Trust provides a wide range of services designed to meet diverse needs of autistic people and people with Associated Neuro developmental conditions. We provide residential homes, supported living accommodation, day resource services, respite, and outreach services. Ensuring the voice of those we support is actively listened to, working for us often means that no two days are the same, but the care and support we give is of consistently high quality, with CQC rating all our services good, and many outstanding.
Our Values and Commitment:
KAT is committed to providing high quality supports designed around individual abilities, needs and choices. KAT is committed to promoting independence and inclusion within communities. KAT believes everyone is able to make their own individual contribution. KAT seeks to work in partnership with all relevant parties but in particular with the individual themselves.
We seek Support Workers who really value every person, whether it's the people we support, their families, carers, or other staff by respecting their priorities, needs, abilities and limits.
We hope you are one of them!
We do not accept applications made via agencies for Support Workers.
Please find attached a copy of our Privacy Notice. Or a copy can be found on our website.
We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if a suitable candidate is found or experiencing a high volume of applications.
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Support Worker in Ashford employer: Kent Autistic Trust
At Kent Autistic Trust, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer dedicated to making a positive impact in the lives of autistic adults and those with neurodevelopmental conditions. Our supportive team culture fosters personal and professional growth, offering competitive salaries, generous holiday allowances, and a range of employee benefits including staff discounts and an employee assistance programme. Located in Medway, our welcoming environment encourages meaningful connections and provides opportunities for engaging activities, ensuring that every day is rewarding and fulfilling for both our staff and the individuals we support.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Support Worker in Ashford
✨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 Kent Autistic Trust.
✨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 Kent Autistic Trust!
✨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 Kent Autistic Trust, 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 Kent Autistic Trust 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 Ashford
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 Kent Autistic Trust:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Kent Autistic Trust! 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 Kent Autistic Trust
✨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.
