At a Glance
- Tasks: Support individuals with learning disabilities and mental health needs in a person-centred way.
- Company: Join L&Q Living, an award-winning housing association dedicated to community welfare.
- Benefits: Full-time role with training, career progression, and a supportive team environment.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive workplace with excellent growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while building a rewarding career.
- Qualifications: Passion for helping others; NVQ 2/3 in Health and Social Care preferred but not essential.
Contract Type: Permanent, Full Time - 37 hours per week
Grade: 3
Reporting Office/Working Location: Mental Health Service (Redbridge or Waltham Forest)
Persona: Site Based Worker - Contractual hours to be worked from allocated site, with ad hoc office attendance as required
Working Pattern: Rota basis - 0900 – 1700 (Monday through Sunday), 0800 – 1600 (Monday through Sunday), 1500 – 2200 (Monday through Sunday), Sleep-in (2200 – 0800), Wake-in night where applicable
Closing Date: 3rd August 2026
Interview Dates: To be Confirmed
Interview Format: 2 stage interview, 1st stage via MS Teams, 2nd stage in person at Stratford office
Join our Waltham and Redbridge Team at L&Q Living:
We are looking for a passionate and enthusiastic Support Worker to join our Waltham Forest and Redbridge sheltered housing, providing a person-centred support service for people with learning disabilities, mental health and/or autism. At L&Q Living, we believe that being a caring person who shares our values and likes helping others is far more important than experience. Some of our best support workers have come straight from college, university or from other sectors such as customer service. If you possess the right attitude and values, we will provide the necessary training.
Your impact in the role:
- Resident Advocacy: Ensure residents’ voices are heard and their needs are effectively represented during meetings with professionals and agencies.
- Promote Independence: Help residents develop life skills for independent living, from managing daily tasks to engaging in community activities.
- Housing & Scheme Support: Monitor repairs, conduct regular health and safety inspections, liaise with contractors and fire risk assessors, and assist with estate checks to maintain a safe and well‑maintained environment.
- Record Keeping: Maintain accurate support plans, risk assessments, and daily notes. Ensure all documentation is accessible using basic IT tools.
- Problem‑Solving and Crisis Management: Be alert and capable of addressing problems independently, make effective crisis management interventions and elevate issues when required.
- Recovery‑based interventions and Support: Be able to support with recovery as well as relapse and advocate for necessary treatment.
- Team Collaboration: Work closely with colleagues, external professionals, and stakeholders to deliver high‑quality, personalised support.
What you’ll bring:
- NVQ 2/3 Diploma in Health and Social Care or willing to work towards it (Essential)
- Knowledge of mental health diagnosis, presentation and support.
- Recovery model & promoting independence
- Excellent communication (verbal and written) and interpersonal skills for maintaining accurate documentation and effective engagement with residents, their families, and professionals.
- Knowledge of health and safety requirements, including lone working procedures and safeguarding to maintain a safe environment.
- Person‑Centred approach with a genuine interest in supporting people with learning disabilities, mental health and/or autism including supporting residents with social inclusion and community engagement
- Proficient IT skills to update records on organisational databases and manage day‑to‑day administrative tasks efficiently including record keeping.
- Ability to collaborate and work well in a diverse team environment, valuing the input of others.
- Confidence in working independently
- Knowledge of Tenancy sustainment and housing support
- Safeguarding and risk‑management, crisis and incident management
- Medication support and Health & wellbeing promotion
- Night support (sleep‑in & wake in night where applicable)
Expected Values and Behaviours:
- Respect and dignity.
- Compassion and empathy.
- Recovery‑focused practice.
- Trauma‑informed approaches.
- Equality, diversity, and inclusion.
- Professionalism and confidentiality.
- Person‑centred support.
DBS: For this post the successful candidate will need to apply for or be in possession of an Enhanced Disclosure Barring Service certificate (DBS) to enable them to work within the team.
About L&Q: We’re one of the UK’s leading housing associations and developers. We were founded on a simple belief: high quality housing is vital for people’s health, happiness and security. Everyone deserves a quality home that gives them the chance to live a better life. 250,000 people call our properties ‘home’, and we’re proud to serve diverse communities across London, the South East and North West of England. People are at the heart of our business and our success depends on employing the best people and getting the best from them.
Support Worker - Waltham & Redbrige in London employer: L&Q
As a Homeownership Account Lead, you will thrive in a supportive and dynamic work environment that values collaboration and innovation. Our hybrid working model offers flexibility, while our commitment to employee growth ensures you have access to ongoing training and development opportunities. Join us in making a meaningful impact in the community, all while enjoying competitive benefits and a culture that prioritises work-life balance.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Support Worker - Waltham & Redbrige 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 L&Q.
✨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 L&Q!
✨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 L&Q, 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 L&Q 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 - Waltham & Redbrige 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 L&Q:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to L&Q! 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 L&Q
✨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.
