At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and advocate for individuals in their daily care, ensuring a safe and inclusive environment.
- Company: Join Luton Council, dedicated to improving lives and building a poverty-free community by 2040.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working hours, generous leave, and a supportive work-life balance with great perks.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in social care while developing your career in a passionate team.
- Qualifications: Experience in community work or social care is essential; QCF Level 3 in Care is preferred.
- Other info: This role requires a criminal record disclosure but does not automatically disqualify applicants.
The predicted salary is between 22400 - 25600 £ per year.
Salary: £26,409 - £28,624 a year
Hours per week: 37 or 20 hours a week
Contract type: Permanent
Are you a compassionate and experienced professional looking to make a difference in social care? Luton Council is looking for a Senior Support Worker to join our dedicated team. This role involves advocating for individuals’ needs, supporting their daily care experience, and ensuring a safe, inclusive, and respectful environment. In this rewarding and varied role, you will take the lead in delivering high-quality support that puts people first.
Key Responsibilities Include
- Individual Advocacy: Act as a strong advocate for individuals, ensuring their needs and preferences are respected in all aspects of their day care experience.
- Team Collaboration: Work effectively both independently and as part of a team, ensuring seamless care delivery and support.
- Equality in Service: Recognise and address any discrimination in service delivery or in the workplace, taking appropriate action as needed.
- Community Knowledge: Apply your understanding of the challenges facing individuals with learning disabilities and work to meet their unique needs.
Essential Skills and Requirements:
- Experience: Demonstrable background in community work or social care services, in either a paid or voluntary capacity.
- Flexible Working: Your hours will be between 9 – 5 and flexibility with start and end times to meet service needs, however, your manager will discuss with you your confirmed start and end times. In a case of service wide disruption, willingness to work shifts, including split-shifts, sleep-in, and waking night duties.
- Mobility: Ability to travel across multiple locations to support service demands.
- Health & Safety: Physical capability to lift, move, and handle individuals and equipment using appropriate aids, in line with Health and Safety regulations after training.
- Communication: Strong spoken English skills to effectively converse with the public and provide accurate advice.
- Education and training: Have or be willing to work towards a QCF Level 3 in Care.
About Us
Our ambitious Luton 2040 Vision – that no-one in Luton will have to live in poverty – is at the heart of everything we do. We recognise that our people are remarkable, talented, committed and passionate about serving our residents. The people of Luton depend heavily on this council – and that means our workforce! Are you ready to realise the remarkable and help us deliver our vision? We welcome applications from all sections of the community and are committed to developing a workforce that reflects the diversity of our borough.
Application process
Because of the nature of this job, it will be necessary for the appropriate level of criminal record disclosure to be undertaken. This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore applicants are required to declare all unspent cautions and convictions; and also any adult cautions (simple or conditional), and spent convictions that are not protected as defined by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (as amended in 2020). A person’s criminal record will not in itself prevent a person from being appointed to this post. Applicants will not be refused posts because of offences which are not relevant to, and do not place them at or make them a risk in, the role for which they are applying. However in the event of the employment being taken up, any failure to disclose such offence, as detailed above, will result in dismissal or disciplinary action by the Authority. On occasions, we may close a vacancy early due to a very high number of applications being received.
Additional Information
- From 25 to 32 days’ annual leave: linked to length of service and grade.
- Buying annual leave scheme: buy up to 20 days additional annual leave.
- Career Pathways: step up in your career or move into a specialist area.
- Pension scheme: with generous employer contributions of up to 20.2 per cent (at July 2023) and 3x salary death in service grant.
- Generous relocation package: up to £8,000 (subject to eligibility).
- Employee Assistance Programme: a free, 24/7 confidential counselling and wellbeing support service available to all employees, their partner or spouse and dependent children over 16 still living at home.
- Work/life balance: flexible working options including working from home where possible. We welcome requests for flexible working arrangements including part-time hours and alternative working patterns.
- Training and support: unlimited access to development courses, mentoring and support and clear career pathways.
- Staff offers: includes discounts on your MOT, gym and fitness, restaurants and salons.
- Arriva Travel Club: great value savings on local bus travel.
- Friday Funday Socials - One Friday every 2 months where we encourage our staff to get together to socialise after work.
Senior Support Worker employer: Luton Borough Council
Contact Detail:
Luton Borough Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Support Worker
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with Luton Council's values and the Luton 2040 Vision. Understanding their commitment to social care and community support will help you align your approach during interviews and discussions.
✨Tip Number 2
Highlight your experience in community work or social care during networking events or informal meet-ups. Engaging with professionals in the field can provide insights and potentially lead to referrals.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss specific scenarios where you've advocated for individuals' needs. Real-life examples will demonstrate your capability and passion for the role, making you a memorable candidate.
✨Tip Number 4
Stay updated on current issues facing individuals with learning disabilities. Being knowledgeable about these challenges will show your commitment to the role and your ability to address them effectively.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Support Worker
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Before applying, make sure you fully understand the responsibilities and requirements of the Senior Support Worker position. Tailor your application to highlight your relevant experience in community work or social care services.
Highlight Your Advocacy Skills: Since individual advocacy is a key responsibility, emphasise any past experiences where you successfully advocated for someone's needs. Use specific examples to demonstrate your ability to support individuals effectively.
Showcase Team Collaboration: Mention instances where you have worked as part of a team in previous roles. Highlight your ability to collaborate and communicate effectively with colleagues to ensure seamless care delivery.
Address Equality and Inclusion: Discuss your understanding of equality in service delivery. Provide examples of how you have recognised and addressed discrimination in your past roles, showcasing your commitment to creating an inclusive environment.
How to prepare for a job interview at Luton Borough Council
✨Show Your Compassion
As a Senior Support Worker, compassion is key. Be prepared to share specific examples from your past experiences where you advocated for individuals' needs or made a positive impact on someone's life.
✨Demonstrate Team Collaboration
Highlight your ability to work both independently and as part of a team. Discuss situations where you successfully collaborated with colleagues to deliver seamless care, showcasing your teamwork skills.
✨Understand Community Challenges
Familiarise yourself with the challenges faced by individuals with learning disabilities. Be ready to discuss how your knowledge can help you meet their unique needs and improve their daily care experience.
✨Prepare for Flexibility
Since the role requires flexibility in working hours, be ready to discuss your availability and willingness to adapt to different shifts, including split-shifts and night duties, to meet service demands.