At a Glance
- Tasks: Support young people with autism and learning disabilities in their daily lives.
- Company: Join Macintyre, a national charity making a real difference.
- Benefits: Enjoy six weeks' annual leave, health plans, and career development opportunities.
- Other info: Dynamic training support and a commitment to diversity and inclusion.
- Why this job: Be a superhero without a cape and shape futures every day.
- Qualifications: No experience needed, just a positive attitude and a willingness to learn.
The predicted salary is between 24000 - 36000 £ per year.
Be the Reason Someone Believes in Themselves
At Macintyre, we don’t just support young people with autism and learning disabilities. We walk beside them as they grow, explore, and find their place in the world. And now, we’re looking for people like you to join us in Leighton Buzzard. You won’t just be filling a job - you’ll be shaping futures.
Who You’ll Support
Imagine a house full of energy, laughter, music, and quiet victories. Ryan might ask you to join him for a nail-painting session before planning your next mini road trip. Liam might need a cheerleader while he conquers the bowling lanes or tries something brand new. Ben is all about the thrill trampoline parks, the outdoors, or anything that sparks a smile. Emily has dreams and you’ll be the one cheering her on, step by step, as she smashes every goal.
What You’ll Do
- You’ll be part mentor, part coach, part sidekick and sometimes just a quiet, reassuring presence.
- Support daily routines with dignity, humour, and heart.
- Plan and share experiences that build confidence and independence.
- Create a home where young people feel seen, heard, and valued.
- Be the person they can count on in the highs, the lows, and everything in between.
Why This Role is Different
We don’t do tick-box care. We do person-first, purpose-driven, radically human support. At Macintyre, we build real relationships. You’ll have the time, space, and backing to be part of someone’s world not just their week. And don’t worry whether you’ve worked in care for years or are brand new to support work, if you’ve got the heart, we’ve got the training.
About you
Experience isn’t always necessary. If you have the right attitude, good customer service skills, share our values and are willing to learn, you’re likely to be a great fit. We are looking for people who celebrate differences, and we strive to make all our staff feel included, valued and respected.
Important Requirement: You must hold a clean, full UK manual driving licence, as you will be responsible for driving the service vehicles.
About us
MacIntyre is a national charity which supports over 1,200 people with a learning disability and/or autism. We were founded in 1966 by the visionary parent of a child with disabilities and have been growing steadily ever since. We celebrate and develop everyone’s unique gifts, talents and contributions.
Training and Development
At Macintyre we fully support your training and development. We know it can be daunting to start a new job, and not everyone learns the same way, so throughout your probation we will provide you with a mixture of eLearning, face-to-face training and mentoring support whilst on the job. But it doesn’t stop there - throughout your career with us you will have access to our own dedicated in house Learning and Development team, Quality Specialists and HR Teams. These teams, along with your Manager, will provide you with opportunities to learn and develop professionally as well as enabling and supporting you to achieve professional qualifications and career progression opportunities - all free of charge.
Pay and Rewards
We provide a range of benefits to reward and thank our staff which includes:
- Six weeks’ annual leave including statutory public holidays.
- Workplace Pension scheme – MacIntyre will contribute 3% of your salary to all eligible employees.
- MacIntyre Staff Savings Scheme.
- Employee Assistance Plan (EAP) to support your health and wellbeing.
- Health Cash Plan which provides money back on core health treatments such as: optical, dental, physiotherapy, chiropody (at reduced cost).
- MacIntyre Sick Pay (qualifying period).
- Life assurance scheme offering valuable benefits to your dependents.
- MacIntyre Rewards Scheme which recognises and rewards staff.
- MacIntyre Perks which offers up to 6% discount off leading retailers including Tesco, Curry/PC World, Costa and many more.
- Access to the Blue Light Card which offers thousands of amazing discounts online and on the high street for emergency and social care staff.
- Enhanced DBS Certificate (cost paid by MacIntyre).
How to apply
If this job sounds like the right fit for you, click on the Apply button on the MacIntyre website, complete some brief details and upload your CV. If you would prefer to complete a manual application form, call us and we will send an application form to you. Please note: we reserve the right to close this advert early if we have received a sufficient number of applications, so don’t delay, apply today.
Safer Recruitment and Diversity statement
MacIntyre safeguards and promotes the welfare of the children, young people and adults we support. Therefore we work with successful candidates to complete appropriate checks prior to joining. MacIntyre is committed to promoting equality, encouraging diversity and embracing inclusion among our workforce. We want our workforce to be truly representative of all sections of society and the people we support.
COVID-19 Information
We will take every precaution to keep you and everyone involved safe during the recruitment process and your employment with MacIntyre. We encourage all our employees to follow Government advice and get vaccinated against COVID and flu.
Support Worker in Heath and Reach employer: MacIntyre
At Macintyre, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that values every team member's unique contributions. Located in Leighton Buzzard, our supportive work culture fosters personal and professional growth through comprehensive training and development opportunities, ensuring you feel empowered to make a real difference in the lives of young people with autism and learning disabilities. With generous benefits including six weeks' annual leave, a workplace pension scheme, and access to exclusive discounts, you'll find a rewarding career where your efforts are truly appreciated.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Support Worker in Heath and Reach
✨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 MacIntyre.
✨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 MacIntyre!
✨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 MacIntyre, 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 MacIntyre 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 Heath and Reach
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 MacIntyre:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to MacIntyre! 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 MacIntyre
✨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.
