At a Glance
- Tasks: Support individuals with personal care and enjoy meaningful weekend activities together.
- Company: MacIntyre, a national charity dedicated to supporting people with learning disabilities and autism.
- Benefits: Six weeks annual leave, health cash plan, and discounts at leading retailers.
- Other info: Join a supportive team and gain valuable skills in a rewarding environment.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while fitting work around your studies.
- Qualifications: Kindness, patience, and a willingness to learn; no experience needed.
The predicted salary is between 12 - 14 £ per hour.
Support Workers: Make a difference Every Weekend
Location: Great Holm, Milton Keynes
Hours: Part time – 15 hours per week (Saturday and Sunday Only)
At MacIntyre, we believe great support starts with genuinely knowing the person. Founded in 1966 by the visionary parent of a child with disabilities, we are now a national charity supporting over 1,200 people with learning disabilities and/or autism. We have grown steadily over the decades by celebrating and developing everyone’s unique gifts, talents, and contributions, helping people live full, meaningful lives as part of their local communities.
We are looking for Support Workers who want a rewarding weekend role that fits around their weekday commitments, whether that's study or other responsibilities. You will be joining our kind, committed team in Great Holm, where we support people living across 16 self‑contained flats. Each flat is home to one to four people who value their independence, enjoy strong relationships, and love making the most of their weekends.
Some of the people we support say:
- “I like living here because I see my friends and girlfriend regularly and I like my flat.”
- “I like going to the cinema with staff.”
- “I like the parties and barbecues that everyone has!”
What Your Weekends Will Look Like
This is a hands‑on, people‑centred role where personal care and manual handling are a significant and essential part of everyday support. Support takes place both out in the community and within the flats. On Saturdays and Sundays, you will be there helping people enjoy their free time, alongside supporting their daily routines, well‑being, and personal care.
Your duties will involve:
- Providing personal care with dignity and respect, including washing, dressing, toileting, and continence support.
- Catheter care and catheter changes (full training provided).
- Manual handling, supporting people safely with mobility and transfers.
- Supporting medication, health routines, and overall well‑being.
- Spending meaningful weekend time with people, chatting, sharing activities, going on outings, and offering reassurance.
- Supporting diverse communication styles; some people are expressive, tactile, and seek physical reassurance, so confidence with appropriate, respectful physical interaction is important.
What You’ll Need:
- Availability to work both Saturdays and Sundays, covering a mix of early and late shifts.
- A kind, patient, and caring nature.
- Comfort and confidence with providing intimate personal care.
- A willingness to learn practical, hands‑on skills.
- A full UK manual/auto driving licence (essential).
No previous experience is required. We provide full, paid training covering personal care, catheter care, and manual handling. Some of the people we support are older, so an interest in health, well‑being, and dignity in care is a real advantage.
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 well‑being
- 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)
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.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Support Worker - Weekends Only
✨Get Involved in Community Events
Dive headfirst into community events and social work fairs in your area. These are great opportunities to connect with potential employers like MacIntyre, grab some insider info, and showcase your passion for social work. Plus, meeting people face-to-face can really make you stand out!
✨Join Social Work Networks
Tap into social work networks and online communities, like local charities and organisations. Engaging in discussions or volunteering can help you build a strong reputation and could lead to part-time roles just like the one at MacIntyre. The connections you make could be the key to landing your next opportunity!
✨Make Your Passion Shine
When approaching part-time roles, be sure to highlight your passion for social issues in conversations and informal chats. Bring your experiences to life through storytelling – this can resonate well with organisations looking for someone who genuinely cares about making a difference!
✨Keep an Eye on Local Job Boards
Part-time roles in social work might not always be advertised in the usual places. Keep checking local job boards or community centres for openings, and don't hesitate to apply directly through MacIntyre's website – we love seeing proactive candidates who take the initiative!
We think you need these skills to ace Support Worker - Weekends Only
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let your passion for social work shine through. Talk about why you're drawn to this field and how you've been involved in community service or support roles. We want to see your commitment and the heart you bring to the table!
Highlight Relevant Experience:Make sure to spotlight any hands-on experience you have! Whether it's internships, volunteering, or relevant coursework, detail how your past experiences relate to the role at MacIntyre. We love seeing candidates who have practical skills and a real understanding of social issues.
Certificates and Training Matter:If you've got any relevant certifications or training specific to social work (like safeguarding training or counselling qualifications), don’t forget to include these in your CV! These details can set you apart and show us you’re serious about your professional development.
Be Flexible with Your Availability:Since this is a part-time role, explain your availability clearly in your application. Let us know when you can start and how many hours you’re looking to work. Being upfront about your schedule will help us see how you fit into the team at MacIntyre.
How to prepare for a job interview at MacIntyre
✨Show Your Passion for Helping Others
In social work, it's all about your commitment to making a difference. Be ready to share specific experiences that highlight your passion for helping others, whether that's through volunteering, placements, or personal stories. We want to see that genuine drive during your chat with MacIntyre.
✨Know Your Social Work Theories
You might be quizzed on social work theories or models that inform your practice, like the person-in-environment approach. Brush up on these concepts and be prepared to discuss how you'd apply them in a practical setting. This could be a game changer in your interview for a Support Worker - Weekends Only at MacIntyre.
✨Flexibility and Availability are Key
As you're going for a part-time role, highlight your flexibility and how it would fit with the organisation's needs. Have examples ready that demonstrate your availability for various shifts or urgent situations—that's just gold for a social work role.
✨Prepare for a Situation-Based Discussion
Expect scenario-based questions where you'll need to demonstrate how you'd handle specific situations with clients or stakeholders. Think of a couple of real-life scenarios you've encountered and articulate your thought process. This will show MacIntyre that you're ready to hit the ground running in the Support Worker - Weekends Only role.
