At a Glance
- Tasks: Guide and mentor care teams while supporting individuals with complex needs.
- Company: Join Mears Group, a leading housing and care provider in the UK.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, flexible hours, and perks like discounts and wellbeing support.
- Other info: Flexible schedule, excellent training, and opportunities for career growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in care, strong communication skills, and a full UK driving licence.
The predicted salary is between 29500 - 30500 £ per year.
Hourly rate: £14.22 plus mileage between calls
Location: Alva
Contract Type: 40 hours per week (flexible schedule based on weekly tasks)
About The Role
Mears Group is one of the UK’s leading housing and care providers, supporting both public and private sectors. With over 5,500 employees, we put people at the heart of everything we do. Our care teams in Macduff are dedicated to delivering high standards of support that enable individuals to live safely and independently in their own homes. We are currently recruiting for a Senior Support Worker to join our team. This is not a standard Monday to Friday, 9–5 role. Flexibility is essential and will be reciprocated. You’ll play a key role in mentoring care teams, overseeing service delivery, and supporting individuals with more complex needs.
Role Duties
- Supporting and guiding care staff to deliver high-quality, person-centred care
- Carrying out spot checks, audits and observations in service users’ homes
- Construct and implement initial care plans and complete regular reviews
- Attending meetings with social workers and other professionals
- Monitoring care standards and ensuring compliance with policies and legislation
- Maintaining confidentiality and safeguarding throughout the service
- Reporting concerns, incidents and progress to your line manager
- Participating in the on-call rota and providing emergency or holiday cover when needed
- On occasion, may be required to deliver direct care
- Promoting a safe working environment and contributing to team meetings
Key Criteria
- Previous experience in the care sector
- A full UK driving licence and access to your own vehicle
- Flexibility with working hours and a proactive approach
- Strong communication and leadership skills
- A commitment to delivering compassionate, respectful care
- An SVQ Level 2 qualification or above is desirable but not essential, as full training will be provided
Benefits
- Cost of PVG covered
- Mears Annual Family Fun Day for you and your family
- Volunteering Leave – Mears supports employees to undertake paid volunteering in the community, in support of our social value commitment
- Staff perks with Mears Rewards – discounts of up to 10% on weekly groceries, holidays, eye test vouchers, share save scheme, plus much more
- Family friendly policies
- Refer a friend scheme (total of up to £2000)
- Excellent training
- Pension scheme
- Cycle to work scheme
- Eye test vouchers
- Employee Assistance Programme – Access to free counselling service
- Wellbeing service – Access to trained mental health & wellbeing advisors
- Mears Rewards – A performance recognition platform whereby you can be rewarded in high street vouchers
All our roles require candidates to have the entitlement to work within the UK; Mears does not currently offer visa sponsorship. Candidates should be aware that all our roles are subject to relevant Background, Identity & Security checks before commencement of employment. At Mears Group, we are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive environment where everyone can thrive. We are a Disability Confident employer, valuing individuality and ensuring equal opportunities for all.
Senior Support Worker in Alva employer: Mears Group PLC
Mears Group is an exceptional employer, dedicated to putting people at the heart of everything we do. With a strong focus on employee wellbeing and development, we offer flexible working hours, comprehensive training, and a range of benefits including discounts, volunteering leave, and a supportive work culture that values diversity and inclusion. Join us in Alva, where you can make a meaningful impact while enjoying a rewarding career in care.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Support Worker in Alva
✨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 Mears Group PLC.
✨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 Mears Group PLC!
✨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 Mears Group PLC, 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 Mears Group PLC 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 Senior Support Worker in Alva
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 Mears Group PLC:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Mears Group PLC! 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 Mears Group PLC
✨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.
