At a Glance
- Tasks: Support individuals with learning disabilities to promote independence and wellbeing.
- Company: Milestones Trust, a charity dedicated to high-quality care.
- Benefits: 30 days annual leave, flexible working, and ongoing training opportunities.
- Other info: Join a supportive team and enjoy excellent career growth potential.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while developing your career.
- Qualifications: Empathy, communication skills, and experience in care or support roles.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
Our goal is simple: to work collectively to deliver high quality care and support to individuals with complex needs and a range of physical and learning difficulties, promoting independence, choice and positive communication to enable them to achieve their hopes, goals and aspirations and maximise their quality of life.
About the Role
We are looking for experienced, passionate Support Workers to join our team of dedicated staff, as we move forward to achieve our goal of developing a comprehensive care and support service.
What We Offer
- Flexible shift patterns tailored around the needs of the people we support
- Opportunities for part-time, full-time or zero hours
- A supportive team environment
- Ongoing training and development
Note: Applicants must be able to work flexibly to meet the needs of the service and the individuals we support. The role will involve some evenings, weekends, and lone working, so confidence, initiative, and self-motivation are essential. There may also be waking nights or sleep-ins.
While some services do not require staff to be drivers, however, to be a driver and hold a full, clean, UK driving licence is an essential requirement in some roles/services. Some services require female only applicants. In those cases, the post fulfils the requirements of a Genuine Occupational Qualification and is therefore exempt under the Equality and Diversity Act 2010.
Shift patterns, essential criteria and experience needed will depend on the individual service. Your skills and attributes and the service needs and requirements will be explored during interview.
Key Responsibilities
- To support the emotional, spiritual, physical, medical wellbeing and the material needs of the individual
- Deliver person-centred, trauma-informed support tailored to individual needs
- Empower individuals to make everyday choices and key life decisions
- Promote independence, wellbeing, confidence, and personal growth
- Assist with daily living skills including self-care, budgeting, and maintaining a home
- Encourage and support meaningful relationships and social inclusion within the community
- Monitor wellbeing and respond appropriately to changes, risks, or challenging situations
- Develop, follow, and contribute to person-centred support plans and risk assessments
- Maintain accurate records and documentation
- Work collaboratively with families, colleagues, and other professionals
- Safely support and administer medication in line with training and policy
- Complete required training and adhere to organisational standards
About You
We are looking for someone who:
- Communicates with empathy, clarity, and emotional intelligence
- Has knowledge of Autism
- Demonstrates compassion, kindness, and understanding
- Is resilient, calm under pressure, and able to respond to challenging situations
- Builds positive relationships and works effectively both independently and as part of a team
- Is organised, reliable, and able to manage workload effectively
- Is self-motivated and proactive in their approach to work
- Is committed to safeguarding, equality, diversity, and inclusion
- Is confident using IT systems and recording information accurately
- Is eager to learn, grow, and adapt within the role
- Holds GCSE Maths and English (or equivalent), or able to demonstrate a good level of both
- Work or voluntary experience supporting people in care and/or with complex needs
- Knowledge of supporting individuals with learning disabilities, Autism and behaviours of concern would be advantageous
Our Services
We are recruiting across three learning disabilities services:
- Carroll Close: Is a supported living service for two individuals who each live in their own self-contained flat within a converted house. Both people we support have complex needs, and as a Support Worker you will follow clear, structured support plans to ensure consistent, person-centred care.
- Chaucer Close (drivers preferred but not essential): Is a supported living service for two young men who have a range of health and support needs. They enjoy a variety of social activities. Their support is delivered on a 1:1 and 2:1 basis.
- Cherry Orchard (female staff only, drivers essential): Is a supported living service for two young women who have a range of health and support needs. They enjoy a variety of social activities. Their support is delivered on a 1:1 and 2:1 basis.
At Milestones Trust we recognise that without the hard work, commitment and passion of our staff, we wouldn’t be the charity that we are today. In return, we are committed to rewarding you with a competitive pay and benefits package including:
- 30 days’ annual leave, including recognised public holidays
- Learning and development to support your career growth
- Nationally recognised qualifications, from entry‑level care to management
- Flexible working, with rotas provided in advance
- Occupational Sick Pay after two years, increasing with service
- Health Cash Plan after probation, offering at least £695 cashback for health treatments (dental, optical, therapies, maternity/paternity, prescriptions)
- Enhanced maternity and paternity pay
- Free enhanced DBS check
- Dayforce Wallet, giving you access to your earnings before payday
- Employee referral scheme with financial rewards
- Employee Assistance Programme from day one, offering confidential 24/7 support
- Company pension scheme to help grow your retirement savings
We pride ourselves with being able to offer staff opportunities to develop and progress their careers within the Trust.
Apply Today
If you're passionate about supporting people and want to be part of a service that truly makes a difference, we’d love to hear from you.
For an informal chat about the role or if you have any questions before applying, please contact Service Manager Kevin Whelan on 07353 191197 or Service Coordinators Dorota Freeman on 07787 094843 or Eve Hawrylo on 07392 288382.
Support Worker - Learning Disabilities - Swindon employer: Milestone Trust
At Milestones Trust, we are dedicated to creating a supportive and empowering work environment for our Support Workers in Swindon. With flexible shift patterns, ongoing training, and a commitment to employee growth, we ensure that our staff can thrive while making a meaningful impact on the lives of individuals with learning disabilities. Our competitive benefits package, including generous annual leave and health cash plans, reflects our appreciation for the hard work and passion of our team members.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Support Worker - Learning Disabilities - Swindon
✨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 Milestone Trust.
✨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 Milestone Trust!
✨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 Milestone Trust, 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 Milestone Trust 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 - Learning Disabilities - Swindon
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 Milestone Trust:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Milestone Trust! 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 Milestone Trust
✨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.
