At a Glance
- Tasks: Support individuals with learning disabilities in daily life and community activities.
- Company: Milestones Trust, a charity dedicated to supporting individuals with complex health needs.
- Benefits: Competitive pay, 30 days annual leave, flexible working, and career development opportunities.
- Other info: Join a passionate team in a fast-paced environment with excellent growth potential.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while gaining valuable experience.
- Qualifications: Experience in residential care preferred; must be kind, reliable, and willing to learn.
We are looking for kind, energetic, reliable and person-centred Support Workers to support eight individuals with learning disabilities and complex health needs. The role involves supporting people with all aspects of daily life, including personal care, medication administration and accessing the community. For waking night shifts, the role also involves providing safe and compassionate night-time support, including personal care, medication administration, night-time cleaning duties and medication stock checks.
About the Service
The service provides person-centred support in a safe and clean environment. It is a fast-paced home with a skilled staff team, supporting individuals with learning disabilities and complex health needs. It is located in the Park North area in Swindon.
Key Responsibilities
- Provide person-centred support that promotes independence, choice, dignity and wellbeing
- Support individuals with personal care in a respectful and compassionate way
- Administer medication safely in line with training, policies and procedures
- Support individuals to take part in community activities, appointments and social opportunities
- Communicate clearly with individuals, families, colleagues and professionals
- Contribute to maintaining a safe, clean and supportive living environment
- Complete regular welfare checks during the night, respond promptly to any support needs, and follow agreed care plans, risk assessments and recording procedures
- Carry out night-time cleaning duties and medication stock checks
- Work flexibly as part of a skilled team in a busy, fast-paced residential service
Requirements
- Previous experience working in a residential learning disabilities setting is essential.
- A driver is preferred, although this is not essential (this is for candidates interested in the daytime position).
- The successful candidate must be flexible and willing to learn.
About You
You will be flexible, person-centred, kind, energetic and reliable, with good common sense and strong listening and communication skills. You will be resilient, creative, adventurous and committed to supporting people to live fulfilling lives. You will also be calm, observant, confident working during the night, able to stay alert, and committed to supporting people to feel safe, comfortable and respected.
Training and Development
Full training will be provided, including an in-depth induction to the service, ongoing training and opportunities to develop further qualifications.
Working patterns:
- Support Worker during day shifts: Expected to work 5 days out of 7. Weekend working is essential, and flexibility is required to meet the needs of the service. Typical shift times are early shifts from 07:15 to 14:45 and late shifts from 14:15 to 21:45, although these may change depending on the needs of the service.
- Support Worker during night shifts: Expected to work 2 nights out of 7. Weekend working is essential, and flexibility is required to meet the needs of the service. Typical waking night shift times are 21:30 to 07:30, although these may change depending on the needs of the service.
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
For an informal discussion about the role, please contact Michelle White or Tracey Winter on 01793 533405. We reserve the right to close this vacancy early should we receive sufficient suitable applications. Early application is encouraged. Please note that any offer of employment will be subject to the Trust receiving evidence of your right to work in the UK. By applying for this role, you acknowledge that your personal data will be processed in accordance with our recruitment guidelines and applicable data protection laws. Please see our Privacy Notice for more details. Please refer to our Refer a Friend policy for full details of eligibility and terms. Milestones Trust is committed to the safeguarding and welfare of all the individuals that it supports, it expects the same commitment from all employees. If successful at interview an enhanced DBS check will take place. (Formerly CRB) A criminal record is not necessarily a barrier to recruitment. Committed to Equality and Diversity for all. Registered Charity No. 294377.
Support Worker - Learning Disabilities Service in Swindon employer: Milestones Trust
Milestones Trust is an exceptional employer, offering a nurturing work culture where support workers can thrive while making a meaningful impact in the lives of individuals with learning disabilities. Located in Swindon, the company provides extensive training and flexible shifts, ensuring that employees have ample opportunities for personal and professional growth in a collaborative environment dedicated to empowering lives.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Support Worker - Learning Disabilities Service in 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 Milestones 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 Milestones 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 Milestones 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 Milestones 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 Service in 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 Milestones Trust:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Milestones 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 Milestones 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.
