At a Glance
- Tasks: Support adults with learning disabilities in horticulture and community activities.
- Company: Join a friendly team at the Horticultural Skills Unit, part of Northumberland County Council.
- Benefits: Enjoy 26 days annual leave, pension scheme, and employee wellbeing support.
- Other info: Experience a vibrant work culture with opportunities for personal development.
- Why this job: Make a real difference while working outdoors and nurturing plants.
- Qualifications: Good literacy and numeracy skills; horticultural knowledge is a plus but not essential.
The predicted salary is between 18900 - 23100 £ per year.
Are you passionate about making a real difference in people's lives? The Horticultural Skills Unit (HSU) is looking for a caring, enthusiastic and green fingered Care Worker to join our small, friendly and supportive team. We provide a vibrant, person-centred service for adults with learning disabilities, offering training and work experience in horticulture and other practical skills. We are open Monday to Thursday, 8.45am to 4.15pm, Friday, 8.45am – 3.45pm.
About the Role
As a Care Worker, you will play an important role in promoting the wellbeing, confidence and independence of the people we support. Your responsibilities will include:
- Supporting individuals with growing plants in greenhouses and gardens and with selling plants to our customers.
- Helping people access and enjoy opportunities within their local community.
- Promoting independence, creating opportunities for personal development, and facilitating positive interactions between those who use the service and members of the public.
- Acting as a keyworker and maintaining accurate, professional records.
Why Work at the HSU?
The HSU at Hepscott Park is long established (1985) and well known within the Morpeth area. We are next door to the very popular Garden Café. We are a small service with a family atmosphere and with strong links to the wider community. If you like flowers, vegetables, gardens, the outdoors and helping people, then this job could be for you. We would love you to have horticultural skills and qualifications, but if you don’t, some of our best horticulturalists are home grown, learning their skills on the job.
You will support people to take part in a wide range of horticultural and other practical work, including:
- Growing plants from seeds and cuttings in potting shed, greenhouses and polytunnels and selling our plants to our customers.
- Growing vegetables and soft fruit in our allotment area.
- Planting and maintaining our gardens and managing our small wild woodland.
- Making things with wood in our small workshop, making kindling.
- Social events including summer fair, cricket, BBQs and Christmas wreath workshops.
- Cooking with our home grown produce.
- Visiting gardens and other places of interest.
The HSU is all about co-production – working together with people. Every morning, in a short meeting, everyone chooses the work they are going to do that day. Every year, the people who use our service help shape what we do, and we encourage staff to bring their own interests, skills and ideas.
Who We're Looking For
We're looking for someone who:
- Has a good standard of education, with strong literacy and numeracy skills.
- Has a positive, flexible attitude and a genuine passion for supporting others.
- Can work effectively as part of a team and build positive relationships.
- Is willing to undertake training and uphold the highest standards of care.
- Has a passion for growing plants, with some working knowledge and experience of horticulture, particularly glasshouse work, and is happy to work outdoors and in a wide range of horticultural settings (desirable but not essential).
- Has DIY / woodworking skills (desirable but not essential).
- Holds a full driving licence and can drive the HSU people carrier (desirable but not essential).
What Our Team Says:
"The HSU is a wonderful place to work. It’s more than just a job. No two days are the same. I wish I had known about this job years ago!" Current Care Worker
Why choose us?
Northumberland County Council’s (NCC) vision is ‘Land of Great Opportunities’, for current and future generations. We believe there is no better place to live and work. We have some outstanding benefits and perks to offer you, including:
- 26 days annual leave plus public/bank holidays, rising to 31 days after 5 years of service (pro rata for part-time employees).
- Automatic enrolment into the Local Government Pension Scheme.
- A collaborative, supportive and forward-thinking environment where your leadership will have a lasting impact.
- Employee Wellbeing support for mental and Physical Health.
We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer. We operate a guaranteed interview scheme for disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria. This information will be treated as confidential and will only be used to check that you meet the essential requirements of the post.
Care worker employer: Northumberland County Council
Northumberland County Council is an exceptional employer dedicated to fostering an inclusive environment for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities. With a strong commitment to employee growth, the council offers generous benefits such as 26 days of annual leave, automatic enrolment in the Local Government Pension Scheme, and opportunities for professional development. Working at County Hall in Morpeth, you will be part of a collaborative culture that values innovation and community impact, making it a rewarding place to advance your career while making a meaningful difference.
Contact Details:
Northumberland County Council Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Care worker
✨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 Northumberland County Council.
✨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 Northumberland County Council!
✨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 Northumberland County Council, 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 Northumberland County Council 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 Care worker
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 Northumberland County Council:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Northumberland County Council! 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 Northumberland County Council
✨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.
