At a Glance
- Tasks: Support adults with learning disabilities to achieve personal goals and promote independence.
- Company: Join Oaklea, a caring organisation dedicated to making a positive impact.
- Benefits: Competitive pay, 28 days holiday, private healthcare, and training opportunities.
- Other info: Flexible shifts and a supportive team environment await you.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while growing personally and professionally.
- Qualifications: Positive attitude and a desire to support individuals; experience is a plus but not essential.
The predicted salary is between 13.45 - 13.45 £ per hour.
Salary Details: £13.45 per hour
Vacancy Type: Permanent (Requires a full DBS)
Hours Per Week: 30 hours per week
About Oaklea
At Oaklea we work in partnership with the individuals we support (our customers). We strive to support people within the framework of the seven keys to Citizenship; Love, Freedom, Life, Purpose, Help, Money and Home. Every employee wants a purposeful job - to do something meaningful. At Oaklea, we can give you that. You will have opportunities to develop as a person, colleague, leader and advocate. You’ll make new friends and feel inspired to reach your potential. We will ask a lot of you - but you’ll get back so much more. With us, it is never ‘just a job’. In return for your hard work and passion, we can give you real meaning and purpose in your work.
Job Advert
We are looking for new support workers to join our team in Sherburn, Co.Durham who provide care and support to Adults with Learning Disabilities. We’re looking for someone who genuinely enjoys connecting with people and helping them find the right learning pathway. If you’ve supported individuals with conditions such as epilepsy, cerebral palsy, or dysphasia, that experience will be a real advantage in this role, but is not essential. You’ll be someone who works well as part of a team but is equally confident working independently when required. Flexibility is important, as the role may involve working a variety of shifts, including days, sleep‑ins, and waking nights depending on service needs.
You will be expected to support Customers to meet their personal care needs, including administration of medication. It is vital that staff respect the individual and respond in a positive manner to meet each Customer's personal need. Customers will need support in setting and achieving their own personal goals and expect the staff who support them to be encouraging, enabling and promoting life skills. You need to be forward thinking and have a positive outlook to life. The Customers will look to you for motivation, guidance and direction; they want to be given the opportunity to live a full and rewarding life. You will be expected to encourage and offer choice and promote independence as well as promoting positive risk taking. You will be required to support Customers to access the local community and to try new experiences. Some of the Customers enjoy specific hobbies but there is so much more they would like to do and as a Support Worker you can help to make their lives productive. Support will also be required for each person in areas such as health, budgeting and domestic tasks.
You do not need to have experience, but it is essential that you share our values. As long as you have a positive attitude and want to improve the lives of those with a learning disability, we will support you with progression opportunities throughout your career with us. Driving licence is preferred but not essential.
To apply please send your up to date CV to [email address]. An Enhanced DBS will be required for each successful candidate (Paid for by Oaklea, T&C apply).
Benefits
- As well as knowing that what we do is making a positive difference to people’s lives, you will receive fair pay and have access to a wide range of rewards and benefits as one of our employees.
- 28 days holiday (including bank holidays) increasing with long service.
- Pension contributions into NEST Scheme on a salary sacrifice basis meaning NI savings.
- £500 onboarding payment.
- Private Health Care scheme funded by Oaklea.
- Free access to round the clock employee assistance program for advice and support.
- Length of Service Awards.
- Access to foundation and bespoke training and development.
*T&C's apply based on contract.
Support Worker – Sherburn, County Durham employer: Oaklea Trust
At Oaklea, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering meaningful and rewarding employment as a Support Worker in Sherburn, County Durham. Our supportive work culture fosters personal and professional growth, with opportunities for bespoke training and development, alongside competitive benefits such as private healthcare and generous holiday allowances. Join us to make a real difference in the lives of individuals with learning disabilities while enjoying a fulfilling career that values your contributions and encourages you to reach your potential.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Support Worker – Sherburn, County Durham
✨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 Oaklea 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 Oaklea 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 Oaklea 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 Oaklea 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 – Sherburn, County Durham
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 Oaklea Trust:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Oaklea 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 Oaklea 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.
