Lead Care & Support Worker - Lifestyles Community Services in Herne Bay, Kent

About us

Caring since 1946, Strode Park Foundation provides vital care and support services, supported living opportunities and day and leisure services for young people and adults with a range of disabilities across Kent. Our values of Care, Inspire and Together underpin everything we do, and we are very proud to employ truly inspirational people who make our care settings a remarkable place to work.

About the Role

Are you ready to lead with compassion, inspire a team and help young adults live with greater confidence, independence and joy? This is more than a care role — it’s a chance to make every shift meaningful.

We’re looking for a warm, motivated and reliable Lead Care and Support Worker to join Strode Park Foundation and support young adults to feel safe, valued, included and empowered. If you’re passionate about person-centred care and ready to take the next step in your career, we’d love to welcome you to our team.

Working 39 hours per week (08:00 - 21:00), you will be paid at a rate of £13.86 per hour.

Job Opportunity

Why this role matters

At Lifestyles Community Services (LCS), you’ll help create positive, safe and uplifting experiences for young adults with disabilities. You’ll be a trusted presence for service users, a supportive guide for colleagues and an important part of a team that celebrates each person’s choices, strengths and ambitions. In this role, you will:

• Lead by example, helping the team deliver consistently high standards of care and support.

• Support young adults to build confidence, develop skills and enjoy meaningful everyday experiences.

• Offer calm, practical guidance to colleagues so everyone feels supported to provide the best possible care.

• Help ensure medication is ordered, stored, audited and administered safely alongside senior colleagues.

• Use hoists and moving and transferring techniques safely, always promoting dignity, comfort and independence.

• Keep accurate Medication Administration Records (MAR) charts and care documentation.

You’ll be supported from day one with a full induction, regular training and development opportunities, giving you the confidence to grow, lead and progress in a rewarding care career.

The Coach House offers respite and residential care for young adults with disabilities in a fully accessible, lively and welcoming setting just behind Strode Park House. It is a place where young people are supported to feel safe, included and encouraged to try new experiences — from continuing education and attending college to enjoying community activities and accessible holidays. Support is tailored through person-centred care plans, so every young person receives care that reflects their individual needs, choices and goals. For further information, please see on our website.

LCS provides care 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, including weekends and bank holidays, so reliability and flexibility are important. We are proud to be a ‘Flex from First’ employer and will consider all requests for flexible working. Please talk to us at interview about the flexibility you need.

Company Benefits

• Competitive Rates of Pay
• Paid Disclosure and Barring Service Check
• Employer Pension Contributions
• Free Flu Jab
• Free Parking
• Refer a friend bonus
• Strode Lottery
• Staff Council
• Flexible Hours
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Staff Newsletter and updates
• Staff Awards

Essential Skills

About you

We’re looking for someone who brings kindness, confidence and a genuine commitment to helping others thrive. If you don’t meet every point but believe you have the right values and potential, we’d still encourage you to apply. Ideally, you will:

• Have direct or indirect experience of disability or supporting people with disabilities.

• Hold a Level 3 Diploma in Health & Social Care, or be willing to work towards this qualification.

• Be able to communicate clearly and appropriately, both verbally and in writing, with people inside and outside the Foundation.

• Be confident using your own initiative while also working well as part of a team.

• Be flexible and able to meet the working pattern needed for this role.

Previous supervisory experience would be helpful, but your attitude, values and commitment to outstanding care are what matter most.

Ready to apply?

If you’re ready to make a genuine difference, support young adults to enjoy life more fully and grow your career with a caring organisation, we’d love to hear from you. Apply today and take your next step with Strode Park Foundation.

Where we receive high numbers of applications, we may close vacancies early. If you think this is the right opportunity for you, please don't delay in applying!

DEI Statement

Strode Park Foundation (“Strode Park”) is fully committed to encouraging equality, diversity and inclusion among our workforce and the elimination of unlawful and unfair discrimination. Strode Park truly values the differences that a diverse workforce brings to our organisation.

Our aim is for our workforce to be truly representative of all sections of society and for our service users and each employee to feel respected and able to give their best.

Strode Park will not discriminate because of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race (which includes colour, nationality and ethnic or national origins), religion or belief, *** or sexual orientation. It