At a Glance
- Tasks: Support individuals in their daily lives, promoting independence and personal growth.
- Company: Optalis, a community-focused adult social care provider.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous leave, perks, and career development opportunities.
- Other info: Join a team that values your voice and offers recognition for your hard work.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while enjoying a supportive work environment.
- Qualifications: Full UK driving licence and excellent communication skills required.
Job profile for Support Worker - Out & About
Support Worker - Out & About
Job requirements are detailed below. Where applicable the skills, qualifications and memberships required for this job have also been included.
Job details
Salary £24,791.39 FTE £12.85 per hour Contractual hours 37 Basis Full time Region South Package £24,791.39 FTE £12.85 per hour Date posted 29/07/2026 Job reference OPR0000767 Attachments SUPPORT WORKER JD JULY 26.docx
Job description
Optalis is the adult social care delivery partner on behalf of Wokingham Borough Council and the Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead Council. Optalis is owned and funded by the 2 Councils. Optalis is not a private provider or an employment agency.
Support Worker, 37 hours Weekly Full Time, Wokingham, £24,791.39 - Out & About Services from Matthewsgreen
Part Time Weekly Hours also available £12.85 Per Hour
For this role you will be a car owner/driver or have a UK licence to be able to drive allocated vehicles
At Optalis a Support Workers role isn’t about doing things for people unless they want or need you to. It’s about doing things with people, at their pace, in their way, helping them build on their own gifts, skills and passions so each day feels meaningful to them. You offer help when it is wanted or needed, without taking over.
Support changes with requirements, wishes and goals. This can include:
- Personal Care
- Developing and maintaining skills
- Managing health needs
- Building links with friends, family and the community
- Social and leisure activities
- Making healthy lifestyle choices
Requirements for this role include
- Working hours are 9am - 3.30 pm daily and activities in the evenings and weekends.
- Driver.
- Ability to build trust and positive working relationships with people we support, families, colleagues, and external professionals.
- Excellent listening skills to communicate clearly, whether speaking, writing, or using alternative communication methods.
- A full UK driving licence is essential for this role, as you’ll be expected to drive to support individuals with outings and activities.
- If you use your own vehicle, it must be appropriately insured for business use. This ensures you’re covered while driving as part of your job. If you're unsure about your current insurance, your provider can help you check or update your policy.
Core Responsibilities
- Promote Independence: Encourage individuals to make their own choices and maintain control over their daily lives while providing appropriate support.
- Personalised Support: Deliver care and assistance tailored to individual needs, preferences, and support plans.
- Medication Support: Administer or prompt medication in line with care plans and legal guidelines.
- Community Engagement: Support to access local services and social activities.
- Safeguarding: Recognise and report any concerns about abuse, neglect, or exploitation promptly and in line with safeguarding policies.
- Health & Wellbeing Monitoring: Observe changes in physical or mental health and elevate concerns to relevant professionals.
- Documentation: Maintain accurate records of support provided, incidents, and progress toward goals.
It would be beneficial to have knowledge of the following :
- Understanding of person-centred care principles.
- Awareness of health and safety regulations, including infection control.
- Knowledge of mental health, learning disabilities, and physical disabilities.
- Training in first aid, medication administration, and safeguarding adults.
For more information the full job description is attached.
Working for Optalis you will also receive a range of benefits, including:
- A Perkbox rewards package offering discounts on cinema, shopping, health, travel and insurance
- 25 days annual leave (pro rata) rising annually to a maximum of 30 days with 8 bank holidays, and an extra day off for your birthday
- An additional health and wellbeing day
- A comprehensive paid training and development programme
- Excellent career progression opportunities and support
- As a valued and integral member of the team you will have a voice in the service and forums to be heard and make a difference
- STAR awards – a reward scheme which recognises staff who have gone the extra mile
- A generous pension scheme
Optalis is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of our staff and customers. All successful applicants will be required to undertake a DBS check and will need to provide proof of their right to work in the UK.
We anticipate this being a popular role and therefore reserve the right to close early should there be a large volume of applications. We would therefore advise not to wait until the closing date to submit your interest.
This role is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. The DBS clearance level required is Enhanced with Adult Barred list.
For advice and information on disclosing criminal records you can contact Nacro’s support service on 0300123 1999 or helpline@nacro.org.uk
Support Worker - Out & About in Wokingham employer: Optalis
Optalis is an exceptional employer, dedicated to providing a supportive and rewarding work environment for its culinary team at Bluebell House. With a strong focus on employee growth, comprehensive training programmes, and a generous benefits package including 25 days of annual leave and a Perkbox rewards scheme, staff are encouraged to thrive both personally and professionally. Located in the heart of Wokingham, the role offers the unique opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the lives of older individuals while working in a collaborative and caring atmosphere.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Support Worker - Out & About in Wokingham
✨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 Optalis.
✨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 Optalis!
✨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 Optalis, 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 Optalis or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.
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 Optalis:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Optalis! 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 Optalis
✨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.
