At a Glance
- Tasks: Support adults with learning disabilities and mental health needs to live independently.
- Company: Outward, a respected provider of person-centred support in London.
- Benefits: Generous annual leave, training opportunities, and employee assistance programmes.
- Other info: Flexible shifts available, including evenings and weekends.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while developing your skills.
- Qualifications: Compassionate attitude and good communication skills; experience is a plus but not essential.
The predicted salary is between 29334 - 29334 £ per year.
Contract: 1 x Full Time Permanent & 1 x Part Time Permanent
Hours: 38 hours per week/ 19 hours per week
Salary: £29,334 per annum pro rata for part time
Location: NE London.
About Outward. For 50 years, Outward has been providing high-quality support and care services to vulnerable people across London, predominantly in North East London. Established by families seeking alternatives to institutional care, we’ve grown into a respected provider of person-centred support for adults with learning disabilities, autism, mental health needs, and complex needs. We support over 1,000 people across nine boroughs, guided by our core values: engage, enable, and empower. Outward is proud to be an accredited Living Wage Employer. This means we are committed to paying the Real Living Wage – not just the government minimum or national living wage – to our frontline Support Workers and other eligible staff. We recognise the value of the work our teams do, and we are committed to ensuring fair pay that reflects the true cost of living.
About the Role We are looking for a proactive and passionate Support Worker to join our dedicated team supporting adults with a range of needs, including learning disabilities, autism, mental health challenges, and complex support requirements. This role offers a unique opportunity to combine direct care responsibilities with service coordinating. As a Support Worker, you will play a key role in empowering the people we support to live independent and fulfilling lives. You’ll provide high-quality care and support, while also managing elements of service delivery such as support planning, key working, rota oversight, and staff guidance. You will work closely with the Deputy or Team Manager and play an active role in ensuring our services are person-centred, well-managed, and aligned with Outward’s core values of engage, enable, and empower.
Your Responsibilities As a Support Worker, you will:
- Provide direct, person-centred support
- Support people to access community activities, appointments, and social opportunities.
- Support people with their daily living activities.
- Promote independence, choice, dignity, and respect.
- Assist with personal care where required.
- Administer medication in line with organisational policies and procedures.
- Maintain accurate records and report concerns appropriately.
- Work closely with families, healthcare professionals, and colleagues.
- Follow safeguarding, health and safety, and infection control procedures.
- Carry out key working responsibilities including working flexibly across multiple services, including evenings and weekends, to support consistent service delivery.
Requirements Essential Criteria
- Good understanding of safeguarding and risk management in a care/support setting
- Knowledge of health and safety issues within supported housing or care environments
- Understanding of confidentiality, GDPR, and data protection principles
- Staff must have access to a smartphone capable of receiving SMS messages and installing authentication apps for secure systems access
- Right to Work in the UK. Please note: Outward will not provide visa sponsorship.
- A caring, compassionate, and positive attitude.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
- Commitment to promoting person-centred support and inclusion
- Good general education (GCSEs or equivalent in English and Maths preferred).
- Basic IT skills, including the ability to use email, Microsoft Office, electronic care records, and online training systems
- Flexible approach to working shifts, including weekends and bank holidays.
Desirable Criteria
- NVQ Level 2 or 3 in Health and Social Care (or equivalent)
- Previous experience is desirable but not essential as full training will be provided.
- Additional training in PBS, safeguarding, or housing-related legislation
How to Apply The above is not an exhaustive list of requirements for the role. If you think you are who we are looking for, please submit a CV and statement detailing how you feel your experiences meet the requirements of the role by referring to the Job Responsibilities and the Person Specification. There is no specific closing date for this advert. We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive a sufficient number of suitable applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible. It would be great to hear from you.
Benefits We value everything our staff do for the people we support, so we provide a great benefits package:
- 25 days Annual Leave excluding Bank Holidays (pro rata for part time)
- Comprehensive Learning & Development Programme
- Cycle-to-Work Scheme
- Death in Service Benefit
- Health Assured – Employee Assistance Programme
- Eye care Vouchers
- Flu Jab Reimbursement
- Pension Scheme
- Purchase Additional Annual Leave
- Refer-a-Friend Scheme
Full details of our rewards and benefits are available from our HR Team and through our Staff Room intranet.
Diversity and Safeguarding at Outward: We are committed to equal opportunities and welcome applications from all sections of the community. Outward applies its Equal Opportunities Policy at all stages of recruitment and selection. Shortlisting, interviewing and selection is carried out without regard to gender, sexual orientation, marital status, colour, race, nationality, ethnic or national origins, religion or belief, age or trade union membership. As an employer, who aspire to become Disability Confident Committed, we aim to ensure that a fair and proportionate number of disabled applicants that meet the minimum criteria for this position will be offered an interview. Please indicate clearly at the beginning of your supporting statement if you have a disability (as defined by the Equality Act 2010), and you wish to be considered for an Offer Of an Interview (OOI). Please note that the OOI is available to disabled candidates only. Regrettably, any false declaration of disability in order to secure an interview will impact on your overall application.
Outward is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of adults at risk and expects all staff to share this commitment. If the post you apply for involves working with or having access to adults at risk and/or their records, we will require a DBS for successful candidates.
Support Worker - Supported Living Service, London E10 employer: Outward
Outward is an excellent employer that prioritises the wellbeing of its employees and the community. With a strong focus on employee growth, you will have opportunities to develop your skills while working in a supportive and collaborative environment. The role of Caretaker not only offers a competitive living wage but also allows you to make a meaningful impact across various locations in London, contributing to the safety and cleanliness of properties for vulnerable individuals.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Support Worker - Supported Living Service, London E10
✨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 Outward.
✨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 Outward!
✨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 Outward, 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 Outward 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 - Supported Living Service, London E10
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 Outward:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Outward! 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 Outward
✨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.
