At a Glance
- Tasks: Support young adults with learning and physical disabilities in a fun, engaging environment.
- Company: Join the Percy Hedley Foundation, a leading charity making a real difference.
- Benefits: Enjoy 31 days holiday, training opportunities, and a supportive team culture.
- Other info: Dynamic role with excellent career growth and ongoing training opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a positive impact on young people's lives while having fun every day.
- Qualifications: Passion for care, good communication skills, and a sense of humour are essential.
The predicted salary is between 23400 - 28600 £ per year.
The Percy Hedley Foundation is one of the largest regional charities supporting people with a range of learning and physical needs. We take a person centred, flexible approach to the care and support we provide. Our dynamic and flexible service is tailored to the specific needs of the individual, making it easier to live, learn and be part of a world adapting to change.
Please note we do not offer sponsorship, applicants must have the right to work in the UK. This requirement is for female staff only in order to provide support to female residents.
We are on the lookout for a talented, creative, and unique Support Worker with a passion for supporting young adults to live their best life and join our incredible team at Leybourne House. Leybourne is a high energy service with a clear focus on delivering the highest standard of person-centred care and support. As the newest member of our team, you will have a proactive approach, be an excellent communicator and hold a good understanding of positive behaviour support. A great sense of humour and ability to make a good cuppa is essential too!
We uphold the values of positive behaviour support, choice, and autonomy for our young people to lead fulfilling lives, with clear strategies that focus on wellbeing, positive behaviour support and people strategies, all that link directly into the foundation values and promote wellbeing for our young people and staff too. Leybourne is a small residential service within the centre of our community that specialises in supporting young adults with learning and physical disabilities on either a 1:1 or 2:1 basis, that require personal care and support.
Comments from our team on why they love working at Leybourne:
- “Making a difference to young people’s lives”
- “Being able to support the young people with new experiences is so rewarding”
- “The young people we support are amazing and there’s never a dull moment”
- “You get to do activities you wouldn’t normally”
- “The teamwork is great, great incentives, great team”
- “No day is the same, it’s a fun place to work”
At Percy Hedley we encourage career development and progression. We run a robust training programme and also have development opportunities across the wider Foundation. We also offer the following benefits to staff:
- 31 days holiday, rising to 36 days after 5 years service (includes bank holiday entitlement) (pro-rata for part-time staff)
- Loyalty awards starting at 2 years’ service
- Access to a rewards scheme designed to save money on shopping
- Access to Blue Light Card
- Contributory Pension Scheme
- Induction and ongoing training
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Cycle to Work Scheme
- Wellbeing support (including occupational health, physio services and counselling services)
- Access to discounted Nexus Travel
- Corporate Pop Card (payments spread over 12 months and deducted from salary each month)
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore applicants should be aware that the post will only be offered to successful candidates subject to an Enhanced DBS and barring checks as well as other employment clearances such as referencing in line with our regulator’s legislation requirements.
Please note that this role is classed as regulated activity as it involves working directly with children and/or vulnerable adults. All shortlisted candidates will be asked to complete a criminal records self-declaration form prior to interview, and all candidates will be subject to an online check prior to interview.
As a disability confident employer who is registered and accredited by the scheme, we would encourage all applications but please reach out if you require any guidance or support in your application. This recruitment is ongoing therefore the vacancy will close when a suitable applicant has been appointed.
Read more in Newcastle upon Tyne employer: Percy Hedley Foundation
The Percy Hedley Foundation is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and inclusive work environment for Lunchtime Support Assistants at Hedley’s College. With extensive training, wellbeing support, and generous benefits such as school holidays off and loyalty awards, employees are encouraged to grow and thrive in their roles while making a meaningful impact on students' lives.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Read more in Newcastle upon Tyne
✨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 Percy Hedley Foundation.
✨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 Percy Hedley Foundation!
✨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 Percy Hedley Foundation, 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 Percy Hedley Foundation 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 Read more in Newcastle upon Tyne
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 Percy Hedley Foundation:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Percy Hedley Foundation! 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 Percy Hedley Foundation
✨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.
