At a Glance
- Tasks: Support young people with learning and physical needs in a lively, fun environment.
- Company: Percy Hedley Foundation, a leading charity dedicated to person-centred care.
- Benefits: 31 days holiday, loyalty awards, training opportunities, and wellbeing support.
- Other info: Ongoing recruitment; flexible shifts required, including weekends.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in young people's lives while enjoying a dynamic work atmosphere.
- Qualifications: Experience with young people, resilience, and understanding of positive behaviour support.
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. We have five sites providing specialist education, adult day services, residential care and independent supported living. Our sites are based in Forest Hall, Killingworth, Jesmond, Newcastle City Centre and North Shields.
Wansbeck House is an 8 bedded flat on the site of the Northern Counties School. Our residents are aged 17-30 and may live with us on a 52-week placement or a 38-week placement. Our young people may attend school, college, or day services Mon-Fri, which could be 5 days or could be less. Wansbeck provides the care and support around their educational/social care package.
We are looking for a Support Worker with a passion for supporting young people in the highest standard of person-centred care to join our team at Wansbeck. It is a busy, lively environment full of fun and laughter where no two days are the same. Our young people may require support with day-to-day activities including moving and handling, personal care, medication administration and feeding. As well as supporting our young people to choose and engage in activities and opportunities for socialising and maintaining relationships.
You will need to be resilient, hold a good understanding of positive behaviour support and have experience working with young people who may have limited communication skills and behaviours that can be challenging. We provide full support and training to enable our team to work within the positive behaviour support framework and provide additional training, as required, in NAPPI. We have strong relationships with external support teams such as the PBS team and community learning disability teams.
Wansbeck is open 365 days a year and working split shifts is required throughout the week as we support the young people to get ready for their education/day placements, as well as frequent weekend 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.
Support Worker - Wansbeck in Newcastle upon Tyne employer: Percy Hedley
The Percy Hedley Foundation is an exceptional employer, dedicated to providing a supportive and inclusive work environment for those passionate about making a difference in the lives of young people with learning and physical needs. Located at Wansbeck House, our vibrant team enjoys comprehensive training, career development opportunities, and generous benefits including 31 days of holiday, wellbeing support, and a contributory pension scheme. Join us in a lively atmosphere where every day brings new challenges and rewards, as we work together to empower our residents and foster their independence.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Support Worker - Wansbeck 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.
✨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!
✨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, 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 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 - Wansbeck 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:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Percy Hedley! 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
✨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.
