Support Worker | IG10 in Loughton

A great part-time opportunity for a Professional Support Worker to support Peter, a cheerful 19-year-old with a genetic condition and global delay.

Salary/Wage: £20.00 gross per hour weekdays | £22.00 gross per hour weekends

Driving Requirements: Preferred, an automatic vehicle is provided on duty to take Peter out in the community.

Essential: Experience with manual handling and confidence with transfers. Physically fit and confident supporting with physical exercises such as stretching and with standing frame.

Desirable: Prior epilepsy experience would be useful, but epilepsy training will be provided.

Where possible, Peter's carer should take their holidays while Peter is on vacation with his parents; this will generally be during school holidays.

Start Date: ASAP

Days & Hours: Term-time Mondays and School Holidays, 9.00 am to 1.00 pm. Term Time, Tuesday to Friday: 7.00 am to 10:15 am. Additional weekends available (1.00 pm to 6.00 pm) if of interest.

About the Client/Child: Peter, 19, is a cheerful and affectionate young man who thrives on sensory experiences — he loves music of all kinds, light-up toys, and anything tactile. He enjoys companionship and often seeks cuddles or someone to sit with him on the sofa, sharing his favourite activities. Peter has a genetic condition resulting in Global Developmental Delay. He is non-verbal and communicates through sounds, gestures, and body language, while also understanding some simple signs and situational cues. Building a trusting relationship with Peter is key to understanding his communication style and supporting his daily routines. He is a full-time wheelchair user, can weight-bear, and uses a stander as part of his daily exercise. He requires full support with personal care, including dressing, showering, and toileting. While he prefers to use a toilet, “accidents” do happen. Peter loves his food and with help such as gentle hand-over-hand guidance, he can feed himself. Peter has epilepsy, experiencing tonic-clonic seizures several times a month, mostly at night. Although he is on medication, seizures still occur.

The Role at a Glance: Peter attends a specialist college in St Albans from Tuesday to Friday, 9:00 am to 3:00 pm. During weekdays, his Support Worker will help Peter with his full morning routine — waking him up, assisting with personal care, and preparing his breakfast. You’ll then accompany Peter to college as his escort in patient transport, before being dropped back at the family home where your shift ends. If Peter is unwell or has experienced a seizure during the night, he may need time to rest and recover, meaning he might not attend college. On these occasions, additional hours up until 1:00 pm may be available, but this is optional if you have other commitments. On Mondays, when Peter is home, and during school holidays, the focus shifts to engaging him in meaningful activities at home and in the community. He enjoys people-watching at the supermarket, using his stander and doing light stretching exercises, and arts and crafts when he’s not too tired. Peter also loves listening to music, relaxing in his easy chair, or spending time outdoors in the garden.

This Job Would Suit: Peter is a gentle and kind young man who never shows aggressive behaviour. He can be quite passive, so he’ll benefit from someone who brings energy, positivity, and gentle encouragement to help engage him in meaningful activities. When he’s unwell or has a tummy ache, Peter can become very vocal, so it’s important that his Support Worker is patient, understanding, and comfortable managing noise. The role involves manual handling, including supporting Peter with transfers — for example, from his chair to the toilet or from his wheelchair to a car seat — so you’ll need to be physically fit and confident with safe moving and handling techniques without the use of a hoist.

Why You’ll Love This Role: This is a family well known to Snap Care and positive feedback from candidates have always been received. A positive working environment with a supportive family. Epilepsy training will be provided.

Recruitment Process: This vacancy is being managed through Snap Care’s Shortlist Service. We will review all applications and verify the essential criteria are met before passing suitable CVs and contact details to our client/case manager, who will continue the recruitment process directly. By applying, you consent to your details being shared with our client. Please note: Unfortunately, we are unable to provide sponsorship for any of our vacancies. If a specific gender is required, this is a genuine occupational requirement under paragraph 1, schedule 9 of the Equality Act 2010.