Support Worker (Waking Nights) - Mill Lane

Location: Portslade, Hove

Hours: 27 per week

Waking nights: this role requires you to stay awake overnight between 11pm-7am.

Support people with learning disabilities to live full, happy lives.

Who we are: Southdown is the largest not-for-profit provider of care, support, and housing in Sussex. We’ve been helping people access stable accommodation, mental health and care services since 1972, now counting over 800 people as part of our team. We’re a psychologically informed organisation where the well-being and happiness of our employees matter, and that’s why we’re committed to creating a compassionate work environment where everyone feels valued, respected, and inspired to do their best. If you share our values and want to work for an organisation that helps change lives for the better, we want to hear from you!

What you’ll be doing: Do you want to make a meaningful difference? We provide accommodation, care and support for 160 adults with learning and physical disabilities in our 23 supported living services and 4 residential care homes. As a support worker, you’ll help people with learning disabilities to live well by supporting them with everyday tasks such as personal care, cleaning and cooking. You’ll also encourage a sense of fun and relaxation by accompanying service users in activities such as walks along the beach, cinema sessions, cycling trips and café visits. We’re looking for compassionate individuals to help build service users’ confidence and independence through empowering care, and in return, we offer a rewarding job where no two days are the same.

We very much welcome previous experience in roles such as Health Care Assistant, Care Assistant, Support Worker, Senior Support Worker, Nurse, Social Care Worker, Senior Care Assistant, Mental Health Care Worker, Nursing Home Assistant, Personal Assistant or Residential Care Worker, however, this is not essential and full training will be provided.

Service Description: Mill Lane is a care home for 5 adults with severe learning disabilities and physical needs, situated in a residential area of Hove. As a support worker you will support clients with a range of needs and follow comprehensive care plans. This will include personal care, medication administration, and modelling positive behaviour support.

‘The best thing about my job is the clients. Getting to know them, getting to know their characters and just enjoying life with them’ – Karen, Southdown Support Worker.

Perks and benefits:

• Health cost cash-back scheme: access to our health insurance scheme which covers dental, optical, physical therapies and other medical treatments with the option to add greater levels of cover.
• Interest-free loans: assistance with larger costs that arise such as tenancy deposits, season travel tickets or buying a car.
• Access to the Easit Network: discounts and incentives on train, bus and car journeys such as 15% off eligible daily and season rail tickets.
• Blue Light card: access to discount services for the social care sector with savings across thousands of online shops, restaurants, and high-street vendors.
• Free advice and counselling service: confidential emotional support and practical guidance from our independent telephone service.
• Paid bank holidays: or paid time in lieu for any bank holidays worked.
• Uplifts: an extra £4.40 per shift for waking nights.

Key Responsibilities:

• Support all clients with daily living tasks such as personal care, cooking, washing up and home chores.
• Ensure a safe living environment for clients by conducting regular safety checks, responding promptly to alarms, and implementing risk assessment protocols when needed.
• Work in a consistent manner with all clients by keeping up to date with all relevant guidelines and support plans.
• Support clients with their health by checking medication charts, administering medications, and documenting health changes.

Skills, Knowledge and Competencies:

What you need for the role:

• A patient, empathetic mindset.
• A willingness to complete relevant training in health and social care, moving and handling, Positive Behaviour Support and safeguarding and health protocols.
• A willingness to learn and uphold safety policies, including fire safety protocols, emergency procedures, and risk assessment practices.
• Physically fit and able to push a wheelchair, take long walks and help service users with tasks like bathing.
• A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, which will be paid for by Southdown.

What would be nice:

• Experience working with clients with varying levels of physical and cognitive abilities, including those with learning disabilities or mental health challenges.
• Experience dealing with challenging situations (including managing clients who may exhibit aggressive behaviour or distress).
• An understanding of medication types, dosage, administration methods, and record-keeping practices.
• Previous care experience, be it professionally or with family members.

Training: We offer full training for this position so you don’t need direct experience. You’ll also gain valuable qualifications, continually develop your skills and build a great career with the largest provider of housing, care and support in Sussex.

How to apply: Please click on the ‘Apply Now’ button and fill out our simple one-page application form.