At a Glance
- Tasks: Support children with epilepsy and complex needs in daily activities and personal care.
- Company: St Elizabeth's Centre, a charity dedicated to helping children thrive.
- Benefits: Competitive pay, 25 days holiday, free DBS check, and subsidised transport.
- Other info: Join a supportive community with opportunities for professional development.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while gaining valuable experience.
- Qualifications: Passion for helping others; no specific qualifications required.
The predicted salary is between 14.14 - 14.14 £ per hour.
Location: Much Hadham, Hertfordshire
Pay: £13.30 - £14.14 per hour (£25,943 - £27,564 per annum)
Hours: Full-time & Part-time available
Shifts: Earlies (7:00am-2:30pm) | Lates (2:15pm-9:45pm) | Alternate Weekends
Be the difference in a child's life. At St Elizabeth's Centre, our Care Support Workers help children with epilepsy and complex needs thrive, achieve and enjoy life to the fullest. Whether it's supporting a child to build confidence, take part in activities, learn new skills or simply have fun, every day brings opportunities to make a meaningful impact.
About St Elizabeth's Centre: St Elizabeth's is a specialist charity supporting children, young people and adults with complex needs, including epilepsy, learning disabilities and physical disabilities. Set within a beautiful Hertfordshire countryside, our unique site includes:
- Children's Homes
- School, Sixth Form and College
- Community Hub
- Supported Living
- On-site therapy and nursing teams
You'll become part of a welcoming, supportive community where your development matters and your work truly makes a difference.
About the Care Support Worker role: As a Care Support Worker in our Children's Homes, you will support children aged 5-19 with epilepsy and complex medical and developmental needs. Every child is unique and every day is different. One day you could be helping a child build confidence in the swimming pool, baking their favourite treats, or supporting them with homework. The next, you might be enjoying a trip into the town, helping them develop independence, or celebrating a personal achievement they've worked incredibly hard to reach. Every interaction matters-and every day brings the chance to make a lasting impact.
This role is ideal for anyone considering a future career in:
- Healthcare or Education
- Nursing
- Teaching
- Social Work
What you'll be doing:
- Providing person-centred care and support
- Supporting children with personal care, wellbeing and daily routines
- Encouraging participation in education, play, therapy and community activities
- Supporting activities such as swimming, baking, shopping and outings
- Recording care notes and progress in line with safeguarding standards
- Working as part of a multidisciplinary team including nurses, therapists and teachers
- Following care plans and behaviour support strategies
Training & Development: We invest in our staff and provide:
- Comprehensive paid induction
- Ongoing specialist training from our Learning & Development and Nursing teams
- Epilepsy awareness and emergency response training
- Fully funded RQF Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare
- Opportunities to progress into Senior Care and leadership roles
What we offer:
- Competitive hourly pay
- 50% uplift for weekend overtime, 25% uplift for Mon - Fri overtime
- 25 days' holiday + bank holidays (rising to 30 days' after 5 years service)
- Free DBS check
- Free on-site parking
- Subsidised staff transport from Harlow, Bishop's Stortford, Sawbridgeworth and Stanstead Abbotts
- Affordable on-site staff accommodation (£200 per month, up to 2 years - role dependent)
- Blue Light Card discounts
- Employee Assistance Programme and wellbeing support
Getting here: St Elizabeth's Centre is located in a rural setting in Much Hadham, Hertfordshire, so access to reliable transport is important. To help make commuting easier, we offer subsidised staff transport routes and affordable on-site accommodation options.
Safeguarding & inclusion: St Elizabeth's Centre is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, vulnerable adults and young people. The successful applicant will be required to undertake an enhanced disclosure through the Disclosure and Barring Service. Some of our positions involve regulated activity relevant to vulnerable children, adults, and young people. It is a criminal offence for people who are barred from working in a regulated activity to apply for roles that require them to work unsupervised with that particular group. Our vacancies are exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. We are proud to be a Disability Confident Employer and Investor in People.
Care Support Worker employer: St Elizabeth's College
At St Elizabeth's, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer dedicated to making a meaningful impact in the lives of children and young people with diverse needs. Nestled in the picturesque Hertfordshire countryside, our charity offers a supportive work culture that values compassion and leadership, alongside competitive benefits such as a £5,000 joining bonus, generous holiday allowance, and opportunities for professional growth. Join our team and be part of a legacy that has been delivering outstanding care and support for over 120 years.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Care Support Worker
✨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 St Elizabeth's College.
✨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 St Elizabeth's College!
✨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 St Elizabeth's College, 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 St Elizabeth's College 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 Care Support Worker
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 St Elizabeth's College:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to St Elizabeth's College! 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 St Elizabeth's College
✨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.
