At a Glance
- Tasks: Support adults with learning disabilities to live independently and enjoy fulfilling lives.
- Company: Join Staffordshire County Council, a leader in innovative social care.
- Benefits: Access to competitive salary, flexible working hours, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Dynamic work environment with opportunities for growth and community impact.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while gaining valuable experience.
- Qualifications: Passion for care, effective communication skills, and willingness to learn.
The predicted salary is between 27000 - 28000 £ per year.
This is a diverse social care role where every day is different. For adults with learning disabilities, you'll open the door to lives of independence, fulfilment, and joy. This positive change will be felt across families and throughout the Staffordshire communities we're proud to serve.
Staffordshire County Council are looking for motivated people who are passionate about providing outstanding care quality for adults with learning disabilities. We specialise in supporting adults with complex needs, profound and multiple learning disabilities, and behaviours that challenge. Our mission is to promote opportunities, independence and choice so individuals can thrive, and our vision is to be leaders in providing innovative and inspirational care and support.
Douglas Road is a residential respite facility for up to eight adults. The service is dynamic and caters for people with varying levels of need. People come to our service for a break and could stay for a number of days or weeks. The people we support are always changing which makes it an interesting, fast-paced and rewarding place to work.
Main Responsibilities
- Deliver excellent person-centred support in an innovative, flexible, responsive, and strengths-based manner.
- Act as a Link Worker for the people we support by contributing to the on-going assessment, development, delivery, and review of person-centered support plans.
- Administer medication and support with personal care.
- Deliver the manual handling requirements including use of equipment, physical intervention skills, and active participation in person-centred activities.
The Ideal Candidate
We are looking for people who are passionate about providing outstanding care quality for adults with learning disabilities. Our aspirations are to receive an outstanding rating with the CQC, and we are looking for someone who shares our values, ambitions, and vision.
What you will bring
- Be enthusiastic about working with people with learning disabilities and autism.
- Be caring, sensitive and patient while supporting people to be as independent as possible.
- ICT skills to complete digital record keeping.
- Have effective communication and interpersonal skills.
- The ability to manage potential and actual aggression in a sensitive way and remain calm in challenging situations.
- Willing and physically able to support people with personal and intimate care needs and physically able to undertake manual handling tasks.
- A positive outlook on life and able to adapt and respond positively to change.
If you already hold an NVQ level 2 qualification or Care Certificate we would love to hear from you but don't worry if not, we are happy to support you in gaining the skills and knowledge needed for this qualification.
Contact & Interviews
For an informal chat about the role, please contact Samuel Dickinson, Assistant Manager - Care Services.
Interviews will be held: Thursday 16th July at 114 Douglas Road, Newcastle Under Lyme, Staffordshire, ST5 9BJ.
Please note that this role will require an enhanced DBS check and a pre-employment health assessment as part of the onboarding process. You will be expected to work flexibly across the week according to business need, undertaking a range of shifts that may include weekend, and bank holiday working, early morning, evenings, split shifts, and sleep-in duties. Rotas are subject to change depending on business need.
Although this role is based primarily at Douglas Road, Newcastle, there may be times when you are expected to work flexibly across Provider Services, including different care settings, delivery approaches, and locations, as required. This role is regulated by CQC, and it is a requirement that we obtain FULL employment history, from leaving secondary school. Please note should you be invited to interview for this role, this information will be required.
Please complete your application fully, especially the supporting statement, to highlight what you'll bring to the role. Please note: The minimum essential criteria in the ideal candidate section detailed above will be used if you are applying under one of our Interview Guarantee Schemes.
Please note: Due to recent changes in legislation (effective 22 July 2025), this role is not eligible for sponsorship.
Equal Opportunities
Staffordshire County Council is an equal opportunities organisation and Disability Confident employer. We encourage applications from all backgrounds and communities.
Benefits
In addition to your salary, as a member of staff, you will have access to our rewards and benefits.
Support Worker employer: Staffordshire County Council
Staffordshire County Council is an exceptional employer dedicated to fostering a supportive and inclusive work environment for those passionate about social care. With a focus on employee growth, we offer opportunities for professional development, including support for gaining qualifications like the NVQ level 2. Our dynamic work culture at Douglas Road, where every day brings new challenges and rewards, ensures that you can make a meaningful impact in the lives of adults with learning disabilities while enjoying a fulfilling career in the heart of Staffordshire.
Contact Details:
Staffordshire County Council Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land 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 Staffordshire County Council.
✨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 Staffordshire County Council!
✨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 Staffordshire County Council, 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 Staffordshire County Council 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
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 Staffordshire County Council:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Staffordshire County Council! 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 Staffordshire County Council
✨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.
