At a Glance
- Tasks: Support a 44-year-old autistic man with daily activities and hobbies.
- Company: Suffolk Independent Living, dedicated to enhancing lives.
- Benefits: Earn £13.55 per hour with flexible hours and annual leave.
- Other info: Join a rewarding role with potential for additional hours.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in someone's life while enjoying fun activities together.
- Qualifications: Must have a clean driving licence and experience with autism.
The predicted salary is between 13.55 - 13.55 £ per hour.
Caring and understanding companion required for a 44-year-old autistic man living in Red Lodge, near Bury St Edmunds. The position will be primarily located in the home, for example preparing breakfast, or occasionally cooking basic meals, but will also involve companion duties outside the home. The focus of the position is to help support the cared for within a companion capacity, to help with his hobbies such as attending the gym and playing golf and being active in the community. This is a fantastic and rewarding opportunity to support this man’s wellbeing through enjoying his interests in the wider community.
The candidate will report to the employer, a friend of the supported. Hours will take place for 4 hours per day between Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday, with an additional hour on one day.
About me: The cared for has a great love for music, both in listening to records, and playing his guitar. Alongside this he loves gaming, watching films, going to the cinema, and enjoying sports such as golf and bowling.
Job Responsibilities:
- Support with going to appointments
- Support with shopping, to and from the home
- Support the client with going to chosen activities
- Supporting the client with waking in the morning, prompting client to perform his own self-care
- Supporting the client to ensure his clothes are clean and suitable to wear
- Supporting the client as he is sometimes forgetful, such as ensuring he has his keys, wallet, phone, and other important possessions
- Support with preparing breakfast and sometimes lunch.
Essential Criteria:
- Must have a clean driving licence and access to a car as driving is part of the role
- Must be outgoing, confident, and understanding
- Will be patient to the supported’s needs
- Experience with autism and learning difficulties is essential to this role and the expected capability
- Excellent communication as the supported may need to have conversations or advice repeated.
Summary Conditions:
- The pay rate for this position is £13.55 per hour. If expenses were incurred in this position, these would be reimbursed.
- The hours and times for this position will centre around the workshop activities of the supported. These will be Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. These will consist of 4 hours per day, with an additional hour depending on flexibility and availability. Additional hours may be available.
- Annual leave: The annual holiday entitlement for this position will be equivalent to the work which would normally be done during 5.6 consecutive weeks.
- Background check: A satisfactory Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check is required for this position.
- If successful, you will be required to provide details of two referees, one of which must be your current or most recent employer, or character references if you have not been employed.
- Trial period: This post is subject to a probationary period of 3 months.
To find out more about the role, please call: 07985 072053.
Male required *Schedule 9, P1 of the Equality Act 2010 applies.
Closing date: 21 August 2026
Companion employer: Suffolk County Council
At Sendsory, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer dedicated to fostering a supportive and inclusive work environment for our team of Cognition and Learning Practitioners. Located in Ipswich, Suffolk, we offer competitive salaries, six training days per year, and the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the lives of children with SEND. Our commitment to professional development and a child-focused culture ensures that every employee can grow and thrive while contributing to a nurturing educational setting.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Companion
✨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 Suffolk 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 Suffolk 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 Suffolk 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 Suffolk 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 Companion
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 Suffolk County Council:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Suffolk 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 Suffolk 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.
