At a Glance
- Tasks: Support adults with learning disabilities in daily living tasks and promote independence.
- Company: Join Surrey County Council, a Disability Confident Employer dedicated to community support.
- Benefits: Enjoy 26-30 days of holiday, lifestyle discounts, and paid training opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while gaining valuable experience and skills.
- Qualifications: No formal qualifications needed, just a passion for helping others and a UK driving license.
- Other info: Flexible shifts, including weekends and sleep-ins, with ongoing training and support provided.
The predicted salary is between 26777 - 37487 £ per year.
Job Description
The starting salary for this role is £26,777 per annum, based on a 36-hour working week.
Please be aware that unfortunately this role is not eligible for visa sponsorship at this time.
We are recruiting Support Workers for our Mallow Crescent Supported Living homes in Guildford and the great news is that you don't need any formal qualifications to apply for our Support Worker positions, you simply need to have the right qualities!
We are looking for people who are motivated and committed to improving the lives of others and who have a desire to empower and promote independence. This role will enable you to have a significant positive impact on the lives of our residents and is extremely rewarding.
Rewards and Benefits
- 26 days' holiday (prorated for part time staff), rising to 28 days after 2 years' service and 31 days after 5 years' service
- Option to buy up to 10 days of additional annual leave
- An extensive Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) to support health and wellbeing
- Up to 5 days of carer's leave per year
- Paternity, adoption and dependents leave
- A generous local government salary related pension
- Lifestyle discounts including gym, travel, shopping and many more
- 2 paid volunteering days per year
- Learning and development hub where you can access a wealth of resources
In addition to the above, we also offer our Support Workers the following:
- Weekend and Bank Holiday Enhancements – 50% extra pay per hour worked – totalling to £21.40 per hour.
- Sleep-in Enhancement – £45 per sleep-in
- The opportunity to gain professional social care qualifications, including The Care Certificate
- Free on-site parking for staff
- All training hours are paid
- DBS check paid for by Surrey County Council
- A thorough induction and shadowing with experienced team members to ensure you have all the skills you need to succeed
About the roleWe support people with daily living tasks and personal care, and help enable access to leisure pursuits, education, skills development, and social networks within the local community, using a person-centred approach.
The average week is 36 hours spread over 5 days and made up of a variety of shifts to support our 24-hour service at 25-30 Mallow Crescent, Burpham, Guildford, Surrey. The working pattern is rolling and will include shifts including early mornings, evenings and sleeping-in shifts.
An interest and desire to support people with learning disabilities is essential, but Surrey County Council's mandatory training and additional specific training will be provided.
As a Support Worker, your responsibilities will include:
- Working with and supporting Adults with learning difficulties to create positive outcomes and promote independence.
- Direct practical interactions with service users; including cooking, personal care and engaging with the wider community.
- Organising the shift, communicating with colleagues to plan and coordinate activities including report writing and attending/contributing to reviews as required.
- Engagement in planning, implementation, and delivery of care plans.
- Working in partnership with other agencies.
- Ensuring all your training requirements are met and recorded accurately.
- Driving people to appointments or in the community
Shortlisting CriteriaIn order to be considered for shortlisting, your CV and Personal Statement will clearly evidence:
- An understanding of the sensitivity to the needs of people with learning disabilities.
- A willingness to encourage and support people with learning disabilities to access activities and facilities in the community.
- Respect for the cultures and beliefs of the people we support.
- The resilience and emotional intelligence to handle challenging situations. Every day is different and can throw its own challenges and pressures. You need to be adaptable but able to follow guidelines with a consistent, person-centred approach.
- A flexible attitude, both to the level of care required by the people we support as well as the time requirements of the role.
Due to the needs of our Home residents, possession of a full UK Driving Licence and the willingness to drive is an essential requirement for this role. You don't need to own your own vehicle but a Licence is essential for you to be able to use one of our fleet of cars to support our residents in their activities outside of the homes.
The Job advert closes at 23:59 on 08/06/2025. Applications will be considered, and interviews held, on an ongoing basis.
We look forward to receiving your application, please click on the apply online button below to submit.
Our CommitmentSurrey County Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Employer. A guaranteed interview will be offered to all disabled applications where:
- The candidate has evidenced the minimum criteria for the role through their application
- The candidate has chosen to share that they have a disability on the application form
Our application form and onboarding process will provide an opportunity to request any reasonable adjustments for the interview and/or the role. We want to be an inclusive and diverse employer reflecting the community we serve and particularly welcome applications from all underrepresented groups.
Support Worker - Guildford employer: Surrey County Council
Contact Detail:
Surrey County Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Support Worker - Guildford
✨Tip Number 1
Show your passion for supporting individuals with learning disabilities. During any interactions, whether in interviews or networking, emphasize your commitment to empowering others and promoting independence.
✨Tip Number 2
Familiarize yourself with person-centred approaches in care. Being able to discuss how you would implement these strategies in your role can set you apart from other candidates.
✨Tip Number 3
Highlight your adaptability and resilience. Share examples from past experiences where you've successfully navigated challenging situations, as this is crucial for the dynamic nature of the role.
✨Tip Number 4
If you have a full UK Driving Licence, make sure to mention it! This is an essential requirement for the role, and being able to drive will enhance your application significantly.
We think you need these skills to ace Support Worker - Guildford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Make sure you fully understand the responsibilities of a Support Worker. Highlight your motivation to improve the lives of others and your commitment to promoting independence in your application.
Tailor Your CV: Customize your CV to reflect the skills and experiences that align with the job description. Emphasize any relevant experience working with individuals with learning disabilities, even if it's informal.
Craft a Personal Statement: Write a personal statement that showcases your understanding of the needs of people with learning disabilities. Discuss your emotional intelligence, resilience, and flexibility in handling challenging situations.
Highlight Driving License: Since a full UK Driving Licence is essential for this role, make sure to clearly mention it in your application. If you have experience driving in a professional capacity, include that as well.
How to prepare for a job interview at Surrey County Council
✨Show Your Passion for Support Work
Make sure to express your genuine motivation for helping others, especially those with learning disabilities. Share personal experiences or stories that highlight your commitment to empowering individuals and promoting their independence.
✨Demonstrate Emotional Intelligence
Prepare to discuss how you handle challenging situations with resilience and empathy. Provide examples of past experiences where you've successfully navigated difficult interactions, showcasing your ability to remain calm and supportive.
✨Highlight Flexibility and Adaptability
Since the role involves varied shifts and responsibilities, emphasize your flexibility in working hours and your adaptability to changing circumstances. Mention any previous roles where you had to adjust quickly to new challenges.
✨Understand the Importance of Person-Centred Care
Familiarize yourself with the concept of person-centred care and be ready to discuss how you would implement this approach in your work. Highlight your understanding of respecting individual needs, cultures, and beliefs of the residents.