At a Glance
- Tasks: Provide 1:1 support to empower individuals with autism and mental health needs.
- Company: Join Unicare, a specialist organisation dedicated to person-centred care.
- Benefits: Competitive pay, ongoing training, career progression, and supportive management.
- Other info: Flexible shifts available; join a passionate team committed to quality care.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in someone's life while building meaningful relationships.
- Qualifications: Experience with autism and complex mental health is essential.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
Help Someone Live Life on Their Own Terms. At Unicare Complex Care Specialist, we don't just provide care; we build trusted relationships that empower people to live meaningful, independent lives. We are seeking compassionate, emotionally resilient and highly skilled Specialist Support Workers to join a dedicated team supporting a young adult living independently within the community who presents with complex mental health needs, autism and behaviours of concern. This is a rewarding opportunity for someone who values person-centred care and understands that trust, patience and consistency are fundamental to achieving positive outcomes.
About the Role
You will provide 1:1 specialist support to an individual living in their own home, helping them maintain independence while promoting emotional wellbeing, safety and community participation. This is not a traditional support worker role. It requires someone who can:
- Build a genuine therapeutic relationship
- Remain calm during periods of emotional distress
- Understand neurodiversity
- Work in a trauma-informed way
- Support emotional regulation without judgement
- Respect personal choice and autonomy
- Encourage independence rather than dependency
Every day will be different, and your approach must always be compassionate, flexible and person-led.
What You'll Be Doing
Your responsibilities may include:
- Providing specialist one-to-one community support.
- Building a trusting, consistent and positive relationship.
- Supporting emotional wellbeing using calm and therapeutic approaches.
- Using Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) strategies.
- Supporting emotional regulation through sensory-based and grounding techniques.
- Promoting independence with daily routines and household tasks.
- Supporting meal planning, healthy eating and hydration.
- Assisting with shopping and community access.
- Supporting attendance at appointments and meaningful activities.
- Encouraging hobbies, creativity and community participation.
- Respecting communication preferences and adapting your communication style accordingly.
- Prompting and supporting medication in line with care plans.
- Completing accurate electronic care records.
- Working collaboratively with clinicians, mental health professionals and the wider multidisciplinary team.
We're Looking For Someone Who Is
- Compassionate
- Calm under pressure
- Emotionally intelligent
- Patient and understanding
- Non-judgemental
- Creative and flexible
- Highly observant
- Consistent and reliable
- Passionate about improving lives
- Able to build trust over time
- Comfortable working independently
- Committed to safeguarding and professional practice
Experience We'd Love You To Have
Experience supporting people living with:
- Autism Spectrum Condition
- Complex Mental Health
- Emotional Dysregulation
- Trauma
- Self-injurious behaviours
- Positive Behaviour Support (PBS)
- Trauma-informed care
- Neurodiversity
- Sensory processing differences
- Anxiety disorders
- Selective or situational mutism
- De-escalation techniques
- Crisis prevention
- Community-based support
Experience with alternative communication methods, including written communication, visual prompts, gestures or technology-assisted communication, would be highly advantageous.
Personal Qualities
The successful applicant will:
- Respect personal boundaries and individual preferences.
- Be comfortable supporting someone who may communicate in different ways depending on their wellbeing.
- Be patient and adaptable when plans need to change.
- Value collaboration over control.
- Understand that consistency and trust are essential.
- Be able to remain professional during challenging situations.
- Demonstrate excellent observational and recording skills.
Desirable Interests
We are particularly interested in applicants who enjoy one or more of the following:
- Nature and outdoor activities
- Arts and crafts
- Creative projects
- Animal welfare
- Environmental sustainability
These interests may help foster meaningful engagement and shared activities.
What We Offer
- Competitive hourly rate
- Induction
- Specialist training
- Ongoing CPD
- Positive Behaviour Support training
- Trauma-informed care training
- Autism specialist training
- Clinical supervision
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Pension Scheme
- Career progression opportunities
- Supportive management team
- Reward and recognition programme
- Company events
- Referral bonus scheme
Shift Patterns
We are recruiting across a variety of shifts including:
- Days
- Evenings
- Sleep-in shifts
- Weekends
- Bank
- Flexible working patterns may be available.
Essential Requirements
- Experience supporting people with complex mental health and/or autism.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
- Ability to remain calm in emotionally challenging situations.
- Commitment to safeguarding and person-centred care.
- Enhanced DBS (or willingness to obtain one).
- Right to work in the UK.
- Full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle is desirable but not essential.
Why Join Unicare?
At Unicare, you'll become part of a specialist organisation recognised for delivering high-quality, person-centred support to people with complex needs across Sussex. We invest heavily in our staff because exceptional support starts with exceptional people. You'll receive ongoing training, clinical guidance, regular supervision and the opportunity to develop specialist skills while making a genuine difference in someone's life every single day. If you are passionate about empowering people, believe in dignity, respect and person-centred support, and want to be part of an organisation that values quality above quantity, we would love to hear from you. Apply today and become part of the Unicare Complex Care Specialist family.
Specialist Autism & Mental Health Support Worker in Brighton employer: Unicare Complex Care Specialist Ltd
At Unicare, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that prioritises the well-being and professional growth of our staff. Our supportive work culture fosters collaboration and innovation, providing extensive training and career progression opportunities in a rewarding environment where you can truly make a difference in the lives of individuals with complex needs. Join us in Sussex, where your compassion and skills will be valued, and you'll have the chance to empower others while enjoying a competitive salary and a range of employee benefits.
Contact Details:
Unicare Complex Care Specialist Ltd Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Specialist Autism & Mental Health Support Worker in Brighton
✨Dive into Local Community Groups
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We think you need these skills to ace Specialist Autism & Mental Health Support Worker in Brighton
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 Unicare Complex Care Specialist Ltd:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Unicare Complex Care Specialist Ltd! 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 Unicare Complex Care Specialist Ltd
✨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.
