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- Tasks: Support a vibrant young woman with complex needs in daily living and emotional support.
- Company: Join a dedicated team at Unicare focused on transformative care.
- Benefits: Competitive pay, ongoing training, and clear career progression opportunities.
- Other info: Dynamic role with the potential for personal growth and impactful change.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in someone's life while developing your skills.
- Qualifications: Experience with autism, mental health, and strong boundary-setting skills required.
The predicted salary is between 12 - 15 £ per hour.
We are looking for a confident, emotionally resilient and proactive Support Worker to support a young woman (Candice, known as Candy) with complex needs in a supported living setting. Candy is a vibrant and engaging individual who enjoys:
- Music, TikTok, and self-expression
- Shopping trips and planning her meals
- Community activities including animal visits and outings
- Building her independence and life skills
However, this is not a passive support role. You will be working with a client who presents with:
- Autism, ADHD, and borderline learning disability
- Emotional dysregulation and impulsivity
- History of self-harm, suicidal ideation, and behavioural escalation
- Periods of aggression, including physical violence towards staff
- Inappropriate sexualised behaviours and boundary-testing
This role requires someone who can balance compassion with firm boundaries and remain calm under pressure.
What You’ll Be Doing
You will provide 1:1 structured support, focusing on:
- Behaviour & Emotional Support
- Using de-escalation and distraction techniques during incidents
- Supporting Candy through emotional distress and dysregulation
- Maintaining clear, consistent boundaries at all times
- Recognising early signs of escalation and acting proactively
- Daily Living & Independence
- Supporting with personal care (prompting, supervision)
- Cooking and meal planning
- Laundry and household tasks
- Encouraging independence through step-by-step guidance
- Community & Social Engagement
- Supporting safe access to the community (Candy cannot travel independently)
- Accompanying her to activities, shopping, and outings
- Building her confidence in public settings
- Risk Management
- Managing risks including self-harm (ligatures, head banging, scratching)
- Aggression towards staff
- Inappropriate sexual behaviours
- Poor risk awareness when excited or distracted
- Following safeguarding and escalation protocols at all times
Who This Role Is REALLY For
Let’s be honest, this role is not for everyone. You will thrive if you are:
- Emotionally tough - you don’t take behaviour personally
- Calm under pressure - even when faced with aggression or distress
- Consistent - you don’t bend boundaries to keep the peace
- Observant - you notice subtle changes in mood or behaviour
- Structured - you can guide routines and maintain stability
You will struggle if you:
- Avoid confrontation or difficult situations
- Take verbal or physical behaviour personally
- Prefer low-risk, routine care environments
Essential Requirements
- Female staff (service user preference and risk profile)
- Experience with Autism / Learning Disabilities
- Mental Health / EUPD / challenging behaviour
- Strong understanding of safeguarding
- Behaviour support / PBS approaches
- Ability to remain professional and boundaried at all times
Desirable (But Not Essential)
- Experience with high-risk behaviours (self-harm, aggression)
- Training in de-escalation / PMVA / CPI
- Experience in supported living or complex care
What We Offer
- Competitive hourly rate + enhanced pay for complex packages
- Structured rota and consistent placement
- Ongoing specialist training (PBS, mental health, risk management)
- Strong clinical and management support
- Clear progression pathways within Unicare
Why This Role Matters
This isn’t just about care; it’s about:
- Helping someone build independence safely
- Reducing crisis behaviours through the right support approach
- Creating stability where there has been disruption
Handled well, this placement becomes transformational. Handled poorly, it becomes high-risk very quickly.
Apply Now
If you believe you have the resilience, structure, and mindset required, we want to hear from you. Please email your CV or alternatively call 02082396877 and select the option for recruitment.
Locations
Support Worker Complex Needs (Female Only) in Caterham, Surrey employer: Unicare Complex Care Specialist Ltd
Contact Detail:
Unicare Complex Care Specialist Ltd Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Support Worker Complex Needs (Female Only) in Caterham, Surrey
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company culture! Before your interview, do a bit of research on Unicare. Check out their social media and website to see what they value. This will help you connect with them during your chat and show that you're genuinely interested.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your responses! Think about the key skills they're looking for, like emotional resilience and calmness under pressure. Prepare examples from your past experiences that demonstrate these qualities, so you can share them confidently in the interview.
✨Tip Number 3
Be ready for scenario questions! They might ask how you'd handle specific situations with Candy. Brush up on de-escalation techniques and think through your approach to managing challenging behaviours. This will show you're prepared for the role's demands.
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to follow up! After your interview, send a quick thank-you email to express your appreciation for the opportunity. It’s a nice touch that keeps you on their radar and shows your enthusiasm for the role. And remember, apply through our website for the best chance!
We think you need these skills to ace Support Worker Complex Needs (Female Only) in Caterham, Surrey
Some tips for your application 🫡
Be Yourself: When you're writing your application, let your personality shine through! We want to see the real you, so don’t be afraid to share your experiences and what makes you passionate about supporting individuals like Candy.
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the role. Highlight any relevant experience with autism, ADHD, or challenging behaviours. We love seeing how your background aligns with what we’re looking for, so make it clear!
Show Your Resilience: This role requires emotional resilience, so give us examples of how you've handled tough situations in the past. Whether it’s managing conflict or supporting someone in distress, we want to know how you keep calm under pressure.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep track of applications and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates from us!
How to prepare for a job interview at Unicare Complex Care Specialist Ltd
✨Know Your Client
Before the interview, take some time to research and understand the specific needs of Candy. Familiarise yourself with autism, ADHD, and emotional dysregulation. This will not only show your commitment but also help you articulate how you can provide tailored support.
✨Demonstrate Emotional Resilience
Be prepared to discuss situations where you've remained calm under pressure. Share examples that highlight your ability to handle aggression or distress without taking it personally. This is crucial for the role, so make sure to convey your emotional toughness.
✨Showcase Your Structured Approach
Talk about your experience in maintaining clear boundaries and routines. Provide specific examples of how you've successfully guided individuals through daily living tasks while encouraging their independence. This will demonstrate your structured mindset, which is essential for this role.
✨Highlight Your Observational Skills
During the interview, emphasise your ability to notice subtle changes in mood or behaviour. Discuss how you've used this skill in past roles to proactively manage risks and support individuals effectively. This will reassure them that you can recognise early signs of escalation.