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- Tasks: Support a young woman with complex needs in daily living and emotional regulation.
- Company: Unicare, dedicated to transforming lives through compassionate support.
- Benefits: Competitive pay, structured rota, ongoing training, and clear career progression.
- Other info: Dynamic role requiring resilience, compassion, and the ability to manage challenging behaviours.
- Why this job: Make a real difference by helping someone build independence and confidence.
- Qualifications: Experience with autism, mental health, and strong safeguarding knowledge required.
The predicted salary is between 24000 - 30000 £ per year.
About the Role
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. This role requires someone who can balance compassion with firm boundaries and remain calm under pressure.
What You’ll Be Doing
- 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, aggression towards staff, inappropriate sexual behaviours
- Following safeguarding and escalation protocols at all times
Who This Role Is REALLY For
Let’s be honest—this role is not for everyone. It is important to avoid confrontation or difficult situations, take verbal or physical behaviour personally, and 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 and 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, and creating stability where there has been disruption. Handled well, this placement becomes transformational. Handled poorly, it becomes high-risk very quickly.
Support Worker - Female Only - Social Care in Caterham 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 - Female Only - Social Care in Caterham
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company culture! Before your interview, do a bit of digging on their values and mission. This way, you can tailor your responses to show how you fit right in with their vibe.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice makes perfect! Role-play common interview questions with a mate or in front of the mirror. The more comfortable you are with your answers, the more confident you'll feel when it’s showtime.
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your personality! Don’t just stick to the script; let your passion for supporting others shine through. Share personal stories that highlight your experience and how you handle tough situations.
✨Tip Number 4
Follow up after your interview! A quick thank-you email can go a long way. It shows you're genuinely interested and gives you another chance to reiterate why you’re the perfect fit for the role.
We think you need these skills to ace Support Worker - Female Only - Social Care in Caterham
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 how they relate to supporting someone like Candy.
Show Your Understanding: Make sure to highlight your knowledge of autism, ADHD, and mental health. We’re looking for someone who gets the complexities of these conditions and can demonstrate how you’d handle them in a supportive way.
Tailor Your Application: Don’t just send a generic application! Take the time to tailor your responses to the specific role and its requirements. Mention how your skills align with the needs of Candy and the challenges she faces.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us quickly and efficiently. Plus, you’ll find all the info you need about the role there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Unicare Complex Care Specialist Ltd
✨Know Your Candidate
Before the interview, take some time to understand Candy's needs and preferences. Familiarise yourself with autism, ADHD, and emotional dysregulation. This will help you demonstrate your knowledge and show that you're genuinely interested in providing the best support.
✨Showcase Your Skills
Be ready to discuss your experience with challenging behaviours and how you've successfully managed similar situations in the past. Use specific examples to illustrate your ability to remain calm under pressure and maintain boundaries while being compassionate.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving skills. Think about how you would handle potential incidents involving aggression or emotional distress. Practising your responses can help you feel more confident during the interview.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
At the end of the interview, don’t hesitate to ask questions about the role and the support team. Inquire about the training provided and how they handle crisis situations. This shows your commitment to understanding the role and your proactive approach to supporting Candy.