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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, 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 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
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.
Key Activities:
- Music, TikTok, and self-expression
- Shopping trips and planning her meals
- Community activities including animal visits and outings
- Building her independence and life skills
This is not a passive support role. The individual has:
- 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:
- Providing 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
- Supporting with personal care (prompting, supervision)
- Cooking and meal planning
- Laundry and household tasks
- Encouraging independence through step-by-step guidance
- Supporting safe access to the community (Candy cannot travel independently)
- Accompanying her to activities, shopping, and outings
- Building her confidence in public settings
- 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. It is important to:
- Avoid confrontation or difficult situations
- Not 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.
Support Worker - Female Supported living 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 Supported living in Caterham
✨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 understand their values and how they support their staff and clients. This will help you tailor your responses and show that you're genuinely interested.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your de-escalation techniques! Since this role involves managing challenging behaviours, it’s crucial to demonstrate your skills in handling emotional distress. Think of examples from your past experiences where you successfully used these techniques and be ready to share them during your interview.
✨Tip Number 3
Show your passion for supporting others! When discussing your experience, highlight moments where you made a real difference in someone’s life. Whether it’s through community activities or personal care, let your enthusiasm shine through – it’s what sets us apart!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to ask questions! At the end of your interview, have a few thoughtful questions ready about the role or the team. This shows that you’re engaged and serious about the position. Plus, it helps you figure out if this is the right fit for you too!
We think you need these skills to ace Support Worker - Female Supported living 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 challenging situations with compassion and professionalism.
Tailor Your Application: Don’t just send a generic application! Take the time to tailor your responses to the specific role. Mention how your skills align with the responsibilities listed in the job description, especially around emotional support and risk management.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows us you’re serious about joining our team!
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 background and needs. 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 them 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 questions about how you would handle specific situations, such as emotional outbursts or aggression. Think through your responses in advance, focusing on de-escalation techniques and proactive strategies to ensure safety and support.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
At the end of the interview, ask questions that show your understanding of the role and its challenges. Inquire about the support systems in place for staff and how they manage high-risk behaviours. This demonstrates your commitment to both Candy's well-being and your own professional development.