Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- 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: This role is challenging but incredibly rewarding for the right person.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in someone's life while developing your skills.
- Qualifications: Experience with autism, learning disabilities, and strong emotional resilience 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.
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 Guildford, 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 Guildford, Surrey
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company culture! Before your interview, do a bit of research on the organisation's values and mission. This will help you tailor your responses and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of their team.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice makes perfect! Run through common interview questions with a friend or in front of the mirror. This will help you feel more confident and articulate when discussing your experience and how it relates to supporting someone like Candy.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your skills! Think of specific examples from your past experiences that demonstrate your ability to handle challenging situations, especially those related to emotional support and behaviour management. We want to see how you can bring your unique strengths to the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Follow up after your interview! A quick thank-you email can go a long way. It shows your enthusiasm for the role and gives you another chance to reiterate why you're the perfect fit for supporting Candy.
We think you need these skills to ace Support Worker Complex Needs (Female Only) in Guildford, 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!
Showcase Your Skills: In your cover letter, emphasise your emotional resilience and ability to remain calm under pressure. We need someone who can handle tough situations, so give us examples of how you've done this in the past.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the easiest way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re keen to join our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Unicare Complex Care Specialist Ltd
✨Know Your Client
Before the interview, take some time to understand Candy's needs and interests. 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 Resilience
Be prepared to discuss situations where you've remained calm under pressure. Share specific examples of how you've handled challenging behaviours or emotional distress in the past. This will highlight your emotional toughness and ability to maintain boundaries.
✨Demonstrate Your Structured Approach
Talk about your experience with structured routines and how you can guide someone like Candy through daily living tasks. Mention any techniques you use to encourage independence and stability, as this is crucial for the role.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions about the role and the support strategies used. Inquire about the team dynamics and how they handle crisis situations. This shows your proactive nature and genuine interest in ensuring a safe and supportive environment for Candy.