At a Glance
- Tasks: Support a vibrant young woman with complex needs in daily living and emotional support.
- Company: Join a dedicated team focused on empowering individuals with complex needs.
- 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, 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.
Support Worker Complex Needs (Female Only) in Guildford 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
✨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 when asked.
✨Tip Number 3
Show your passion for supporting individuals with complex needs! During the interview, express why you want to work with someone like Candy. Share your enthusiasm for helping her build independence and how you can contribute to her journey.
✨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 you're engaged and serious about the position. Plus, it helps you figure out if this is the right fit for you!
We think you need these skills to ace Support Worker Complex Needs (Female Only) in Guildford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for supporting individuals with complex needs shine through. Share any personal experiences or motivations that drive you to work in this field, especially with someone like Candy.
Be Specific About Your Skills: Tailor your application by highlighting specific skills and experiences that relate directly to the role. Mention your understanding of autism, ADHD, and emotional support techniques, as these are crucial for working effectively with Candy.
Keep It Professional Yet Personal: While it’s important to maintain a professional tone, don’t be afraid to inject a bit of your personality into your application. This role requires emotional resilience and a calm demeanour, so let us see how you embody these traits.
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 regarding your application status.
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 had to remain calm under pressure. Share specific examples of how you've managed challenging behaviours or emotional distress in the past. This will highlight your emotional toughness and ability to handle difficult situations.
✨Emphasise Boundaries and Structure
Talk about your approach to maintaining clear boundaries while still being compassionate. Discuss how you can provide structured support and guide routines effectively. This is crucial for the role, so make sure to convey your understanding of balancing compassion with firmness.
✨Demonstrate Observational Skills
Prepare to explain how you notice subtle changes in mood or behaviour. You might want to share a story where your observations led to a positive outcome. This will show that you have the keen eye needed to recognise early signs of escalation and act proactively.