At a Glance
- Tasks: Support vulnerable individuals in daily living and promote their wellbeing.
- Company: VSA, a respected social care charity in Aberdeen for over 150 years.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous leave, pension, and personal development opportunities.
- Other info: Join a passionate team with excellent training and career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while gaining valuable experience.
- Qualifications: Empathy, communication skills, and a willingness to learn; prior experience is a plus.
The predicted salary is between 27800 - 27800 £ per year.
VSA is a well-respected local social care charity, helping support the people of Aberdeen for over 150 years. Our mission is to provide the best of care to enable the best of lives; supporting individuals and communities to fulfil their potential. VSA provides vital support and services to people of all ages. At VSA we support a person’s physical, mental, emotional and social wellbeing through a range of residential and outreach support services.
Working in social care is a hugely rewarding career, and you can help change the lives of vulnerable children and adults. VSA has an exciting opportunity available to join our Broomhill Park and Cloverfield Grove Service (Very Sheltered Housing/Care at Home) as a Support/Care Worker based in Aberdeen. This will be a part-time permanent position and in return, you will receive a competitive salary and benefits.
This position will be a combined service position working across both services, one located in Broomhill and the other in Bucksburn, and will also include working in the community in each local area to support our care@home services too. Applicants will need to be flexible in working across the city. Hours: 28hrs, 25.5hrs, 18hrs and 12hrs per week. Rota: 7 days a week—rota where you will be required to work a variety of shifts including early/evening and every 2nd weekend. Salary: £13.45 per hour.
We offer our Support/Care Workers fantastic benefits including:
- Company pension
- Employee assistance programme
- Generous annual leave
- Refer a friend programme—Receive £225 when you introduce a family member or friend to VSA
- Investment in your personal development and career through our learning and development programmes
- Access to our employee discount scheme
You will provide a professional, caring and effective service to those within our care. In return, you will be provided with extensive training opportunities and as an accredited SVQ centre, we can provide support to help gain qualifications. You will be joining a supportive team who are passionate about positively changing the lives of those within our care. Prior experience is welcome but consideration will also be given to those looking to join the social care sector, who possess our shared values of empathy and care for others. With consistently high grades from the Care Inspectorate for the service, Broomhill Park and Cloverfield Grove truly are an inspiring place to work.
If you are interested in joining our team, we would love to hear from you.
Purpose of Job: To contribute to the provision of quality services to meet the needs of service users, according to agreed VSA standards, policies and regulatory requirements.
Main Duties/Responsibilities:
- Communicating effectively with individuals according to agreed standards and procedures, accessing and updating records in keeping with guidelines.
- Helping to provide a safe and protective environment by complying with health, safety, and security procedures, including medication, and reporting accidents/incidents when appropriate.
- Supporting service users in their daily living, according to their recognised and agreed needs, providing personal care where necessary, adhering to practices which promote well-being, choice, and treating people with dignity and respect.
- Assisting service users in developing and maintaining social networks and relationships.
- Assisting and encouraging service users to develop skills and knowledge to live as independently as possible, if appropriate, with reference to the risk assessment process.
- Participating in the development, implementation and review of personal plans with service users.
- Supporting service users appropriately when they experience a significant life change or loss.
- Developing one’s knowledge and practice continuously through participation in training and development activities.
- Carrying out any other tasks from time to time, provided they are reasonable and within the postholder’s capabilities.
- Have awareness and work within internal control systems in your area to facilitate improvement in the quality of service provided.
Personal Qualities:
- Ability to communicate verbally with individuals
- Ability to write short reports
- Ability to maintain accurate records
- Basic IT skills
- Record Keeping
- Problem solving
- Using initiative
- Ability to remain calm
- Organisational Skills
- Good Interpretation skills
Support Worker - Very Sheltered Housing Services employer: Voluntary Service Aberdeen
At VSA's Linn Moor Campus in Peterculter, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer dedicated to fostering a nurturing environment for both our staff and the vulnerable young people we support. With competitive salaries, generous holidays, and ongoing professional development opportunities, we empower our employees to grow while making a meaningful impact in the lives of those with additional support needs. Our unique multi-generational approach and beautiful campus grounds create an inspiring workplace where teamwork and community relationships thrive.
Contact Details:
Voluntary Service Aberdeen Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Support Worker - Very Sheltered Housing Services
✨Dive into Local Community Groups
Social work thrives on community connections, so get involved in local groups or forums specific to your interests. Whether it’s volunteering at local shelters or joining community action boards, these are great ways to boost your visibility and make direct contacts that could lead to opportunities like the one at Voluntary Service Aberdeen.
✨Attend Social Work Events and Workshops
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences in social work. These events are fantastic for meeting professionals in the field, learning about emerging trends, and spotting job openings. Plus, you might just bump into someone from Voluntary Service Aberdeen!
✨Showcase Your Passion and Expertise
Use platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn to share your journey and insights into the social work sector. Whether it’s writing about your experiences or sharing relevant articles, this helps to establish you as an engaged professional. Potential employers, like Voluntary Service Aberdeen, will notice your enthusiasm!
✨Leverage Your Network
Don’t hesitate to reach out to professors, mentors, or even past colleagues who are in social work. They might have inside knowledge about openings at Voluntary Service Aberdeen or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.
We think you need these skills to ace Support Worker - Very Sheltered Housing Services
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let us see your passion for social work shine through! Talk about the experiences that made you want to pursue this career—whether it’s volunteering, personal experiences, or academic projects. We want to know why this field matters to you.
Emphasise Relevant Qualifications:Make sure your CV highlights any relevant qualifications, like degrees in social work or certifications like a DBS check. If you've done any workshops or training, don’t forget to include those as well. We're keen to see your commitment to your professional development!
Detail Your Experience with Clients:Since this is a hands-on field, detailing any direct experience you have with clients is crucial. Whether it's internships, volunteer roles, or previous jobs, highlight those experiences in your CV to show us you've got the practical skills necessary for the job!
Tailor Your Application to Voluntary Service Aberdeen:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Voluntary Service Aberdeen! Research our mission and values, and refer to them in your cover letter. This shows us that you understand our work and are genuinely interested in being a part of our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Voluntary Service Aberdeen
✨Understanding the Role of Empathy
In social work, understanding and demonstrating empathy is key. Be prepared to share personal experiences or scenarios where you effectively showed compassion and support. This helps show that you genuinely care about the well-being of others, which is crucial in social work.
✨Demonstrating Knowledge of Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with the frameworks and models used in social work, such as the Strengths-Based Approach or the Ecological Perspective. Be ready to discuss how these frameworks apply to your work, especially if you can tie them into real-world examples or case studies you've encountered.
✨Showcasing Your Multi-Disciplinary Skills
In a full-time social work role, you'll often collaborate with healthcare professionals, educators, and law enforcement. Be prepared to describe your teamwork experiences and how you've effectively communicated with other disciplines to achieve the best outcomes for clients.
✨Preparing for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical social work situations, such as dealing with a crisis or managing a complex case. Think through your thought process for these scenarios beforehand, considering how you'd assess the situation and what steps you'd take, as this demonstrates your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
