Support Worker, Mental Health

We're looking for a passionate, compassionate and resilient Support Worker to join our Learning Disabilities Social Care Service in Kent.

£26,228.00 per annum, working 37.5 hours per week.

Want to feel like you have an exciting future? You'll feel at home here. Making you feel at home here means helping you thrive in every way. That's why we offer a wide range of benefits, award-winning Learning & Development and a culture that welcomes all. These aren't token gestures - we've thought long and hard about how best to support our team.

After all, our people are doing something amazing: helping to transform lives every day.

• Annual leave increasing up to 30 days with length of service
• A generous pension - we will contribute up to 8% and life assurance cover up to 3x Pensionable Salary (T&Cs apply)
• Exclusive discounts and cashback via Reward Gateway and opportunity to buy a Blue Light Card
• Fully paid induction programme and further training
• ILM courses and Apprenticeship Programmes
• Cycle to work scheme
• Employee Assistance Programme for 24-7 confidential support
• Online wellbeing resources
• Quarterly Staff Awards to reward & recognise our amazing staff's commitment and contribution
• Free DBS

All applicants must be legally eligible to work in the UK by the start of employment as Look Ahead are not able to offer sponsorship.

The working pattern for this role is: 7.30am‑3pm, 2.30pm‑10pm, 7.30am‑10pm.

• Supporting the customer to undertake a full timetable of preferred activities including sport and leisure activities, attending community groups, visiting local amenities, and introducing them to new activities to expand their horizons and networks.
• Developing the customer's independent living skills and involving them in all aspects of maintaining and developing their home, including cooking, shopping, cleaning and decorating.
• Enabling the customer to keep up with the important people in their life and to meet new people with shared interests.
• Supporting the customer to communicate their wants and needs, and communicating with them in a person-centred way.
• Supporting the customer to manage their anxieties and frustrations, using Positive Behaviour Support and Autism-specific approaches.
• Collating a range of behavioural data and essential paperwork to be analysed within our local management structure.
• Driving the customer to activities using the customer's vehicle, in rotation with the wider team.
• Communicating with family members and a range of other key stakeholders including social work, psychology and commissioning teams.

This is not an exhaustive list of all the duties and responsibilities that may be required from time to time and is subject to change in accordance with the needs of Look Ahead.

• Enjoys social interaction and the company of others, joins in local activities to encourage customer involvement
• Exudes a warm friendly presence and open behaviour
• Prefers working as part of a group or team
• Is fundamentally calm and resilient, does not let emotion adversely affect them or obscure their judgement
• Has a practical and logical mind and is naturally well organised
• Thrives on change and enjoys dynamic diverse environments

• NVQ Level 2 or equivalent
• Minimum 2 years of experience working with customers with Autism/Challenging Behaviour/learning disabilities and supporting them in line with a PBS framework

• Has some experience in Trauma Informed care
• Has some experience in working with people with Mental health
• Driving licence and a willingness to drive as part of support duties

Look Ahead is a leading, not-for-profit care and support provider in London and the South East. Our vision is to build better lives through social care and housing in local communities. As an organisation we deliver over 100 services, providing support to thousands of customers each year. Our mission is to co-design and deliver services that offer innovative social care solutions and support people to thrive.

We work across mental health, homelessness and complex needs, young people and care leavers and learning disabilities so there are plenty of opportunities to grow…