About the role
Day-to-day support for adults with learning disabilities, autism or physical support needs, usually in supported living or a small residential service.
These are the criteria providers across the UK typically set for this role, so you can judge your own fit before you apply anywhere. Individual services vary — any role we put you forward for will have its own criteria, pay and rota, and we confirm those with the provider first.
What the role usually involves
- Support people with personal care, medication, meals and daily routines at the level of independence their plan sets out
- Help people get out to work, college, appointments, family and the things they actually enjoy
- Work to support plans, positive behaviour support guidance and risk assessments, and say something when they stop matching the person
- Record what you did and what changed, clearly enough for the next shift to pick it up
- Work alongside families, social workers and health professionals involved in someone’s care
Typical criteria
- A genuine interest in the people you would be supporting — most providers weigh values above a CV full of care experience
- Willingness to complete the Care Certificate in your first twelve weeks if you have not already
- Comfort with personal care and, where the service needs it, moving and handling and medication administration after training
- Availability across a rolling rota including weekends and bank holidays
- Clear written English for daily notes, MAR charts and incident records
Often asked for as well
Not usually dealbreakers, but they widen the range of services that will consider you.
- Experience of learning disability, autism or complex-needs services
- Positive behaviour support, Makaton, epilepsy or PEG training
- A full UK driving licence — many services run a vehicle for community access
Hours and pay
Full-time, part-time and bank work. Long days, earlies, lates, alternate weekends and sleep-ins are all normal.
Complex-needs services, waking nights and weekend enhancements sit at the top of the range. Sleep-ins are almost always paid as a separate flat rate, so compare offers on what a full rota adds up to rather than the headline hourly figure.
Checks and eligibility
- An enhanced DBS check on the relevant barred list, or a current one on the update service we can check
- The right to work in the UK — we are not a licensed sponsor, so we cannot offer visa sponsorship or take over an existing certificate
- A full employment history with references covering it, including one from your most recent care employer
- Proof of identity and address, plus evidence of any qualification or professional registration the role depends on