Support Worker

**Post Title**:Support Worker
**Location: Acorns**, Cornford Lane, Pembury, Kent, TN2 4QU

**Hours of Work**: 37.5 hours per week

**Salary**: £20,319 Approx. annual salary non inclusive of any overtime etc -£10.42 per hour

Empowerment. Inclusivity. Integrity
MadewithCare

**What you can expect from us**:

- **Fantastic paid training** and career progression opportunities (including recognised qualifications in health and social care)
- **Paid DBS** (_we will recover the cost should your employment terminate for any reason, other than redundancy, before passing your probation)_
- **Flexible work arrangements **with opportunities to take on additional bank shifts too
- **30 Days Annual Leave** (including Bank Holidays) / Pro rata dependent on hours. Annual leave entitlement increases with length of service
- **Nest Pension** and Death in Service Benefit
- Dedicated Employee Assistance Programme and Access to Mental Health First Aiders
- Access to the Blue Light Card (providing discounts on the high street and online) as well as **25% discounts** in our own stores and Cafés.
- **Refer a Friend scheme,** so you can earn up to **£250** for every person you refer to work for Aspens
- Recognition schemes, including **‘Employee of the Month’**

We recognise that good support workers come from all walks of life.
Whether you have years of care experience or no experience at all, if you are a caring person, passionate about empowering others and ready to learn new skills we think you could be a great fit at Aspens

**Acorns** is located on our main Cornford Lane site, It provides a wide range of activities for people on the autism spectrum, with a learning disability or with complex needs, supporting them to lead interesting, active and rewarding lives.

We hold small group sessions with six people to one tutor. This ensures that everyone works at their own pace and receives all the support they need. We also provide one-to-one support. We actively encourage visitors to view our facilities and offer taster sessions for those who are interested in taking part in our activities. Acorns is fully accessible.These daytime activities help people gain new, practical and social skills and provide beneficial therapy. Some people enjoy the opportunity to learn new things or express themselves creatively whilst others choose to pursue a particular interest by studying for their City & Guilds qualifications - practically based qualifications, designed for people with a learning disability and recognized by employers.

As a Support Worker you would be expected to help support individuals including; taking individuals on days out, providing personal care, cleaning, attending appointments, assisting individuals to day services, going on service user holidays and anything else to help improve the lives of those we support.

**Help towards mileage will be given on the days required.**

Aspens Charities are looking for Caring, hardworking and understanding people to join us to promote the values that Aspens champions; respect, honesty, empowerment and professionalism.

We are looking for those who are able and willing to work toward their own personal progression, for self-development and to be able to better support the people we work with. We have an incredible internal training team who support staff from day one to not only benefit your career going forwards but to offer you that first step in a new career if this is what you’re looking for.

**Essentials Skills & Requirements**:

- A caring personality with a drive to help others
- Positive ‘can-do’ attitude
- A calm, friendly and patient nature
- Good problem-solving skills
- Good sense of humour
- Team worker with good communication skills
- Flexible approach to work
- Trustworthy
- Good listening and ability to show empathy
- Good English and Maths Skills
- Willingness to learn and develop

Our ideal support worker should be able to work as part of a team but also be able to work on a 1:1 basis, be confident, caring, able to assist with recording finances, medication & writing and recording daily information.

**Desirable Skills, Qualifications and Experiences**:

- Experience as a care or support worker
- Experience in supporting vulnerable adults with learning difficulties, physical disabilities and autism.

Experience - Manual handling required (training is given)
- Full Driving Licence with access to transport

How to Apply:
If you are friendly, dedicated and passionate about supporting others we would LOVE to speak to you

Aspens Charities are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive working environment, we are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will receive equal consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status. Aspens is also committed to compliance with all fair employment practices regarding citiz