Support Worker - Autism Support

Bluebird Care Mid & West Cornwall · £13.46 to £13.66 an hour (£19.56 on bank holidays) · Part-time, permanent · 10 hours a week, more hours available 

Bluebird Care Mid & West Cornwall is rated Outstanding by the Care Quality Commission (CQC). We help people live well and independently at home and in their community. Our support work service matches each customer with a regular, trusted Support Worker who helps them get out, try new things and live the life they choose.

Role Overview

We are looking for a Support Worker to spend 6 hours a week with an autistic young man who loves photography, and whose real passion is transport, especially trains. Your other 4 hours will be with a second young person we support. (We have other support worker hours if you are looking for full time hours)

This role is not about doing things for him. It is about promoting his independence, being a steady, familiar person he can trust, and sharing time doing things he genuinely enjoys. That might be a trip to watch the trains, a day out with his camera, or planning a journey together. The right person will help him feel safe, understood and confident to do more for himself.

Key Responsibilities

You will be his regular Support Worker, working alongside him, the people close to him and our team:

• Plan and enjoy activities together that build on his love of trains, transport and photography
• Support him to get out and about safely, including travelling by train or bus when he wants to
• Follow his support plan and get to know his routines, how he communicates and what helps him feel calm
• Promote his independence with everyday skills, at a pace that suits him
• Keep clear, simple notes of each visit and share anything important with the office
• Work closely with the people who know him best so his support stays consistent

The best days in this role will not feel like work. When he shares a photo he is proud of, or you see him try something new with confidence, you will know the time you spend together really matters.

What you get

• £13.46 an hour on weekdays and £13.66 an hour at weekends, rising to £19.56 an hour on bank holidays
• Mileage paid at [X]p a mile
• 10 regular hours a week with the same two young people, so you have the time to really get to know them
• More hours if you want them, across our other support work packages
• Unhurried time together, not rushed visits
• The trust to bring your own ideas and plan activities with him
• A friendly office team who know you by name and are there when you need them

We are open to a conversation about pay for the right person.

Essential

• Work experience supporting autistic people
• Autism training
• A full UK driving licence and access to a reliable vehicle
• A calm, patient and kind approach
• Reliability. He will be counting on you to turn up when you say you will

Desirable

• An interest in trains, transport or photography, or a real willingness to learn
• Positive behaviour support training
• A Level 2 or 3 Diploma in Health and Social Care
• Experience supporting young adults

Your background could be anything. You might have been a teaching assistant in a special school, a youth worker, or worked in a residential home or day service. 

How we will grow you

Every new Support Worker starts with a full induction, including the Care Certificate and the Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training on Learning Disability and Autism. You will have regular supervision and someone to talk to whenever you need it. If you would like to build a career in care, we will support you to work towards your Level 2 and Level 3 Diplomas, and there is a clear route into senior, supervisor and coordinator roles.

Before you apply

• You will need the right to work in the UK. We are unable to offer visa sponsorship for this role.
• A full UK driving licence and access to a reliable vehicle are essential.
• DBS checking and references will be undertaken in line with government regulations and recruitment best practices.
• Bluebird Care Mid & West Cornwall is an equal opportunities employer.
• We may close this vacancy early once we find the right person, so do apply soon.

Apply using the link, or email your CV to cornwallmid@bluebirdcare.co.uk If you would like an informal conversation, please contact us on 01872 276006. We would love to hear from you.