Are you considering a career change, seeking a role that allows you to make a meaningful impact, or have personal experience supporting a friend or family member and now wish to pursue a career in social care? If so, we would be delighted to hear from you.
We are recruiting for a Support Worker to join us supporting four incredible residents living in Crewkerne.
Please note: Autism Unlimited is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this role.
The role
Middle Path is home to four fantastic people, each with their own unique personalities and support needs. Our welcoming main bungalow accommodates two female residents and one male resident, while a self-contained annex offers another male resident the opportunity to enjoy greater independence and personal space in a supportive environment.
In this role, you will play an active part in enriching the daily lives of the people we support. You’ll get involved in a wide range of activities that promote confidence, well-being, and independence, including:
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Relaxing day trips to the seaside
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Friendly, fun-filled games of bowling
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Meals out and exploring local restaurants
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Calmer days spent gardening or getting creative with arts and crafts
Some residents may at times display behaviours that challenge, but you’ll receive comprehensive training and ongoing guidance to help you feel confident and capable in responding to any situation.
At the heart of everything we do is promoting the independence of the person we support, and ensuring we have a relaxed, empathetic and encouraging team working with us helps us achieve this aim.
As a valued member of our team, your role will involve a mix of meaningful support — from helping with daily routines like food preparation, shopping, and personal care, to accompanying residents as they access the community and pursue their interests. You may also assist with administering medication.
Hours of work
7am – 10pm (shifts)
This role would include working alternate weekends
A day in the life of a Support Worker would include:
- Sharing your skills and life knowledge with the people we support to enable good life skills and independence when living in the community
- Maintaining consistent and accurate records regarding care plans, finances, appointments and medication
- Following the support plan in plan for each person we support to enable the person to feel comfortable and happy, adapting this as required based on change in behaviour
- Providing some elements of personal care from personal hygiene prompts, helping to bath and wash, medication
See what it is like to support someone at AU!
Why join us?
See how we take care of our team- explore our great benefits online!
Apply now:
If you have any questions or want to discuss the role more, please call the Talent Team on 01202 084834.
Carly would be happy to help!
Start date: March 2026
Our commitment
We welcome applications from everyone and value diversity in our workforce.
Wewill ensure that all our recruitment and selection practicesreflect this. Anyone with any form of disability will be provided with reasonable adjustments in order to participate in the job application or interview process. As part of our commitment to providing reasonable adjustments, please let us know if you require support to complete your application.
Autism Unlimited is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to hiring a diverse workforce. Any vacancy we have will be filled based on qualifications and best fit without any reference to race, colour, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, marital status, veteran status, disability, age, religion or any other classification protected by law.
All successful candidates will besubject to disclosure and barring checks along with other re...
Person Specification
We have described below the range of qualifications, experience, knowledge, skills and attributes we are
looking for. We will use this to manage our selection process and also to identify training/development
needs once in post. We aim to recruit individuals who largely satisfy these criteria. Shortlisted
candidates will need to demonstrate how they meet the essential criteria.
Job Title: Residential Support Worker
Service: Residential Childrens Homes
Qualifications
Professional or vocational qualification required for service area ( NVQ
level 3 caring for Children and Young People/Residential Care and
Family Support, Nursing qualification, RNLD )
Child Protection Procedures
Child Development
First Aid
Challenging Behaviour
Relationships and Sexuality Issues
Experience
Experience of working with children and young people in a residential
setting
Experience of care planning services for looked after children.
Experience of legislation, regulations, and standards relevant to
service area
Experience of collaborative working with partner agencies
Skills/Attributes
Ability to motivate children and young people
Communication skills appropriate levels to required
environment/situation
Contribute to improvement at work
Report writing
Key for assessment:
A=Application form, I=Interview
Essential/
Desirable
Criteria
Key for
Assessment
E
E
E
D
D
D
E
E
E
E
E
A/Q
A/Q
A/Q
A/Q
A/Q
A/Q
A/I
A/I
A/I
A/I
.
A/I
E
A/I
E
E
A/I
A/I
Counselling
Problem solving
Self-motivated
Warm, Friendly, accepting and patient
Ability to set meaningful boundaries for children and young people
Ability to form part of a team
Ability to recognize and manage own stress levels
Personal integrity and flexibility
Role requirements
To assist the Residential Team to provide a high standard of childcare
in a stable and relaxed environment where safeguarding young people
is paramount
To contribute to assessment and care planning process and
procedures relevant to young people
Understanding of Adolescent behaviour management
To be passionate about a high-quality care for young people
Demonstrate ability to provide empathetic and dedicated care and
support for people with complex needs, fostering an environment of
compassion and personalized support
Excellent communication skills, verbal and written
Must have a Full UK Driving License and access to a vehicle
Date produced:
D
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
D
E
E
E
E
A/I
A/I
A/I
A/I
A/I
A/I
A/I
A/I
A/I
A/I
A/L
A/L
A/L
A/L
A/L
Key for assessment:
A=Application form, I=Interview
JOB DESCRIPTION Job Title: Service: Residential Support Worker Residential Service Hours of work: Full Time - 37hrs per week, 148hrs in a 4 week period Part Time – 25hrs per week 100hrs in a 4 week period Pattern of work: Head Office : Work locations: Salary Range: Hours of work include evening shifts, day shifts, weekend working and bank holidays as part of a flexible working Rota and sleep in duties, on occasion waking night shifts. To meet the needs of the service Buckshaw Office CANW residential children’s home, Wilpshire £28, 486 - £30,091 (£14.77 - £16.02). Full time, Part time pro-rata Sleep in payment will be paid at minimum wage hourly rate of £12.60 Between the hours of 11pm and 7am Reporting to: Registered Manager – Responsible Individual Weekend work/unsociable hours - hourly rate plus a third Responsible for: N/A 1 PURPOSE OF THE JOB 1.1 Promote a safe and secure environment for children/young people and ensures that others adhere to policies, procedures, and working practices. 1.2 1.3 To provide day-to-day care for young people aged 8 to 17 with social and emotional mental health difficulties. To establish a clear transition plan to rehabilitation to birth families, fostering or independent living. Responsible for ensuring that young people are prepared for and supported to reach independence. 1.4 To foster a safe, secure, and accepting environment encouraging positive behaviour in all aspects of the young person's life. 1.5 Ensure that the wishes and feelings of children/young people are considered in all aspects of their daily care and in accordance with their age and understanding. Ensure children and young people have forums to contribute to decisions about their lives. 1.6 Provides opportunities for children/young people to learn, develop, and reach their full potential through regular and consistent access to education and wider experiences that will enrich their life. 1.7 Support children/young people to maintain a good level of health and well-being whilst developing their awareness of areas that can negatively impact their well-being. 1.8 Promotes the needs of each child/young person arising from their racial, cultural, and religious backgrounds. Enable children/young people to establish their own identity within their home environment. 1.9 Responsible for the development, monitoring, and review of care plans with the young person, including risk assessments, ensuring that appropriate others are aware of the child/young person’s individual needs & requirements. 1.10 Supports children/young people to maintain meaningful relationships with those important to them. Where appropriate. Supports children/young people to establish, develop, and maintain relationships and social networks outside of the home. 1.11 Promote a safe, secure, and accepting environment for children/young people where positive behaviour is encouraged and praised. 1.12 Provide appropriate and meaningful boundaries which support children/young people’s understanding of the benefits of positive behaviour on their own and others health, safety, and well-being. Responds consistently on a day-to-day basis to incidents of challenging behaviour and supports others to develop consistency in their own practice. 2 PRINCIPAL DUTIES 2.1 Promotes open and effective relationships with children/young people where they can share concerns about their health, well-being and relationships. Promote health and well-being raising awareness of factors that can impact on it. 2.2 Recognizes signs and symptoms of abuse and harm and ensures that respectful observations are made of children/young people to ensure their safety is paramount. 2.3 Ensure that disclosures of danger, harm, or abuse made by children/young people are responded to in a calm and sensitive manner and are accurately recorded and reported. Ensures that children/young people are openly and honestly informed of who will need to be contacted if a disclosure of danger, harm, or abuse is disclosed. 2.4 Ensure that the wishes, feelings, and preferences of children/young people are listened to and considered whilst maintaining safeguarding practice. Support the young person to respectfully challenge decisions where the best interests of the child/young person are not being fully considered. 2.5 Support children//young people in establishing their identity and ensuring their wishes are considered. 2.6 2.7 To work in partnership with other agencies/professionals and seek to understand their individual roles and responsibilities. To collaborate with parents, carers, and other professionals to benefit the young person. To work in partnership with other agencies/professionals to devise, monitor and review care plans that promote the health, well-being, and protection of children/young people. Ensuring all significant information is shared with relevant professionals in the best interests of the child/y...