What does a Support Worker Do?
Being a Support Worker is one of the most rewarding jobs you could choose to do.
As a Support Worker your days will be varied – helping people to take care of themselves, make music, do crafts, go shopping or on a day out. Every day will be rewarding, as you build trust and understanding with those in your care. You may help someone achieve something they haven’t done before and see them shine with pride and happiness.
Support work can be challenging at times but we will support you in growing your skills in communicating, empowering and including our young people in all that they wish to do.
At Lifeworks we put the people we support at the centre of their care. Every decision and plan is made with them and those closest to them, with their best interest at the centre of everything. Through the support we give our aim is to help the people we support to have a great life and achieve their best futures.
Examples of types of work
Home Care and Activities
We support people to live their best lives in a home away from home on either a full time or short-term basis. You will be there to offer support with practical tasks as well as prioritising their emotional well-being by being a champion for them always. From helping people take care of themselves with basic tasks like washing and personal care, dressing and eating to just having fun playing games, doing hobbies or simply hanging out together.
Out in the community
Being active and enjoying the community around us is really important for the people we support, as it is for us. The people you’ll support enjoy a range of activities; going to the cinema, swimming pool, cafes, local attractions or simply to the park. We have so much to enjoy together, right on our doorstep – it’s just a case of choosing what and where!
Life-skills
Having a learning disability can make some tasks harder than most people would find them. Your role will be to support and encourage people to grow their independence bit by bit over time. You will support people to use public transport, go shopping, cook and look after themselves.
Safeguarding
Keeping people safe is our top priority and it is everyone’s responsibility at Lifeworks to make that happen. The people we support have a learning disability and sometimes other physical needs and disabilities which can make them potentially more at risk to harm. You will provide support to keep them safe and treated well. You will need to provide the highest of care standards and keep good administrative records to make sure those we support are safeguarded at all times.
Where is a Lifeworks support worker based?
Our Support Workers are based at either of our children’s residential and respite home in Dartington or our adult’s residential care home in Torbay depending on the role applied for. We provide full time residential care, which is where someone lives with us full time as their permanent home. We also provide children’s short breaks where a young person stays with us for a few days or weeks, offering their families and carers a break from their caring duties.
Whilst you may go to work at a service, a great deal of the activities you’ll do with those you support will be out in the community. It is hard to say what you will be out and about doing, as so much of it is led by the interests of the people you’ll support. For some it will be taking them to volunteer in a local café and for others a day out at an adventure centre. What is important is that you are up for getting out there and trying new things with the people you support.
What makes a good Support Worker?
A good Support Worker is someone who is flexible and will always put the person they are supporting for at the heart of everything they do. Providing the right balance of support and encouragement, patience and understanding – to keep them safe and happy. You will need to work with others involved in their care, such as Lifeworks colleagues and wider support networks ensuring a joined-up approach to give them the best possible future.
What qualifications and experience does a support worker need?
Experience isn’t always essential to becoming a support worker, what is vital is a commitment to help the people we support to have a great life through providing exceptional care.
It is helpful to have relevant qualifications such as Level 3 Diploma in residential child or adult care (or equivalent). Though this qualification is by no means essential, a willingness to gain the qualification within two years is required and Lifeworks will support you to gain this training. We are looking for outstanding staff who will deliver support in a professional, caring way.
Benefits of working for Lifeworks
- 28 days annual leave (inclusive of bank holidays and increasing on length of service
- a company pension scheme
- staff discount scheme
- Employee Assistance Scheme
- as well as an extensive induction on commencement of employment
- ongoing training and supervision
- continuing professional development and support
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