Job Description

Care & Support Worker

Please note, this add is for x3 Care and Support Worker jobs for a scheme in Colchester, and three more in Tendering.

Reports To:

Service Manager

Why

Job Summary:

The Care and Support Worker is responsible for delivering day to day care, support, and supervision to residents living within the supported accommodation services. The role operates under the direction and oversight of the Service Manager and contributes directly to the delivery of structured, purposeful support that is more than minimal and capable of being evidenced for Housing Benefit and local authority scrutiny.

The role supports individuals with a range of needs, including mental health, neurodiversity, substance misuse histories, and social vulnerability. Some residents may not have been assessed under the Care Act 2014; however, care, support, and supervision must still be delivered in line with identified needs, support plans, and risk assessments. The Care and Support Worker plays a key role in maintaining safety, stability, routine, and engagement within the service and must work both as part of a team and through lone working and shift work where required.

What

Main Accountabilities

Provide care, support, and supervision to residents in line with individual support plans, risk assessments, and service expectations set by the Service Manager.

Support residents with daily living activities, including personal care where required, meal preparation, cleaning, laundry, and maintaining a safe living environment.

Deliver structured and planned support sessions that promote wellbeing, independence, routine, and tenancy sustainment, rather than reactive or ad hoc contact.

Provide medication prompting and supervision where required, in line with organisational procedures and individual support plans.

Carry out welfare checks, health and safety checks, and monitoring of resident presentation, escalating concerns promptly to the Service Manager.

Maintain clear professional boundaries and reinforce house rules, licence conditions, and behavioural expectations consistently and fairly.

Respond to distress, conflict, or challenging behaviour calmly, using de escalation techniques and safe working practices.

Identify, report, and record safeguarding concerns, incidents, and risks in line with safeguarding procedures and under the direction of the Service Manager.

Maintain accurate, timely, and factual daily logs, support records, and incident reports that clearly evidence support delivery.

Work collaboratively with colleagues, contributing to effective handovers and consistency of approach across shifts.

Support residents to access external services, attend appointments, complete paperwork, and progress towards move on where appropriate.

Operate at all times within organisational policies and procedures, including safeguarding, health and safety, GDPR, and professional conduct requirements.

Understand that the role contributes directly to service compliance and must be delivered in a way that supports audit readiness and quality assurance activity led by the Service Manager.

Competencies

How are you committed to making a difference?

You demonstrate a clear commitment to person centred support and to improving outcomes for residents. You understand the purpose of supported accommodation and work in a way that promotes safety, dignity, stability, and progress. You recognise the importance of routine and structure for residents with complex needs and engage consistently rather than only in response to issues. You take pride in your role and understand that the quality of your daily practice has a direct impact on residents' wellbeing and the credibility of the service.

You work closely with colleagues and follow direction from the Service Manager to maintain a safe and stable environment. You understand the risks associated with supported accommodation and take responsibility for following health and safety procedures, lone working protocols, and risk management plans. You contribute to clear handovers and share relevant information to ensure continuity of support. You escalate concerns promptly and recognise that safeguarding and safety are shared responsibilities. You support residents in a way that promotes independence, choice, and confidence. You encourage engagement with daily routines, activities, and services while offering appropriate practical and emotional support. You work in line with support plans and remain responsive to changes in need or presentation. You recognise that progress may be gradual and maintain a patient, consistent, and non judgemental approach. You communicate clearly and professionally with residents, colleagues, and external professionals. You listen actively and adapt your communication style to individual needs. You ensure residents feel heard and supported, particularly during difficult or sensitive conversations. Your written records are accurate, factual, and completed in a timely manner, supporting accountability and compliance. You remain flexible and calm in a dynamic environment. You are able to balance planned work with unplanned situations, prioritising effectively and following escalation processes where required. You understand when to act independently and when to seek guidance from the Service Manager.

You work in line with legislation, regulatory expectations, and organisational policies at all times. You maintain professional boundaries, uphold safeguarding responsibilities, and respect confidentiality. You engage positively with supervision and training and understand the importance of accurate record keeping and consistent standards within supported accommodation.

Person Specification

Criteria which will be used in short listing and selecting candidates.

Skills/Abilities -

Ability to manage and prioritise a range of tasks effectively within a supported accommodation environment, including direct care and support, routine checks, record keeping, and responding appropriately to unplanned situations, while remaining organised and focused throughout each shift. Ability to follow structured plans, including support plans, risk assessments, and daily activity schedules, while adapting appropriately when residents' needs or service priorities change, in line with direction from the Service Manager. Demonstrable commitment to delivering high quality, person centred care, support, and supervision, treating residents with dignity and respect and understanding the importance of consistency, routine, and meaningful engagement. Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to listen effectively, engage empathetically with residents, and communicate clearly with colleagues, managers, and external professionals. Ability to accurately input, maintain, and update records on computer based systems, including daily logs, incident reports, and support records, in a timely and professional manner. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with residents, colleagues, and professionals, including individuals who may be disengaged, distressed, or reluctant to engage. Ability to work constructively as part of a team, contributing to handovers and consistent practice, while also being able to work independently and on own initiative during lone working or shift based roles. Ability to exercise appropriate authority and maintain clear professional boundaries, enforcing house rules, licence conditions, and behavioural expectations fairly, calmly, and consistently, in line with guidance from the Service Manager. Ability to manage challenging or stressful situations calmly and safely, using de escalation techniques, safe working practices, and seeking guidance or escalation when required. Ability to motivate and encourage residents to engage with support, develop skills, and work towards positive outcomes, using structured and person centred approaches rather than reactive support. Empathy and discretion when dealing with sensitive, personal, or confidential information, with a clear understanding of confidentiality and professional conduct requirements. Experience facilitating group based activities or structured sessions, such as life skills, wellbeing, or engagement activities. Basic counselling skills or training in areas such as mental health first aid or emotional support techniques. Full driving licence and willingness to drive service users in a company vehicle where required. Additional communication skills, including other languages or British Sign Language, relevant to the resident group. Creative, practical, or recreational skills that can be used to support meaningful engagement and activity within the service.

Knowledge -

Understanding of the needs of individuals with complex needs, including mental health conditions, neurodiversity, substance misuse histories, and social vulnerability. Knowledge of how these needs can impact behaviour, communication, engagement, and daily functioning within a supported accommodation setting. Sound understanding of safeguarding principles, including recognising abuse or neglect, understanding reporting responsibilities, and knowing how to escalate concerns appropriately. Understanding of equality, diversity, and human rights, and how to uphold residents' rights, dignity, and choice in daily practice. Clear understanding of professional boundaries, confidentiality, and data protection requirements, including GDPR. Knowledge or experience of working with individuals involved with the criminal justice system, including probation or licence conditions. Knowledge of health and safety principles within a residential or supported accommodation environment, including fire safety, COSHH, food hygiene, and infection control. Understanding of trauma informed approaches and how past trauma may affect trust, behaviour, and engagement. Awareness of local community services and resources that can support residents' wellbeing, recovery, and move on.

Education, Certification & Experience

Good literacy and numeracy skills, with the ability to read and understand support plans, risk assessments, and service documentation, and to produce clear and accurate written records. Experience working with individuals who have experienced social or personal difficulties, gained through paid employment, volunteering, or relevant life experience. Experience using Microsoft Word, Outlook, and basic Excel for record keeping and communication. Basic understanding of safeguarding responsibilities within a care or support environment, with willingness to undertake mandatory safeguarding training. Previous experience working within a residential supported accommodation, hostel, refuge, or similar setting. Experience supporting individuals or groups to achieve behaviour change, such as through mentoring, programmes, or structured interventions. Understanding of factors linked to vulnerability or offending, including substance misuse, housing instability, or unemployment. Relevant qualifications in health and social care or support work, such as NVQ or QCF Level 2 or 3, Care Certificate, or equivalent. First Aid certification and additional training such as Mental Health First Aid, medication prompting, de escalation techniques, or MAPA.

Safeguarding Responsibilities

You have a responsibility to safeguard and promote the welfare of all residents within the service. You must remain alert to signs of abuse, neglect, or exploitation and report concerns immediately in line with safeguarding procedures and under the direction of the Service Manager. You are expected to maintain professional boundaries, safe working practices, and a safeguarding focused approach in all aspects of your role.

- Role subject to change to meet the needs of the service and company.

Job Types: Full-time, Part-time

Pay: 25,000.00-27,000.00 per year

Expected hours: 37 per week

Work Location: In person