Support Worker (Social Care)
| Posting date: | 08 October 2025 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £12.96 per hour |
| Additional salary information: | £12.96 per hour + allowances |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 07 November 2025 |
| Location: | Chichester, West Sussex |
| Remote working: | On-site only |
| Company: | Southdown |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: | 0301 |
Summary
Support Worker
Support people with learning disabilities to live full, happy lives.
Location: Lennox Court, Chichester
Salary: £12.96 per hour plus allowances
Hours: 16 to 37 hours per week
Allowances (dependent on working times):
Unsociable hours uplift: £4.40 extra per waking night shift
Sleep-in shifts: £61 per shift (10pm–7am)
Sleep-in disturbance: If disturbed for 1–4 hours, you get the unsociable hours uplift plus normal hourly pay for time worked. If disturbed for 4+ hours, you’re paid normal hourly rate for the entire shift plus the £4.40 allowance.
Who are we:
Southdown is a not-for-profit provider of accommodation, care and support for 160 adults with learning and physical disabilities in our 23 supported living services and 4 residential care homes across Sussex.
What you’ll be doing:
Are you passionate about making a real difference? We’re seeking a compassionate and adaptable Support Worker to help individuals live independently and with dignity. Your role involves encouraging clients to connect with their community through activities like walks, cinema, shopping, and café visits, alongside supporting daily living tasks such as cooking, cleaning, and personal care.
You’ll help build clients’ confidence and independence through empowering care in a rewarding role where no two days are the same.
Previous experience in roles such as Health Care Assistant, Support Worker, Nurse, or Mental Health Care Worker is welcome but not essential, as full training will be provided.
‘The best thing about my job is the clients. Getting to know them, getting to know their characters and just enjoying life with them’ – Karen, Southdown Support Worker.
Service Description:
Lennox Court is a supported living service for 6 adults with learning disabilities. Lennox Court is a purpose-built, one storey building in the Parklands area of Chichester. The property has six self-contained flats – each with a specially-adapted bathroom. There is a communal lounge, dining room and kitchen where clients can socialise and take part in activities. The building is very close to the centre of Chichester (about 10 minutes’ walk) and train station (15 minutes’ walk), with frequent local buses.
Our clients are supported to lead active, fulfilling lives and are supported to make the most of their local community while developing each client’s choice, control and independence.
Perks and benefits:
Health cost cash-back scheme: access to our health insurance scheme which covers dental, optical, physical therapies and other medical treatments with the option to add greater levels of cover.
Interest-free loans: assistance with larger costs that arise such as tenancy deposits, season travel tickets or buying a car.
Access to the Easit Network: discounts and incentives on train, bus and car journeys such as 15% off eligible daily and season rail tickets.
Blue Light card: access to discount services for the social care sector with savings across thousands of online shops, restaurants, and high-street vendors.
Free advice and counselling service: confidential emotional support and practical guidance from our independent telephone service.
22 days paid holiday plus bank holidays (or paid time in lieu for any bank holidays worked)
Knowledge, skills and experience
What you need for the role:
A patient, empathetic mindset.
To complete the relevant training provided by Southdown in health and social care, moving and handling, Positive Behaviour Support and safeguarding, safety, risk management and health protocols.
Happy to support clients with intimate and personal care needs.
An Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, which will be paid for by Southdown.
What would be nice:
Experience working with clients with varying levels of physical and cognitive abilities, including those with learning disabilities or mental health challenges.
Experience dealing with challenging situations (including managing clients who may exhibit aggressive behaviour or distress).
An understanding of medication types, dosage, administration methods, and record-keeping practices.
Previous care experience, either professionally or with family members.
An understanding of Makaton or non-verbal communication.
Sometimes Required:
Certain aspects of this role may vary depending on the current needs of the service and the individuals supported. As such, the following requirements may be essential at the time of recruitment, based on team capabilities and client needs:
Physical ability to assist with mobility and personal care tasks, such as pushing wheelchairs, taking long walks, and supporting with bathing.
A full manual driving licence may be required to operate service vehicles and help clients stay connected with their community.
Due to the personal and sensitive nature of the care provided, this post may be restricted to applicants of a particular sex under Schedule 9, Part 1 of the Equality Act 2010, where an occupational requirement applies. This will be assessed based on current client and service needs.
Training:
We offer full training for this position, so you don’t need direct experience. You’ll also gain valuable qualifications, continually develop your skills and build a great career with the largest provider of housing, care and support in Sussex.
How to apply:
Please click on the ‘Apply Now’ button and fill out our simple one-page application form.
We are a Disability Confident Employer and are fully committed to supporting Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) and welcome applications from all candidates that meet our job specifications. If you feel there is a barrier that potentially prevents you from applying, do get in contact with us, as we are always happy to discuss (or arrange a discussion with the recruiting manager) to explore if any reasonable adjustments can be made to support your application.
Support people with learning disabilities to live full, happy lives.
Location: Lennox Court, Chichester
Salary: £12.96 per hour plus allowances
Hours: 16 to 37 hours per week
Allowances (dependent on working times):
Unsociable hours uplift: £4.40 extra per waking night shift
Sleep-in shifts: £61 per shift (10pm–7am)
Sleep-in disturbance: If disturbed for 1–4 hours, you get the unsociable hours uplift plus normal hourly pay for time worked. If disturbed for 4+ hours, you’re paid normal hourly rate for the entire shift plus the £4.40 allowance.
Who are we:
Southdown is a not-for-profit provider of accommodation, care and support for 160 adults with learning and physical disabilities in our 23 supported living services and 4 residential care homes across Sussex.
What you’ll be doing:
Are you passionate about making a real difference? We’re seeking a compassionate and adaptable Support Worker to help individuals live independently and with dignity. Your role involves encouraging clients to connect with their community through activities like walks, cinema, shopping, and café visits, alongside supporting daily living tasks such as cooking, cleaning, and personal care.
You’ll help build clients’ confidence and independence through empowering care in a rewarding role where no two days are the same.
Previous experience in roles such as Health Care Assistant, Support Worker, Nurse, or Mental Health Care Worker is welcome but not essential, as full training will be provided.
‘The best thing about my job is the clients. Getting to know them, getting to know their characters and just enjoying life with them’ – Karen, Southdown Support Worker.
Service Description:
Lennox Court is a supported living service for 6 adults with learning disabilities. Lennox Court is a purpose-built, one storey building in the Parklands area of Chichester. The property has six self-contained flats – each with a specially-adapted bathroom. There is a communal lounge, dining room and kitchen where clients can socialise and take part in activities. The building is very close to the centre of Chichester (about 10 minutes’ walk) and train station (15 minutes’ walk), with frequent local buses.
Our clients are supported to lead active, fulfilling lives and are supported to make the most of their local community while developing each client’s choice, control and independence.
Perks and benefits:
Health cost cash-back scheme: access to our health insurance scheme which covers dental, optical, physical therapies and other medical treatments with the option to add greater levels of cover.
Interest-free loans: assistance with larger costs that arise such as tenancy deposits, season travel tickets or buying a car.
Access to the Easit Network: discounts and incentives on train, bus and car journeys such as 15% off eligible daily and season rail tickets.
Blue Light card: access to discount services for the social care sector with savings across thousands of online shops, restaurants, and high-street vendors.
Free advice and counselling service: confidential emotional support and practical guidance from our independent telephone service.
22 days paid holiday plus bank holidays (or paid time in lieu for any bank holidays worked)
Knowledge, skills and experience
What you need for the role:
A patient, empathetic mindset.
To complete the relevant training provided by Southdown in health and social care, moving and handling, Positive Behaviour Support and safeguarding, safety, risk management and health protocols.
Happy to support clients with intimate and personal care needs.
An Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, which will be paid for by Southdown.
What would be nice:
Experience working with clients with varying levels of physical and cognitive abilities, including those with learning disabilities or mental health challenges.
Experience dealing with challenging situations (including managing clients who may exhibit aggressive behaviour or distress).
An understanding of medication types, dosage, administration methods, and record-keeping practices.
Previous care experience, either professionally or with family members.
An understanding of Makaton or non-verbal communication.
Sometimes Required:
Certain aspects of this role may vary depending on the current needs of the service and the individuals supported. As such, the following requirements may be essential at the time of recruitment, based on team capabilities and client needs:
Physical ability to assist with mobility and personal care tasks, such as pushing wheelchairs, taking long walks, and supporting with bathing.
A full manual driving licence may be required to operate service vehicles and help clients stay connected with their community.
Due to the personal and sensitive nature of the care provided, this post may be restricted to applicants of a particular sex under Schedule 9, Part 1 of the Equality Act 2010, where an occupational requirement applies. This will be assessed based on current client and service needs.
Training:
We offer full training for this position, so you don’t need direct experience. You’ll also gain valuable qualifications, continually develop your skills and build a great career with the largest provider of housing, care and support in Sussex.
How to apply:
Please click on the ‘Apply Now’ button and fill out our simple one-page application form.
We are a Disability Confident Employer and are fully committed to supporting Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) and welcome applications from all candidates that meet our job specifications. If you feel there is a barrier that potentially prevents you from applying, do get in contact with us, as we are always happy to discuss (or arrange a discussion with the recruiting manager) to explore if any reasonable adjustments can be made to support your application.