Support Worker
| Posting date: | 27 January 2026 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £25,051.46 per year |
| Additional salary information: | FREE DBS |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 26 February 2026 |
| Location: | Kent, DA12 1PZ |
| Company: | Look Ahead Care, Support and Housing Ltd |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: | REQ006645_1769521147 |
Summary
We're looking for a kind, compassionate and resilient Support Worker to join our Learning Disabilities Social Care Service in Kent.
£25,051.46 per annum, working 37.5 hours per week.
Shift Pattern - 7.30am-3pm, 2.30pm-10pm, 7.30am-10pm
Want to feel like you have an exciting future? You'll feel at home here.
Making you feel at home here means helping you thrive in every way. That's why we offer a wide range of benefits, award-winning Learning & Development and a culture that welcomes all.
Our benefits include:
Annual leave increasing up to 30 days with length of service
Free DBS
Exclusive discounts and cashback via Reward Gateway® and opportunity to buy a Blue Light Card
Fully paid induction programme and further training
ILM courses and Apprenticeship Programmes
Cycle to work scheme
Employee Assistance Programme for 24-7 confidential support
Online wellbeing resources
A generous pension - we will contribute up to 4% and life assurance cover up to £10,000 (T&Cs apply)
Quarterly Staff Awards to reward & recognise our amazing staff's commitment and contribution
All applicants must be legally eligible to work in the UK by the start of employment as Look Ahead are not able to offer sponsorship.
What you'll do:
Your role will include:
Supporting the customer to undertake a full timetable of preferred activities including sport and leisure activities, attending community groups, visiting local amenities, and introducing them to new activities to expand their horizons and networks;
Developing the customer's independent living skills and involving them in all aspects of maintaining and developing their home, including cooking, shopping, cleaning and decorating;
Enabling the customer to keep up with the important people in their life and to meet new people with shared interests;
Supporting the customer to manage their anxieties and frustrations, using Positive Behaviour Support and Autism-specific approaches;
Driving the customer to activities using the customer's vehicle, in rotation with the wider team;
Communicating with family members and a range of other key stakeholders including social work, psychology and commissioning teams;
Consistently reviewing the customer's life goals and their progress towards achieving them, in partnership with them and those important to them;
Supporting the customer with personal care;
Reporting any observations relating to customer welfare;
Maintaining records as required at the project;
Participating in team meetings/reviews, support planning, risk management and the general development of the service;
This is not an exhaustive list of all the duties and responsibilities that may be required from time to time and is subject to change in accordance with the needs of Look Ahead
About you:
Enjoys social interaction and the company of others, joins in local activities to encourage customer involvement
Prefers working as part of a group or team
Is fundamentally calm and resilient, does not let emotion adversely affect them or obscure their judgement
Has a practical and logical mind and is naturally well organised
Thrives on change and enjoys dynamic diverse environments
Is confident with high levels of self-esteem
Is respectful, articulate and sensitive in style of communication
Is motivated towards excellence and improvement of personal performance with a can do attitude
Ability to cope positively with challenging and diverse behaviour
What you'll bring:
Essential:
NVQ Level 2 or equivalent
Minimum 2 years of experience working with customers with Autism/Challenging Behaviour/learning disabilities and supporting them in line with a PBS framework
Desirable:
Has some experience in Trauma Informed care
Has some experience in working with people with Mental health
Driving licence and a willingness to drive as part of support duties
About us:
Look Ahead is a leading, not-for-profit care and support provider in London and the South East. Our vision is to build better lives through social care and housing in local communities. As an organisation we deliver over 100 services, providing support to thousands of customers each year. Our mission is to co-design and deliver services that offer innovative social care solutions and support people to thrive. We work across mental health, homelessness and complex needs, young people and care leavers and learning disabilities so there are plenty of opportunities to grow and progress your career with us.
We have a strong social purpose and we live and work by our values:
We focus on Excellence and innovation.
We are Caring and Compassionate.
We are Inclusive and Trusted.
We work in Partnership and are One-Team.
Look Ahead is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and adults at risk, and expects all employees, workers and volunteers to share this commitment.
If your application for this role is unsuccessful, but we feel that you would be suitable for another role, we may contact you to discuss alternative opportunities. If this occurs you would not need to submit another application for the alternative role.
We reserve the right to close this advert early if we are able to appoint to the vacancy before the advertised closed date.
We are committed to diversity and inclusion at work and are accredited with Silver in the Inclusive Employers Standard 2021. We are a proud member of the Employers Domestic Abuse Covenant and encourage applications from a diverse range of applicants of all backgrounds.