Support Worker
| Posting date: | 05 June 2026 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £13.10 per hour |
| Hours: | Part time |
| Closing date: | 05 July 2026 |
| Location: | CB23 4GG |
| Remote working: | On-site only |
| Company: | Sense |
| Job type: | Contract |
| Job reference: | 314218JCP |
Summary
We now have exciting opportunities for Support Workers to join our Sense College in Knapwell.
We have various hours available under fixed term contracts to run until the end of academic year in July 2027. Contracts may be renewed, dependent on the number of students attending. Successful candidates will be contracted for 39 weeks of the year, with possible opportunities for overtime. The work patterns will be between Monday to Friday, 9.15 am to 4.15 pm, with no shift work, weekends or evenings.
Sense Centre Knapwell is located in Knapwell village, approximately 10 miles outside of Cambridge surrounded by farm land, and similar distance from Huntingdon, St Neots and St Ives.
As a Support Worker you will be working with young adults with complex communication needs and associated learning difficulties and physical disabilities, providing support to achieve Every Day Living outcomes.
We use a total communication approach which includes a variety of methods such as BSL / Sign Supported English / On Body Signing / Intensive Interaction /Pictorial Symbols and Symbol Systems (PECS) / Hand Under Hand Exploration / Objects of Reference / Voice Output Communication Aids / Vocalisation, Facial Expression and Body Language
Our timetabled activities, both in house and accessed at other local facilities, ensure the interests of the individual can be explored and used to motivate while encouraging learning opportunities. We celebrate and promote the diverse nature of our learners, embracing fundamental British values, whilst encouraging a culture of mutual respect and tolerance. Sessions include Communication, Creative Arts, Therapies & Physical Activities, Lifeskills and Community Access.
We also offer a wonderful range of enrichment activities such as visits to the cinema, the pantomime, PMLD theatre trips, museum ‘touch tours’ and river trips on a barge specifically adapted to suit those with disabilities
The duties are varied and no two days will be the same. The people we support are individuals and they are all treated as such. As a general guide, you may support with personal care needs, as well as help to take part in a wide range of special interests and activities that support their health and wellbeing.
Does this sound right for you?
Working at Sense gives you a wide range of benefits including:
24 days’ holiday + bank holidays; increasing with length of service
Free DBS Check
Free leadership and management development (such as our award winning Growing Stronger Leaders Together programme)
Free access to over 100 online and face to face training including the care certificate.
On-going development opportunities
Flexible working and family friendly policies
Employee referral scheme
Health and well-being support
Pension Scheme
Discount scheme
Your duties can include:
To support individuals / groups within the home, centre and community.
To provide a customised, responsive and high quality service to people with multiple sensory impairments, physical and/or learning disabilities who use Sense services.
To deliver services which meet or exceed organisational expectations and standards.
Full job specification is attached below.
Your required skills and experiences:
You don’t need to have previous experience in this field, nor do you need qualifications – we’re happy to work with you to help you become an excellent support worker.
Knowledge of multi sensory impairments / learning difficulties is beneficial.
Full person specification is attached below.
A full manual UK license and willingness to drive is desirable.
Knowledge of or qualification in British Sign Language or similar is beneficial ( BSL / Makaton etc.)
About Sense Centre Knapwell
The centre is situated on the outskirts of Cambridge approximately 10 miles outside of Cambridge, in the village of Knapwell, approached through an avenue of mature trees and surrounded by farm land, and with its own garden area. The centre is also a similar distance from Huntingdon, St Neots and St Ives as it is to Cambridge.
The centre offers a wide range of education activities that use a person centred approach tailored to learner needs and interests. Programmes focus on developing communication and independent living skills, using the Sense Curriculum Framework to plan individualised targets and objectives that result in achievement and significant outcomes. Specialist trained teaching staff support individuals on their learner journey, inspiring individual progress by encouraging confidence and celebrating success, enabling them to reach their full potential.
Please note, the center is not covered by a public transport route, so it essential that applicants have alternative means of travel.
About Sense
Sense is a leading disability charity, here to break down barriers alongside disabled people with complex needs. We use our knowledge and expertise to deliver personalised, creative and flexible support at every stage of life. Together, we drive change, building a future where everyone has the power, choice and control to live the lives we choose.
We’re proud to be a Disability confident leader and a charity where people can grow their skills and careers in a supportive, flexible environment.
As part of our new three-year strategy, we’re delivering a transformational plan focused on strengthening support for disabled people with complex needs, driving social change and creating a fairer, more equal future. For further information visit: Transforming Sense, together: our three-year plan - Sense
We have various hours available under fixed term contracts to run until the end of academic year in July 2027. Contracts may be renewed, dependent on the number of students attending. Successful candidates will be contracted for 39 weeks of the year, with possible opportunities for overtime. The work patterns will be between Monday to Friday, 9.15 am to 4.15 pm, with no shift work, weekends or evenings.
Sense Centre Knapwell is located in Knapwell village, approximately 10 miles outside of Cambridge surrounded by farm land, and similar distance from Huntingdon, St Neots and St Ives.
As a Support Worker you will be working with young adults with complex communication needs and associated learning difficulties and physical disabilities, providing support to achieve Every Day Living outcomes.
We use a total communication approach which includes a variety of methods such as BSL / Sign Supported English / On Body Signing / Intensive Interaction /Pictorial Symbols and Symbol Systems (PECS) / Hand Under Hand Exploration / Objects of Reference / Voice Output Communication Aids / Vocalisation, Facial Expression and Body Language
Our timetabled activities, both in house and accessed at other local facilities, ensure the interests of the individual can be explored and used to motivate while encouraging learning opportunities. We celebrate and promote the diverse nature of our learners, embracing fundamental British values, whilst encouraging a culture of mutual respect and tolerance. Sessions include Communication, Creative Arts, Therapies & Physical Activities, Lifeskills and Community Access.
We also offer a wonderful range of enrichment activities such as visits to the cinema, the pantomime, PMLD theatre trips, museum ‘touch tours’ and river trips on a barge specifically adapted to suit those with disabilities
The duties are varied and no two days will be the same. The people we support are individuals and they are all treated as such. As a general guide, you may support with personal care needs, as well as help to take part in a wide range of special interests and activities that support their health and wellbeing.
Does this sound right for you?
Working at Sense gives you a wide range of benefits including:
24 days’ holiday + bank holidays; increasing with length of service
Free DBS Check
Free leadership and management development (such as our award winning Growing Stronger Leaders Together programme)
Free access to over 100 online and face to face training including the care certificate.
On-going development opportunities
Flexible working and family friendly policies
Employee referral scheme
Health and well-being support
Pension Scheme
Discount scheme
Your duties can include:
To support individuals / groups within the home, centre and community.
To provide a customised, responsive and high quality service to people with multiple sensory impairments, physical and/or learning disabilities who use Sense services.
To deliver services which meet or exceed organisational expectations and standards.
Full job specification is attached below.
Your required skills and experiences:
You don’t need to have previous experience in this field, nor do you need qualifications – we’re happy to work with you to help you become an excellent support worker.
Knowledge of multi sensory impairments / learning difficulties is beneficial.
Full person specification is attached below.
A full manual UK license and willingness to drive is desirable.
Knowledge of or qualification in British Sign Language or similar is beneficial ( BSL / Makaton etc.)
About Sense Centre Knapwell
The centre is situated on the outskirts of Cambridge approximately 10 miles outside of Cambridge, in the village of Knapwell, approached through an avenue of mature trees and surrounded by farm land, and with its own garden area. The centre is also a similar distance from Huntingdon, St Neots and St Ives as it is to Cambridge.
The centre offers a wide range of education activities that use a person centred approach tailored to learner needs and interests. Programmes focus on developing communication and independent living skills, using the Sense Curriculum Framework to plan individualised targets and objectives that result in achievement and significant outcomes. Specialist trained teaching staff support individuals on their learner journey, inspiring individual progress by encouraging confidence and celebrating success, enabling them to reach their full potential.
Please note, the center is not covered by a public transport route, so it essential that applicants have alternative means of travel.
About Sense
Sense is a leading disability charity, here to break down barriers alongside disabled people with complex needs. We use our knowledge and expertise to deliver personalised, creative and flexible support at every stage of life. Together, we drive change, building a future where everyone has the power, choice and control to live the lives we choose.
We’re proud to be a Disability confident leader and a charity where people can grow their skills and careers in a supportive, flexible environment.
As part of our new three-year strategy, we’re delivering a transformational plan focused on strengthening support for disabled people with complex needs, driving social change and creating a fairer, more equal future. For further information visit: Transforming Sense, together: our three-year plan - Sense
Proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme
Disability Confident
About Disability Confident
A Disability Confident employer will generally offer an interview to any applicant that declares they have a disability and meets the minimum criteria for the job as defined by the employer. It is important to note that in certain recruitment situations such as high-volume, seasonal and high-peak times, the employer may wish to limit the overall numbers of interviews offered to both disabled people and non-disabled people. For more details please go to Disability Confident.