Support Worker - Respite Care Team

Do you want to work in a rewarding role where every day brings new challenges and fulfilment? Join our dedicated Care team providing high-quality respite care to individuals and their families as a Support Worker in Whitley in Reading. You will have experience in working in care or support setting, treating our clients with dignity and respect whilst meeting their individual care needs, including support with personal care.

We seek the best talent from the widest pool of people as diversity and inclusion is the key to our success. Reading Borough Council is a Disability Confident Employer and is committed to the recruitment and continued employment of people with disabilities.

About us and the role:
Applicants must have the right to work in the UK - Sponsorship not available.

We are a Respite Care Team registered with the CQC whose aims are to provide high quality support to adults with complex learning disabilities, regardless of gender, race, religion or sexual orientation.

The Respite Care Team provides clients with opportunities to develop independence, build positive relationships and be empowered to make informed choices, within a person-centred approach.

Respite Care offers brief respites to caregivers from their full-time caregiving responsibilities. No day may the same due to the rotation of service users requiring our service. Furthermore, the ideal candidate should possess the capacity to evaluate risks and devise strategies to mitigate and handle them effectively.

The working pattern will include working shift patterns including weekends and sleep-ins. A typical early shift may start at 7.00am during the week and 7.30am on Weekends and a late shift may start at 2.00pm with a 9.00pm finish or a 9.30pm finish if you are doing a sleep-in. You will be required to work two weekends in three.

You will be able to demonstrate:

• Good general education, to include good literacy skills
• NVQ3/QCF Level 3 Diploma in Care and Promoting Independence or commitment to achieving this
• A commitment to delivering Person Centred Support to a range of individuals
• Able to relate to service users and meet their needs, with a sense of understanding, patience, respect and dignity
• Ability to accurately maintain and review individual client files
• Ability to undertake manual handling tasks
• Ability to work effectively as part of a team as well as on own initiative (there may be occasions where lone working may be applicable)
• Ability to communicate effectively both written and verbally
• Ability to be self-motivating
• Basic Microsoft IT skills, ability to read/check emails etc.

Progression through the full salary range is dependent on attaining the relevant QCF qualification. You will also demonstrate a commitment to anti oppressive practice along with a flexible attitude to travelling around and working in the local area.

You’ll be part of a team that relies on each individual to play their part to the best of their ability. As well as the colleagues that you work closely with every day, you’ll also be part of Team Reading, playing your personal part in making Reading a successful and vibrant place.

Our vision is to ensure that Reading realises its potential as a great place to live, work and play, and that everyone shares the benefits of this success. Our values and behaviours guide how we will achieve this:

Work Together as one team - work collaboratively, with each other and with our partners, and demonstrate the Team Reading values in everything we do.

Drive Efficiency - show initiative, be adaptable to change and put forward ideas to help improve delivery and efficiency. Take responsibility for our own learning and development and for reaching our potential.

Be Ambitious - be demanding of our own performance – striving to be even better – and be prepared to engage with and challenge leaders in a constructive and positive way.

Make a Difference to Reading - maintain the highest levels of customer service and be flexible and willing to provide the services needed at the time they are needed.

Our offer:

We offer a supportive environment to grow and develop your career with the opportunity to put your ideas across. Innovation and ambition are strongly encouraged, and you’ll get a great feel for that working in our friendly and collaborative environment.

A competitive salary alongside a range of benefits including:

• Generous holiday entitlement - 25 days holiday each year plus bank holidays - rising to 33 days after 10 years' service, with the option to buy additional leave.
• A wide range of flexible working opportunities
• Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
• Life Assurance - three times your annual salary (for members of the LGPS)
• On-site day nursery (Kennet Day nursery) rated outstanding by Ofsted.
• Season Ticket Loan - a loan to help with the cost of your rail or bus journey, to and from work.
• Lease car salary sacrifice scheme allowing you to lease a brand new, greener car for three years. The monthly fee includes insurance, servicing and road tax.

For an informal discussion about the Support Worker post, please contact Rachel Jerrard (Team Manager) on 07834 964 762 – rachel.jerrard@reading.gov.uk, Karen Rumbol (Senior Support Worker) on 07973 793 837 – karen.rumbol@reading.gov.uk

Closing Date: Sunday 29th June 2025

Interviews: To be confirmed

Please note that the closing date is given as a guide. We reserve the right to close this vacancy once a sufficient number of applications has been received. Therefore, it is strongly advised that you complete and return your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

Visit: www.moretoreading.co.uk to find out more about Reading’s Community & Adult Social Care Services. It’s a chance to hear from the people who already work here and why they have chosen Reading as their professional destination.