We're looking for a kind, compassionate and resilient Support Worker to join our Learning Disabilities service in Hertfordshire.
£23,400.00 per annum, working 37.5 hours per week.
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. These aren't token gestures - we've thought long and hard about how best to support our team. After all, our people are doing something amazing: helping to transform lives every day.
Our benefits include:
* Annual leave increasing up to 30 days with length of service
* Free DBS (take this out if BSW advert)
* 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
* Healthcare Cashplan through our partner Healthshield
* Cycle to work scheme
* Employee Assistance Programme for 24-7 confidential support
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.
Linden Road in Redbourn supports 2 gentlemen living in their own bungalows with everyday life skills. The service provides a 24/7 support service, with an emphasis on choice and control, enabling customers to achieve greater independence, improved quality of life and integration into the wider community.
We are looking some someone who is able to build supportive, trusting relationships with customers and create a positive atmosphere.
What you'll do:
- 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.
- Building supportive, trusting relationships with customers and creating a positive atmosphere
- To provide a flexible and responsive support service that is tailored to each customer's abilities and aspirations.
- Providing personalised support with daily living activities, including practical assistance to support customers to independent living
- Supporting customers to maintain a healthy environment, including cleaning their accommodation and maintaining good personal hygiene
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:
- Exudes a warm friendly presence and open behaviour
- Is respectful, articulate and sensitive in style of communication
- Excellent communication and teamwork skills
- Excellent customer relationship management and ability to lone work
- Proven experience of motivating and supporting customers
- Is fundamentally calm and resilient, does not let emotion adversely affect them or obscure their judgement
- Is motivated towards excellence and improvement of personal performance with a can do attitude
- Ability to cope positively with challenging and diverse behaviour
- The ability to think creatively to work with the staff team to provide a variety of community activities for our customers
- A willingness to work evenings, weekends and bank holidays on a rota basis.
- A willingness support the customers in various community activities, such as swimming, walking, going to the church etc.
- Driver desirable.
What you'll bring:
Essential:
- NVQ Level 2 or equivalent or experience within charity/social care sector
Desirable:
- Experience in working with people with Learning Disabilities and Autism
- Drivers
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.
Please see our website for the full Job description
Location: Dependent on Parish placement
Contract: 3-year fixed term, part-time (21 hours per week)
Training Provider: Ridley London, the London training centre of Ridley Hall Cambridge
Do you have a passion for working with children and young people?
Do you want to gain hands-on experience in youth and children’s ministry while receiving high-quality training?
As an apprentice, you will work within a parish to develop and strengthen its children and youth ministry while studying with Ridley London. This three-year apprenticeship leads to a Certificate in Higher Education (Level 4) in Foundations in Theology, Ministry and Mission, with a focus on youth and children’s work.
You’ll be employed for 21 hours per week, spending 16 hours in the parish and 5 hours studying.
Parish Requirement
Applicants must apply with a linked parish in Diocese of London. Interested applicants should first speak with their local parish clergy within the London Diocese to confirm their eligibility. We cannot accept applications without a linked parish.
What You’ll Be Doing
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Engaging with children and young people, building positive relationships and supporting their faith journey
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Helping to lead activities such as Sunday school, messy church, youth groups, and holiday clubs
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Creating and delivering new initiatives to deepen young people’s involvement in the church
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Developing outreach work with local schools and community groups
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Leading discipleship courses for young people
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Assisting with administration related to children’s and youth work
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Attending regular team meetings, supervision sessions, and training as part of the apprenticeship
Who We’re Looking For
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Experience in youth and children’s work (voluntary or paid) or community learning and development
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GCSE/NVQ Level 2 qualifications, or a commitment to achieving these within the first year
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A willingness to commit to a three-year apprenticeship, combining study, training, and hands-on experience
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Strong communication skills and the ability to engage and inspire young people
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Self-motivated and enthusiastic, able to work both independently and as part of a team
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A commitment to safeguarding and creating a safe environment for children and young people
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A Christian faith and alignment with the mission and values of the Church of England
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Right to work in the UK
About the Diocese of London and the LDF
The Diocese of London is the group of Church of England organisations located in London, north of the River Thames. It is overseen by the Bishop of London and is made up of parishes, schools, chaplaincies, missional communities, and other organisations across 18 boroughs.
The London Diocesan Fund (LDF) is the main charity that supports the work of the Diocese as a whole by generating income, providing a wide range of services, and paying and housing its clergy.
Safeguarding Statement
The Diocese of London is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults.
Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion
The Diocese of London is committed to creating and sustaining a diverse and inclusive workforce which represents our context and wider community.
We are aware that those of Global Majority Heritage/United Kingdom Minority Ethnic (GMH/UKME), women, and disabled people are currently under-represented among our clergy and workforce, and we particularly encourage applicants from those with the relevant experience that will increase this representation.
Additional Information
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This role has an occupational requirement for the postholder to be a Christian, under Part 1 of Schedule 9 of the Equality Act 2010
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All appointments are subject to acceptable pre-appointment checks, including a satisfactory Enhanced DBS Check
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The location of the role depends on the Parish placement
Why Apply?
This is a fantastic opportunity to:
✔ Gain hands-on ministry experience in a local church
✔ Develop skills in youth and children’s work while being mentored and supported
✔ Earn a Higher Education Certificate in Theology, Ministry, and Mission
✔ Be part of a supportive community of apprentices growing in faith and ministry
If you’re excited about working with young people and exploring a future in ministry, we’d love to hear from you!
For more details, please see the full Job Description.
For every Londoner to encounter the love of God in Christ




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