Job Description for Support Worker

Job Purpose

Job Purpose

To provide high-quality, compassionate and person-centred support to adults within their own homes, helping them to live fulfilling lives, maintain their independence and achieve their personal goals.

The role involves providing practical, physical, emotional and social support tailored to each individual’s needs, wishes and preferences, while promoting dignity, choice, safety and wellbeing.

Support Workers are expected to follow individual support plans, risk assessments and Cumbria Quality Care’s policies and procedures, ensuring the highest standards of professional practice.

Accountable To

The Registered Manager – Chloe Gallagher

Main Activities and Responsibilities

As a Support Worker, you will support adults with a range of needs, including learning disabilities, autism, acquired brain injuries, physical disabilities, sensory impairments and additional emotional or social support needs.

You will work closely with individuals, their families, colleagues and other professionals to provide safe, consistent and personalised support that enables individuals to live their lives in the way they choose.

Your main responsibilities will include:

Person-Centred Support

• Delivering support in accordance with individual support plans, assessed needs, wishes and preferences.
• Providing compassionate, holistic support that considers each individual’s physical, emotional, social and practical needs.
• Respecting individual rights, choices, beliefs, cultural backgrounds and personal preferences.

Promoting Independence and Personal Development

• Encouraging individuals to develop and maintain daily living skills.
• Supporting individuals to make informed choices and maintain control over their lives.
• Helping individuals achieve personal goals, develop confidence and maximise their independence.

Personal Care, Health and Wellbeing

• Providing personal care, including washing, dressing, personal hygiene and continence support, where required.
• Supporting individuals with medication in accordance with agreed procedures, training and assessed competence.
• Assisting individuals to access healthcare appointments and follow relevant healthcare guidance.
• Promoting healthy lifestyles, emotional wellbeing and positive daily routines.

Emotional and Social Support

• Building positive, trusting and professional relationships.
• Providing emotional reassurance, encouragement and appropriate support during difficult situations.
• Supporting individuals to maintain relationships with family, friends and their wider community.
• Encouraging participation in education, employment opportunities, recreational activities and social experiences.

Daily Living and Household Support

• Supporting individuals with meal planning, food preparation and maintaining appropriate nutrition and hydration.
• Assisting with shopping, laundry, cleaning and general household responsibilities.
• Encouraging individuals to participate in household activities wherever possible to promote independence.
• Supporting individuals with budgeting and shopping in accordance with agreed support plans and financial procedures.

Communication and Partnership Working

• Communicating effectively with individuals using appropriate methods, communication aids and individual communication strategies.
• Maintaining positive and professional communication with families, representatives, colleagues and multidisciplinary professionals.
• Reporting relevant information, observations and concerns to the appropriate person in a timely manner.

Safeguarding, Safety and Risk Management

• Promoting the safety, dignity, rights and wellbeing of everyone receiving support.
• Recognising and promptly reporting safeguarding concerns, changes in needs or potential risks.
• Following individual risk assessments, safe working practices and agreed support strategies.
• Supporting individuals to make informed choices while recognising their rights and the importance of positive risk-taking.

Record Keeping and Confidentiality

• Maintaining clear, accurate, factual and timely records of support provided.
• Recording and reporting relevant incidents, observations and changes in individual needs.
• Maintaining confidentiality and complying with data protection requirements and organisational procedures.

Other Duties and Professional Responsibilities

• Follow Cumbria Quality Care’s policies, procedures, professional standards and Code of Conduct.
• Comply with health and safety requirements and report hazards, accidents and incidents appropriately.
• Complete all mandatory training, induction requirements and relevant competency assessments.
• Participate in supervision, team meetings, training and ongoing professional development.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues to maintain consistent, high-quality support.
• Maintain professional boundaries and demonstrate reliability, honesty, compassion and respect.
• Work flexibly to meet the needs of individuals and the service, in accordance with agreed working arrangements.
• Undertake other reasonable duties appropriate to the role, training and level of competence.

Promoting the safety, dignity and wellbeing of everyone we support, recognising potential risks and promptly reporting any concerns in accordance with safeguarding procedures.

• Accurate Record Keeping – Maintaining clear, accurate, factual and timely records of support provided, observations, incidents and relevant information, ensuring confidentiality and compliance with data protection requirements.
• Following Support Plans – Working in accordance with individual support plans, risk assessments and agreed strategies to ensure safe, consistent and effective support.
• Policies and Procedures – Understanding and consistently following Cumbria Quality Care’s policies, procedures and professional standards.
• Health and Safety – Adhering to Cumbria Quality Care’s health and safety policies, identifying and reporting potential hazards, following safe working practices and contributing to a safe environment for individuals, colleagues and others.

Throughout your role, you will be expected to demonstrate compassion, professionalism, reliability and a commitment to promoting dignity, respect, independence and positive outcomes for everyone we support.

Knowledge & Expertise

Knowledge, Skills and Personal Attributes

• An understanding of person-centred support and the importance of dignity, respect, choice and independence.
• Awareness of safeguarding, confidentiality and professional responsibilities.
• Good communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build positive and professional relationships.
• A compassionate, patient, caring and non-judgemental approach.
• The ability to follow instructions, support plans and agreed procedures.
• Good organisational skills, reliability and the ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
• A willingness to learn, develop new skills and undertake relevant training.
• A commitment to equality, diversity, inclusion and respecting individual differences.

Previous experience and qualifications are welcomed but are not essential. Cumbria Quality Care provides a comprehensive induction, training programme and ongoing support to individuals who demonstrate the right values, attitude and commitment to providing excellent care.

Essential Requirements

Essential Requirements

• Enhanced DBS Check – A satisfactory Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, including relevant barred list checks where legally required.
• Satisfactory References – A minimum of two suitable references, preferably including the applicant’s most recent employer.
• Right to Work – Evidence of the legal right to work in the UK and successful completion of required pre-employment checks.
• Training Commitment – Willingness to complete all mandatory training, induction requirements and competency assessments relevant to the role.
• Professional Conduct – A commitment to safeguarding, confidentiality, professional boundaries and Cumbria Quality Care’s policies and procedures.
• Personal Values – Demonstrating compassion, respect, reliability and a genuine commitment to supporting individuals to live fulfilling and independent lives.
• Flexibility – The ability and willingness to work flexibly in accordance with the requirements of the role and agreed working arrangements.

Our Commitment to Staff

At Cumbria Quality Care, we recognise that our staff are central to delivering high-quality support. We are committed to providing a positive and supportive working environment where every team member feels valued, respected and encouraged to develop.

We provide comprehensive induction, ongoing training, regular supervision and opportunities to achieve recognised health and social care qualifications.

We actively encourage personal development and career progression, offering opportunities for staff to develop specialist skills and progress into Advanced Support Worker and Team Leader roles.

Our aim is to develop a compassionate, skilled and confident workforce who share our commitment to making a positive difference in the lives of the people we support.