Support Worker - Autism & Jewish Community Experience

About the role

We are looking for a calm, reliable and experienced Support Worker to provide 1:1 support to a young person with autism, global developmental delay and ADHD.

The role involves providing support within the family home and local community. We are particularly interested in applicants who have previous experience working with children or young people with autism and behavioural support needs, as well as experience supporting individuals or families within the Jewish community.

An understanding of Orthodox Jewish customs, kosher dietary requirements and the importance of respecting family and religious practices is important for this placement.

Location: NW11, London

Shifts: Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, 6:30pm–9:30pm, occasional weekend support

Pay/Rate: £14.80 – £15.50 per hour (varies by assignment and experience)

Key Responsibilities

• Provide consistent 1:1 support within the family home and local community
• Maintain close supervision and support the young person to remain safe
• Build a trusting and positive relationship using a calm, patient and unpressured approach
• Support communication using gestures, Makaton, visual supports and picture/symbol communication tools
• Recognise signs of anxiety, distress or frustration and use appropriate de-escalation and redirection techniques
• Use preferred activities, particularly music and sensory activities, to encourage engagement and emotional regulation
• Support community access and activities while maintaining appropriate safety awareness
• Provide support with personal care, including dressing, bathing and toileting
• Encourage independence with everyday routines at the young person's own pace
• Follow the family's kosher dietary requirements and household practices
• Work closely with parents and follow agreed care plans, risk assessments and family guidance
• Maintain professional boundaries, confidentiality and safeguarding standards
• Record and report any concerns, incidents or changes appropriately

  Essential Requirements

• Previous experience supporting children or young people with autism and/or learning disabilities
• Experience supporting individuals with behaviours that may challenge
• Previous experience working with individuals or families within the Jewish community
• Good understanding of Jewish customs and the ability to respect Orthodox Jewish household practices
• Understanding of kosher dietary requirements, or willingness to follow clear family guidance
• Ability to provide relevant professional references relating to previous care/support experience
• Calm, patient and emotionally aware approach
• Ability to work in a relationship-led and person-centred way
• Confidence supporting a young person who communicates primarily through non-verbal communication, gestures and visual supports
• Ability to recognise distress and use calm redirection and de-escalation strategies
• Comfortable providing personal care
• Reliable, consistent and able to build trust gradually
• Good safeguarding awareness and professional boundaries
• Ability to work independently while following care plans and risk assessments

Desirable

• Experience using Makaton or other visual communication systems
• Experience supporting young people with limited danger awareness
• Experience supporting community activities and developing independence
• Knowledge of sensory needs and sensory-based activities