Meet Emma and Simon 

Meet Emma, our supported living carer and team leader, and Simon, her client. Find out how she's been supporting Simon for 19 years, why it's so rewarding, how her role is an extension of Simon's family, and why Emma describes her job as "...the best thing I've ever done!"

If you want to describe a job in this way, why not apply for the job vacancies below?

Extra Care Housing is ‘housing with care’ where people are supported to live in their own flat with onsite care and support as required.

Working as an extra care housing or a supported living carer, you will be going into people's homes or flats to support them living independently. You'll be part of team providing 24-hour care and support to people with learning disabilities, physical disabilities or frail older people and people living with long term conditions. You will support people with the day to day activities to maintain and promote their independence and support them to live in their own homes for as long as possible.

What does the role involve?

The day to day aspects of this job might include 

• support with all aspects of an individual’s personal care such as washing and dressing, continence care and catheter care as required
• ensure they maintain good nutrition   
• arranging and attending appointments with the clients
• help with cooking, laundry, cleaning, shopping and other relevant tasks
• support the clients with their medication
• working closely with health professionals and social workers to ensure residents are well looked after, protected from abuse, and always treated with dignity and respect

The role may involve other specific tasks such as undertaking welfare checks, supporting with activities or undertaking relevant key working tasks.

What skills and qualifications do I need?

To undertake this role, you need to be compassionate, kind and patient, flexible and willing to help and support clients. You also need to be well organised and proactive. Good communication skills are essential for this role as you will need to communicate any changes in your clients wellbeing with health professionals and/or family members and you will be required to make daily recordings.

This is an entry-level role and you will be required to undertake and keep up to date with mandatory training and the Care Certificate. DBS checks will be carried out, as well as proving you're legally able to work in UK.

You may also need a good GCSE grade in English and Maths and possibly a social care qualification such as Level 2 or 3 Diploma in Health and Social Care, although these aren't always needed and if you're interested in getting them, you can often work towards them once you start the job.

Is there training and progression?

You'll be trained in all essential skills including basic health and safety, first aid, and moving and handling when you first start your role. You can also benefit from formal qualifications such as a Diploma in Health and Social Care as well as opportunities to progress and develop in adult social care and specialise in a certain area or take on more responsibility.

If this work interests you, apply for a job now!

If this sounds like somewhere you'd like to work and you think you'd be a good fit in a role as an extra care housing or supported living carer, follow the links below to find a range of jobs to suit you.