Focus on Oxfordshire
The greatest joy is being able to go out in the community with people we support and help them live their lives
Adrian - Team Leader
Who will I support in Oxfordshire?
We support adults who live in their own homes. Some individuals have profound and multiple disabilities, and also complex needs. Some individuals have less complex needs and need support to live independently.
We support people in their mid-twenties right through to individuals in their eighties.
During the recruitment process we’ll find out more about you and identify the people you'd be most suited to support. The people we support are involved in recruiting their own support workers, so you'll meet each other and from there, if you're successful, we'll offer you a role.
The people we support’s interests, like everyone’s, vary, and so what you’ll support them to do in everyday life will vary too.
The staff team have a real passion for the people they support and the staff really pull together.
Alana - Team Leader
Why do staff enjoy the roles in Oxfordshire?
Our staff tell us they find it rewarding getting to know the people they support and helping them to live their lives and do things they wouldn't otherwise be able to do. Some also say it's about taking the time to understand how people communicate, and seeing people respond to you.
Some say it can be the 'big' things, like supporting someone to maintain contact with their family. For others, its the 'little moments, or when they have supported someone whose behaviour can be considered challenging – and have helped them though a difficult time.
What can you offer me?
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Plenty of variety -
Supportive Teams -
Full Training -
Not for profit charity -
Freedom to make the right choices -
Shift planned in advance -
Professional relationships
What's a typical day for a support worker?
You'll support individuals in all aspects of daily life; from cooking and cleaning the home, to doing things in the community too - you’ll help people to do things they wouldn’t otherwise be able to do.
There is no 'typical' day - each day is different. However, you might start a shift by helping someone to get up and ready for the day, including providing full support with their personal care. You then might support them to go to the cinema, or the theatre, to visit family and friends, or out for dinner. Sometimes you might organise a 'beauty day'... it really depends on what they want to do.
There can be quite a lot of manual work too depending on who your supporting, as some people are wheelchair users.
Some shifts are 'sleep-ins' where you'll support people at the end of the day and in the evening, and then sleep in their home to be available should anyone need support through the night. Some shifts are 'waking nights' where you'll work through the night, supporting people as and when needed and doing other tasks.
There will be challenging times, and often things don't go to plan. You'll need resilience to deal with these occasions, but you'll be trained, and you'll have supportive teams around you.
Could I be a support worker at Brandon?
People join us with a wide variety of different experiences; we employ people from all kinds of backgrounds. They bring life experience and skills to a role where they're valued.
You'll need good communication skills and a positive, patient approach. Respectful of people's differences, you can build professional relationships and have a flexible attitude. You'll share our values, ask questions, make decisions, and get stuck in to do whatever needs to be done. You'll need resilience and will always start with the needs of the individual you support.
You will need to be able to work 24/7 shifts including weekends, evenings, and nights. We're happy to discuss the shifts to see if there is flexibility to fit with your needs.
