Job summary
- Main area
- Learning Disability
- Grade
- NHS AfC: Band 3
- Contract
- 12 months (Fixed term contract of 12 months period)
- Hours
- Full time - 37.5 hours per week (Shifts patterns as per rota covering weekdays, weekends, sleep-in's, evenings, waking nights and Bank Holidays)
- Job ref
- 349-LCOD-8205592-RL4
- Employer
- Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- 144 Short Break Service
- Town
- Wythenshawe, Manchester
- Salary
- £25,760 - £27,476 Per Annum (Pro Rata)
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 31/08/2026 23:59
Employer heading
Senior Support Worker
NHS AfC: Band 3
Job overview
Our Short Break Service is a Learning Disability Nurse led service for adults with learning disabilities and complex needs. We are looking to recruit three Band 3 Senior Support Workers to join us. This role will be full time, 37.5 hours per week (unsocial hours apply) and based in the Short Break Service (Northenden, Wythenshawe), Provider Services. Our service is part of the wider Community Learning Disability Service (CALDS) and Manchester Local Care Organisation (MLCO). This post will be accountable to the Registered Nurse Service Manager.
The CALDS Provider team has an excellent reputation for delivering person centered care to individuals who require high levels of support due to their complex needs. The post holder will work as part of a Specialist Nurse led team, working across the city of Manchester.
Main duties of the job
Main Responsibilities: To work flexibly to support learning disabled people who may present with severe challenging behaviours and communication needs. To work within the framework of Positive Behavioural Support (PBS) and be involved in the assessing planning and implementing support plans in a holistic manner, under supervision from the specialist nurses and in liaison with families and other professionals. To support across a variety of settings including community settings, and in some circumstances, the persons own home. To undertake a monthly rota pattern which will include 24/7 cover.
Working for our organisation
Join Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT), the largest provider of specialist services, and our Oxford Road Campus in Manchester, the largest health academic campus in Europe – a great place to shape your career.
With a workforce of over 30,000 colleagues, we work together to deliver exceptional care to more than 1 million people every year.
Behind every patient cared for are people like you - keeping services running smoothly, supporting clinical teams, and helping create safe, welcoming environments for patients and our people alike.
At MFT, we believe in the power of teamwork, respect, and inclusion. Our People Plan reflects our commitment to making MFT a place where everyone feels they belong, where your ideas are heard, and your contribution is truly valued. Join us and work smarter with our digital technology and thrive in a collaborative culture that empowers you to deliver your best to ensure that your work behind the scenes creates seamless, high-quality care and exceptional patient outcomes.
Whether you're just starting out or looking to grow, we offer clear pathways for development and a culture that supports your wellbeing, ambition, and success. Everything you do makes a real difference to the lives of others.
At MFT, your role matters, your impact is real, and you’re part of something bigger from day one.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
IMPORTANT CANDIDATE INFORMATION
To find out more about the key responsibilities and the specific skills and experience you’ll need for this role, take a look at the Job Description & Person Specification attachments under the ‘Documents to download’ heading.
Explore ‘Inside MFT – Your Candidate Place’
To help you feel confident, prepared and fully informed before you apply, we invite you to explore Inside MFT – Your Candidate Place. This welcoming one‑stop hub gives you a real sense of who we are, what we stand for, how we reward and support you, and the many ways we care for you as you care for others. You’ll also find practical hints and tips for submitting a great application, along with the essential information you need to know before you apply.
To access ‘Inside MFT – Your Candidate Place’, simply click on the relevant PDF document under the ‘Documents to download’ heading and once opened, you can either scan QR code or click on the link provided.
Closing vacancy listings early
We welcome applications from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences.
To help us manage applications fairly and give each one the time it deserves, our adverts may close early if we receive a high level of interest. Early applications are therefore encouraged.
Diversity Matters
MFT is committed to promoting equality of opportunity, celebrating and valuing diversity and eliminating any form of unlawful discrimination across our workforce, ensuring our people are truly representative of the communities we serve. All individuals regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation are encouraged to apply for this post. As an inclusive employer, we are here to support you. If you have any special requirements to help you with your application, please contact the manager named below.
Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in your application
Here at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, we’re proud to be ALL HERE FOR YOU, for our patients, our communities, and each other.
As part of our commitment to fairness, transparency, and personal integrity, we ask all applicants to ensure that their job applications reflect their own experiences, skills, and motivations. While AI tools can support spelling, grammar, or formatting, we expect that the content of your application, especially personal statements and responses to role specific questions is written by you. This helps us get to know the real you and ensures that our recruitment process remains equitable and meaningful for everyone.
Thank you for helping us uphold the values that make our Trust a place where people belong, grow, and thrive. We look forward to receiving your application.
Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check
As part of our commitment to safeguarding patients and staff, many roles at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT) require a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. This is a standard process across the NHS and helps us ensure a safe environment for everyone.
What is a DBS Check?
A DBS check is a background check that reveals any criminal convictions, cautions, reprimands, or warnings. The level of check required depends on the role:
Standard DBS: Checks for spent and unspent convictions, cautions, reprimands, and final warnings.
Enhanced DBS: Includes the above, plus any additional information held by local police that’s considered relevant to the role.
Enhanced with Barred Lists: Includes all of the above, plus checks against the children’s and/or adults’ barred lists.
Who Needs a DBS Check
Most roles involving direct patient contact, working with children or vulnerable adults, or access to sensitive information will require a DBS check. The job advert and recruitment team will let you know if this applies to your role.
The Costs for a DBS
At Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT), roles that require a DBS check are subject to a cost recovery policy. This means that the cost of submitting and processing a DBS application if you are successful and join us, will be deducted from your salary within the first three months of employment. If, however, you withdraw from a conditional offer after the DBS process has begun, you will still be liable for the cost incurred.
For more information about the cost of the various types of DBS, please visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/dbs-fees-are-changing-in-december
DBS Update Service
Candidates are also expected to register with the DBS Update Service which must be completed within 30 days of the certificate being issued. This helps streamline future employment checks and supports safer recruitment practices. For more information, please visit the DBS Update Service.
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
- NVQ 3 in Care or Care Certificate or equivalent level of experience in health and social care
Desirable criteria
- Recognised health and social care qualification at diploma level or above.
Experience
Essential criteria
- Experience of supporting people who have learning disabilities.
Desirable criteria
- Previous experience in a behaviour specialist setting
- Experience in supporting people with autism
- Experience of supporting people using Positive Behavioural Support Plans and in developing these.
Knowledge
Essential criteria
- Understand the needs of people with learning disabilities.
- Understanding behaviour that can challenge services.
- Ability to make written observation and keep accurate records.
- Ability to work effectively with other service providers and families.
- Skills for direct work with people using the service, for example understanding communication impairment.
- Able to work without direct managerial supervision at times.
- Good organisation/ time management skills
- Car driver Manual UK Driving Licence, to drive car / up to 9 seater minibus
Desirable criteria
- Understanding of the Mental Capacity Act/ Deprivation of Liberty safeguards.
- Knowledge and understanding of Positive behavioural Support/ health Action Plans/ Person Centered Plans.
- Experience of supporting people using communication aids and techniques such as TEACCH.
Applicant requirements
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Samantha Wong
- Job title
- Registered Nurse Manager
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Telephone number
- 0161 529 6741
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