We're looking for enthusiastic, caring and friendly individuals to join our care teams either working directly with the council or with our trusted ethical provider partners who are commissioned by us to provide care services to ensure residents are safe, cared for and live their happiest life possible.
You may have left college and are looking to start a career with great potential. Maybe you’re still at college and looking for part time hours in something that’ll look good on your CV. You may have had years looking after your family and now fancy something new and fulfilling. You could just fancy a new role and a change of career. If any of these sound like you then read on.
What roles are available?
We’re committed to the people we support and to the community around us. We have roles in lots of teams working across the borough in supported living, care homes, home care, day centres and respite, helping people to live happy lives.
You’ll either work with our own council teams or with our trusted ethical partners. You don’t necessarily need any qualifications or previous work experience in this area – in fact we have great success stories from people who used to work in leisure, hospitality and other types of work and have moved into care.
What’s really important are your values, your positive attitude and wanting to work with people who need care and support. We want you to bring your humour, your smile and your own experiences and interests to motivate and engage the people you are supporting.
We have full and part time roles available across a range a shift patterns, so you can fit the role around your other commitments. Additional hours are frequently on offer for when you have more time available.
What’s also great is that because we have roles available right across the borough, there’s bound to be one very local to you, making getting to work easy.
Here’s a little more information on the roles and types of place you could be working. When you come for interview we can talk about these in more detail.
You probably see people working in homecare as you go about your day as half of our support teams choose to walk or cycle between peoples’ homes; great when we can guarantee there’ll be somewhere local to you. The work is very varied and you’ll get to know the people you’re supporting each day with mealtimes, medication, morning showers or getting out and about.
We support adults with learning disabilities in various models/types of accommodation in the Wigan and Leigh area.
As a support worker, you will be part of a team supporting customers within their own homes and you will be offering them support with everyday life skills and activities. Our customers have varying levels of support needs, and you will be required to deliver a high standard of care and provide support in accordance with individual support plans. You will encourage customers to realise their goals and aspirations and you will also assist in developing strong links within the community.
The post will require you to work weekends, bank holidays and unsociable hours.
We, the Council have two respite properties where people come to stay overnight, for the weekend or sometimes for the week to help their families by giving them some free time.
We’re really focused on making sure individuals have the best support and enjoy their stay.
Again, you’d work on a rota, including early morning starts from as early as 6.30am, lates, weekends, maybe sleeps.
The Council run four day services, two each on the Wigan and Leigh sides of the borough. People come into the centres to spend the day with their friends and to pursue activities they enjoy. Hours are weekdays 9am – 5pm.
Within residential care there is a mix of council but mainly privately-owned homes and we work hand in hand with the care providers to ensure the very best for people.
There are also mental health properties offering support to people with medication and getting about in the community to help them live the best life.
Again, there’s a mix of rotas depending on where you’re working.
Personal Assistants are directly employed by the people being supported. The hours are varied, you may be offered 5 hours a week or 5 hours a day, it all depends on what the individual is looking for. In many cases you’re supporting people to get out and about doing the things they enjoy, finding their independence. Lots of people tend to have 2 or 3 PA roles and many are students looking for a good quality part time job; particularly brilliant if you are studying in health and care and looking to gain experience. We work with Embrace and if you’re interested in being a PA will forward your expression of interest to them.
As you can see the roles are rich and varied and give you the opportunity to really get to know the people you’re helping. You’ll be making such a positive difference supporting them to be as independent and happy as possible. Whether you’re working for Wigan Council or one of our providers you will get a full induction and training.
Our roles are aimed at promoting independence and helping to restore/maintain the service user’s ability to remain within their own homes. The service provides and assessment which can be provided for up to six weeks and is available 365 days a year. The Reablement Team is developing and improving at in incredible pace and we need positive and upbeat people along for the journey! Join a dynamic forward thinking team focussed on staff development and progression with fantastic career options.
As a waking night support worker, you will be part of a team supporting customers within their own homes, offering support in accordance with individual support plans. You will be on call during the night remaining alert and awake to ensure our customers are safe and secure. You will update individual support plans and other relevant documentation when required. Working with individuals in a person centred way that respects their individuality and promotes choice and control.
Administer prescribed medication in line with policies and procedures to always ensure safe administration of medicines. Safeguard customers from abuse and maintain support in accordance with Wigan Council’s Safeguard Policy.
Using a solution focussed approach you will work with customers with various needs, and you’ll respond to incidents and emergencies when required whilst ensuring their wellbeing.
To meet the needs of this vital service you will be required to work on a rota basis including weekends, bank holidays and unsociable hours.
Other Job Roles - Already got experience?
We’re also looking for positive, can-do people, who are already confident in their skills and ability to support individuals with Autism, complex needs and challenging behaviour. Using an asset-based approach focused on what is best for individuals to live their best life, this is a great opportunity to bring your valuable existing experience and develop more specialist skills whilst in the role.
What will you be doing?
Tasks may include:
- Supporting people with their daily living skills, whilst encouraging them to be independent and help themselves e.g. meal preparation and taking part in activities
- Providing reassurance, good company and conversation, supporting people to reach their dreams and aspirations and live their best life
- Helping people to get out and about and access what’s available in the community
- Supporting people with their medication
- Providing discrete support with personal care.
You may have to work weekends, bank holidays or unsociable hours and we can chat to you about this to see what works.
What are we looking for in you?
Don’t worry, you don’t need any particular skills. We want to talk to you if you have:
- A warm, caring and calm nature. Positive people with an open mind and an open heart
- Good moral values you can share with others
- A willingness to go on people’s journeys with them - be it their life journey or a trip to the corner shop
- A friendly sense of humour (a must) and enjoy talking to people
- Enthusiasm and motivation
- A desire to help our local people who need that extra support. You can see the person beyond their disability and see the 'can do' rather than the 'can’t do'
- An ability to work both on your own and as part of a team.
What’s in it for you?
- You’ll be doing a meaningful job in a caring and friendly environment. It’s so much more than a job though, you’ll be joining a family.
- A great career choice with training and the opportunity to build skills and gain qualifications. Check out some of the stories from our staff who are not only loving the choice they made but are continually progressing in their career
- Flexible hours - let us know the hours that suit you and we’ll see what we can do
- Whether you’re working for Wigan Council or one of our providers you will get a full induction and training.
Register your interest
If you feel there is something here for you and want to be considered, please register your interest and we'll be in touch quickly. Complicated application forms aren’t our thing (we can sort all that afterwards). We just want to hear from you.
Alternatively, if this role isn’t for you log in to Greater.Jobs (external link) to keep up to date with all Council vacancies and sign up to receive email job alerts (external link).
Hear from our care team
Testimonials
Kim's story
"I’m Team Leader at a wonderful property within our Supported Living services. I manage a large team to ensure customers living here have a full and happy life of their own choice. It’s true you can have a great career in adult social care. I started working for Wigan Council 18 years ago as a support worker in a residential setting, which was home to people with varied learning disabilities and complex health needs. I was involved in a move to a much bigger property that went really well. After this I decided to take a career step and was promoted to Team Leader. I was thrilled to be appointed to the post and have never looked back! Having started by managing two small properties I now manage Tanfield, a large residential property in Hindley. I have a fantastic, positive and highly motivated team and happy customers. It’s completely amazing. Come and join us, I’m sure you’ll love it too."
Lee's story
"The best thing about this job is working with people and being able to make a positive difference to their lives. I started as an Apprentice Support Worker at the Council when I was 18 years old. This gave me the best possible start working at various bases with customers with varying support needs, gaining lots of experience whilst also developing knowledge through completing an NVQ level 2, enabling me to secure a permanent position. I gathered more experience working in different areas and taking on new challenges. I was successful in gaining a position as a Market Development Officer and the extra experience led to me becoming a Registered Manager. For me, to work in social care, you need to genuinely care about people and be passionate about supporting people on a journey to live their best life. If that’s you, come and join us."