Our Support Workers

Choosing the right person to provide support is incredibly important. At Original Support, our support workers are selected not only for their experience and training, but for their ability to build positive, respectful relationships with the people they support.

We understand that everyone is different. Our aim is to match individuals with support workers who understand their interests, preferences and goals, helping them feel comfortable and confident while maintaining their independence and making their own choices.

Whether someone is enjoying a day out, attending an activity or appointment, developing social connections or simply spending time doing something they enjoy, our support workers provide friendly, reliable assistance throughout.

Trained & Experienced Support Workers

Our support workers all have the Care Certificate which is constantly updated.

The Care Certificate covers a broad range of knowledge and training standards.

It covers:

Understand Your Role:

Know your responsibilities, workplace policies, and values to deliver effective care.

Personal Development:

Create and follow a personal development plan with support for learning and growth.

Duty of Care:

Act in the best interests of those you support, assessing and managing risks appropriately.

Equality and Diversity:

Treat everyone fairly and with respect, embracing individual differences.

Person-Centred Care:

Support individuals based on their unique needs, preferences, and values, like dignity and independence.

Communication:

Use clear and effective verbal and non-verbal communication with all relevant parties.

Privacy and Dignity:

Promote and protect the dignity and privacy of individuals at all times.

Fluids and Nutrition:

Support individuals in accessing proper nutrition and hydration, based on their care plan.

Mental Health, Dementia & Learning Disabilities:

Understand and support individuals with mental health conditions, dementia, or learning disabilities compassionately.

Safeguarding Adults:

Recognise and report signs of abuse or neglect in adults, following safeguarding procedures.

Safeguarding Children:

Understand how to protect children from harm and take appropriate action if abuse is suspected.

Basic Life Support:

Be trained in and capable of delivering life-saving first aid in emergencies.

Health and Safety:

Follow health and safety procedures to manage risks and respond to accidents or illnesses.

Handling Information:

Handle and store personal and legal information securely and appropriately.

Infection Prevention and Control:

Maintain high hygiene standards and understand how to prevent and control infections.

Awareness of Learning Disability and Autism:

Equips you with the knowledge and skills to understand, communicate, and provide inclusive, person-centred support to these individuals, respecting their rights, needs, and individuality.

Safeguarding, Dignity & Respect

The safety, dignity and wellbeing of the people we support are fundamental to the way we work. Our support workers receive appropriate training to help them recognise concerns, communicate effectively and provide respectful support while protecting each individual’s privacy, choices and rights.

Enhanced DBS Checked

All Original Support support workers undergo an Enhanced DBS check with an Adults’ Barred List check as part of our safer recruitment process.

An Enhanced DBS check provides detailed criminal record information and may include relevant information held by local police. The additional Adults’ Barred List check establishes whether an individual is barred from carrying out relevant regulated activities with adults.

These checks provide important additional reassurance for the people we support and their families. They form part of our wider approach to safer recruitment, alongside considering each support worker’s experience, suitability, attitude and ability to provide respectful and dependable support.

We believe trust is fundamental to a positive support relationship. That’s why we take recruitment seriously and work to ensure the people we support and their families can feel confident in the support workers spending time with them.

Supporting Choice & Independence

Good support isn’t about taking over. Our support workers encourage individuals to make their own choices, build confidence and take an active role in the things they enjoy.

This could mean trying a new activity, meeting other people, attending an appointment, going shopping or simply enjoying a favourite place. The level of assistance provided is shaped around the individual, with support available when it’s needed while encouraging independence wherever possible.

We believe the best support starts with listening. By understanding what matters to each person, our support workers can provide assistance that feels natural, respectful and centred around the life they want to lead.

Finding the Right Support Worker

Having the right support worker can make a significant difference to someone’s experience. Personality, shared interests and feeling comfortable together can be just as important as training and experience.

We take time to understand the individual and the type of support they’re looking for, helping to create positive working relationships built around trust, respect and shared interests.