Support Worker
United Response
£12.00 per hour
Launceston, PL15 8JY
Full time, part time
The Breakroom Take
- People enjoy this job
- Proper training
About United Response
United Response is a charity. They support people with learning disabilities, autism and mental health needs.
Job description from United Response
Role: Support Worker
Salary: £12.00 per hour + £62 per sleep-in shift
Location: Launceston
Hours: Full time and Part-time hours available
Make a Real Difference with United Response!
Who We Are
United Response is a national charity dedicated to empowering people to live independently and with dignity in their communities. Founded in 1973, we now support over 2,000 individuals across England and Wales, with 3,500 team members driven by our core values—CREATIVE, STRONG, HONEST, RESPONSIVE, and UNITED.
About the Role
As a Support Worker, you will play a crucial role in supporting a dynamic individual who enjoys outings, coffee trips, shopping, and seasonal events. He takes great pride in his appearance, enjoys cooking, and keeps his home on a spacious farm in excellent order. This is a unique role in a beautiful environment.
He also experiences some challenging behaviours, requiring someone who is patient, resilient, and able to provide gentle but steady support. Your strength and patience will be essential in helping him manage his day and maintain his independence.
Day-to-Day Responsibilities
- Assisting with cooking, cleaning, and other household tasks
- Encouraging and accompanying him on outings, shopping, and community events
- Supporting him in managing his behaviour with calm and consistent guidance
- Assisting with personal care and providing sleep-in support as needed
The only essential qualification is a valid UK driving license; the rest is about your character—compassion, respect.
What We’re Looking For
- A compassionate, patient, and resilient individual who can handle challenging behaviours with a calm approach
- A genuine desire to help others live independently
- Strong team skills and an understanding of the importance of dignity and respect in care
Benefits
- Competitive Pay: £12.00 per hour + £62 per sleep-in shift
- Comprehensive Benefits: Pension, Cycle to Work scheme, fully paid training, and travel loan
- Increased annual leave after 3 and 5 years’ service
- Fully paid training and access to nationally recognised qualifications
- Access to an online shopping platform with discounts from over 3,500 retailers
Additional Information
Flexibility is essential as this role includes evening, weekend, and bank holiday shifts. A full DBS check is required and will be funded by United Response.
Ready to Make a Real Impact?
If you have the patience, strength, and commitment to support someone in a truly meaningful way, apply now to join United Response.
United Response is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and Disability Confident Leader. We guarantee interviews for disabled applicants meeting the minimum criteria. Need help applying? Contact us at tamsin.kirby@unitedresponse.org.uk.
#STH
Job insights from Breakroom
Support workers
Support workers help vulnerable people to live independently
What you’ll do as a support worker:
- Check the needs and progress of the individuals you are supporting
- Help with daily tasks like budgeting, shopping and claiming benefits
- Provide physical care and support including, bathing, dressing, cooking and feeding
- Check and monitor health and help with medication
Is it right for you?
This job may involve:
- Standing
- Heavy lifting
- Helping with personal care
- Physical activity
- Emotionally demanding duties
- Wearing a uniform
- Night work
- Long hours
- Anti-social hours
- Cleaning
- Working alone
What employees say
Pay
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Okay
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Only some people are paid a living wage
Do United Response pay support workers enough to live on?
Some people are not paid a living wage.
How we know this
39% of people say they are paid below the Real Living Wage for where they live.Based on data from 33 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between October 2022 and October 2024.
Why this matters
Everyone should be paid enough to live on.
The Real Living Wage is a voluntary rate employers can sign up to that is based on the real cost of living.
The current rates are £12.60 per hour, and £13.85 per hour in London.
Find out more in our explainer about the Real Living Wage.
Okay
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Only some people are paid market rates
Do United Response pay support workers market rates?
Only some people are paid above average for their job.
How we know this
52% of people are paid below average for the type of work they do.Based on data from 33 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between October 2022 and October 2024.
Why this matters
Pay can vary a lot between types of job. Employers should be ensuring that the rates their staff are paid are in line with similar roles elsewhere.
Okay
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Only some people get paid breaks
Do support workers at United Response get paid breaks?
Sometimes. Only some people get paid breaks.
How we know this
54% of people say they don’t get paid breaks.Based on data from 28 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between October 2022 and October 2024.
Why this matters
A good job should have paid breaks.
You should be paid for all your time at work, whether you’re on a break or not.
Okay
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Only some people get sick pay
Do United Response pay support workers sick pay?
Sometimes. Only some people get proper sick pay.
How we know this
36% of people say they wouldn’t get paid if they were sick but scheduled to work.Based on data from 28 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between October 2022 and October 2024.
Why this matters
Everyone gets sick sometimes. You should be able to take time off without worrying.
At a good job you should still get paid if you’re scheduled to work but can’t due to sickness. Your contract should say how many sick days you can take each year.
This is more than the legal minimum, which says you should only get paid if you are unwell for 4 full days. See Citizens Advice for more details.
Okay
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Some people do unpaid extra work
Do support workers at United Response do extra work that they don't get paid for?
Sometimes. Some people do unpaid extra work.
How we know this
45% of people report that they do extra work that they don’t get paid for.Based on data from 29 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between October 2022 and October 2024.
Why this matters
Everyone should get paid for any extra work they do, even if it is outside your contracted hours. At a good job, you should be paid for all the time you spend at work.
Hours and flexibility
-
Okay
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Less than 4 weeks notice of shifts
How much notice do support workers get of their shift pattern at United Response?
Only some people get 4 weeks notice of when they’re working.
How we know this
- 19% of people with changing schedules report getting one week notice or less.
- 15% of people with changing schedules report getting two weeks notice.
- 26% of people with changing schedules report getting three weeks notice.
- 41% of people with changing schedules report getting four weeks notice or more.
Based on data from 27 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between October 2022 and October 2024.
Why this matters
At a good job, you get plenty of notice about when you’re working.
This makes it easy for you to plan the rest of life, as well as your finances, because you know how much you’ll be working and when.
Good
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Most people don’t worry about their hours
Do support workers at United Response worry about hours?
Most people don’t worry about getting enough hours.
How we know this
68% of people report they don’t worry about getting enough hours.Based on data from 31 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between October 2022 and October 2024.
Why this matters
At a good job, you shouldn’t have to worry about getting enough hours each week.
A good job should guarantee you a minimum number of hours in a contract, if you want it.
This makes it easier to plan your finances, because you know how much you’ll be earning.
Good
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Most people get a choice of shifts
Do support workers at United Response get to choose the shifts they work?
Most people get enough choice over which shifts they work.
How we know this
68% report that their manager gives them enough choice over which shifts they work.Based on data from 28 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between October 2022 and October 2024.
Why this matters
A good job is flexible around your personal life. This means you get a say in when you prefer to work.
Okay
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Can be hard to change shifts
How easy is it for support workers at United Response to change shifts?
Some people find it hard to change shifts.
How we know this
52% of people report that it’s hard to change shifts if they need to.Based on data from 23 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between October 2022 and October 2024.
Why this matters
A good job is flexible around your personal life. It should be easy to change a shift if you need to, whether that’s in an emergency or for planning ahead.
Good
-
Easy to book holiday
How easy is it for support workers to book a holiday at United Response?
Most people find it easy to book holiday.
How we know this
77% of people report it’s easy to book holidays.Based on data from 31 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between October 2022 and October 2024.
Why this matters
A good job should let you take time off when you need it, and it shouldn’t be a nightmare to arrange.
Okay
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Shifts can get changed at short notice
Do United Response managers change support workers shifts at short notice?
Some managers change people’s shifts at short notice.
How we know this
40% of people say their manager changes their shifts at the last minute.Based on data from 30 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between October 2022 and October 2024.
Why this matters
If your manager is often changing your shifts at short notice that’s a sign of poor planning. At a good job you won’t be messed around at the last minute.
Okay
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Some people find it hard to take sick leave
How easy is it for support workers to take sick leave at United Response?
Some people find it hard to take sick leave.
How we know this
34% of people report that it’s hard to take time off if they are sick.Based on data from 32 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between October 2022 and October 2024.
Why this matters
Everyone gets sick sometimes. You should be able to take time off when you need to.
A good job should support you when you’re unwell and have systems in place that will allow you to take time off to recover when you need it.
Okay
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Only some parents say it’s good
Is working as support workers at United Response good if you have caring responsibilities?
Only some parents and carer say this is a good place to work.
How we know this
64% of people who care for a child or other relative report this isn’t a good place to work.Based on data from 11 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between November 2022 and October 2024.
Why this matters
Whether it’s looking after children or caring for a relative, a good job should support your responsibilities outside of work.
Workplace
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Okay
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Only some people feel treated with respect
Do support workers at United Response feel treated with respect by their managers?
Some people don’t feel treated with respect by their managers.
How we know this
37% of people say they’re not treated with respect by their managers.Based on data from 30 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between October 2022 and October 2024.
Why this matters
Everyone should get treated with respect by their managers. You shouldn’t feel discriminated against or bullied, and if you have a problem you should be able to speak to someone about it.
Needs improving
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Most people don’t get proper breaks
Do support workers at United Response get proper breaks?
Most people don’t get proper breaks.
How we know this
87% of people report that they don’t get to take proper breaks.Based on data from 31 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between October 2022 and October 2024.
Why this matters
When you take a break it should be a proper rest. It should last the full duration and you shouldn’t get pulled off it.
Needs improving
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Most people are stressed
Is it stressful for support workers to work at United Response?
Most people feel stressed here.
How we know this
77% of people say they often feel stressed at work.Based on data from 35 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between October 2022 and October 2024.
Why this matters
Work isn’t always easy, but if you’re frequently feel stressed, that’s not good.
Your employer should support you with enough people and resources to get your job done without feeling overwhelmed.
Good
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Most people enjoy their job
Do support workers at United Response enjoy their jobs?
Most people enjoy their job.
How we know this
80% of people report they enjoy their job.Based on data from 25 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between October 2022 and October 2024.
Okay
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Only some people recommend their team
Do support workers at United Response recommend working with their team?
Only some people recommend working with their team.
How we know this
60% of people report that they wouldn’t recommend working with their immediate team to a friend.Based on data from 35 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between October 2022 and October 2024.
Why this matters
A good job means enjoying the place where you work.
The people you work with every day really matter. They can be the difference between a terrible day and a great one.
If you’d recommend your team to a friend, this shows that something’s going right.
Good
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Most people get enough training
Do support workers get enough training when they start at United Response?
Most people got enough training when they started.
How we know this
77% of people report they got enough training when they started working here.Based on data from 35 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between October 2022 and October 2024.
Why this matters
A good job should give you good training when you start, not just drop you in at the deep end.
This means that you’ll be happier and more productive from day one and shows that your employer values you.
It’s also very important if your job involves anything that could be dangerous. Good training from the outset keeps you and your team safe.
Needs improving
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Most people don’t get support to progress
Are support workers given support to progress at United Response?
Most people aren’t given support to progress here.
How we know this
In the last year, 75% of people report not being given an opportunity to get better at their job, learn a new skill, learn to manage a team or get more responsibility in their role.Based on data from 28 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between October 2022 and October 2024.
Why this matters
A good job should help you progress at work, if you want to. That might be supporting you to get better at the job you currently have, learn something new, manage a team or take on more responsibilities.
This means you’ll be able to build on your skills and experience, and earn more money.
Needs improving
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Head office doesn’t understand what’s happening
Do support workers think United Response head office understands what's happening where they work?
Most people think head office doesn’t understand what’s happening where they work.
How we know this
97% of people think that this employer’s head office or owners don’t have a good understanding of what’s really happening where they work.Based on data from 32 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between October 2022 and October 2024.
Why this matters
At a good job, the role of head office should be to support the people on the frontline serving customers.
To do that properly, the company’s owners or head office need to have a good understanding of what’s really happening on the frontline. This is especially important when a company owns multiple locations.
Needs improving
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Most people don’t feel well informed by head office
Do support workers feel well informed about how United Response is doing?
Most people don’t feel well informed about how the company is doing.
How we know this
83% of people feel that they aren’t kept well informed about how the company is doing as a whole.Based on data from 30 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between October 2022 and October 2024.
Why this matters
At a good job, there should be a supportive relationship between the people working on the frontline serving customers and the people who own the company or work in head office.
You should be kept informed about how the company is doing as a whole, both in good times and when things get tough for the business.
What United Response employees say about their job
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Best thing
The people I support
Worst thing
Staff and management
United Response Employee, October 2024
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Best thing
Get paid on time at end of the minth
Worst thing
Unsociable hours
United Response Support worker, December 2022
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