Support Worker – Fixed Term – Full Time – Knapwell
ID: 323680Job Specialism: CollegeLocation: KnapwellSalary: 13.10Closing Date: Tuesday, 17th November 2026
Could you be our next Support Worker at Sense College Knapwell?
From creative arts and community adventures to helping someone communicate in a whole new way, every day at Sense College Knapwell is an opportunity to make a difference.
We’re looking for an enthusiastic and compassionate Support Worker to join our team at Sense College Knapwell, supporting young adults with complex disabilities to discover new interests, develop life skills and achieve their personal goals.
Whether it’s exploring a museum through touch, enjoying a theatre performance, developing new communication skills or celebrating a learner’s latest achievement, you’ll play an important part in creating meaningful experiences and helping every individual thrive.
Here’s what you need to know about the role:
Location: Sense College Knapwell, Cambridgeshire, CB23 4GG
Salary: 13.10 per hour
Contract: Fixed-term maternity cover until 22 December 2027
Hours: 35 hours per week, contracted for 52 weeks of the year
Working pattern: Monday to Friday, 9:15am4:15pm
No evenings, weekends or bank holiday working
Potential opportunities for overtime
What makes working at Knapwell special?
At Sense College Knapwell, learning goes far beyond the classroom.
Our learners are young adults with complex communication needs, learning difficulties and physical disabilities. We provide individualised support that helps them develop confidence, independence and the skills they need for everyday life.
Our varied programme brings together communication, creative arts, therapies, physical activities, life skills and community experiences. We also offer a wonderful range of enrichment opportunities, including cinema visits, pantomimes, specialist theatre performances, museum touch tours and trips on an accessible barge.
As a Support Worker, you’ll be right at the heart of these experiences, encouraging learners to try new things, celebrate their achievements and discover what’s possible.
Communication is a particularly important part of life at Knapwell. We use a total communication approach, incorporating methods such as British Sign Language (BSL), Sign Supported English, Intensive Interaction, symbols, objects of reference and communication aids.
You don’t need to be an expert in these methods when you join us. What’s important is your willingness to learn, adapt and discover the best ways to connect with each individual.
What will you be doing?
No two days will be the same, but one thing will remain constant: the opportunity to make a meaningful difference.
Some of your key responsibilities will include:
Supporting learners to participate in educational sessions, creative activities and community experiences
Encouraging independence, confidence and the development of everyday living skills
Helping learners communicate, express their preferences and make choices about their lives
Providing personalised support with mobility, personal care and health and wellbeing needs
Supporting learners of all genders with personal care, while respecting their dignity and individual preferences
Using a range of communication approaches to build meaningful connections with learners
Working alongside colleagues and other professionals to deliver consistent, person-centred support
Supporting learners to access their local community and enjoy activities that reflect their interests
Maintaining accurate records and following individual support plans
Creating a safe, welcoming and inclusive environment where every learner feels valued
What we’re looking for
You don’t need previous experience in specialist education or formal care qualifications to make a difference at Knapwell.
We’re looking for someone who is patient, enthusiastic and genuinely interested in helping young adults with complex disabilities achieve their potential.
You’ll need:
Caring or support experience, whether gained through personal, voluntary or professional experience
A compassionate, respectful and person-centred approach
The ability to work independently and as part of a supportive team
Good communication skills and a willingness to adapt your approach to individual needs
A willingness to learn new communication methods, including signs and symbols
The ability to support learners with mobility and participate in activities alongside them
Confidence using your initiative, making decisions and solving problems creatively
Good literacy and numeracy skills to support learners with everyday activities and maintain accurate records
The ability to build positive relationships with learners, colleagues, families and other professionals
A commitment to completing the training required for your role
Previous experience supporting people with sensory impairments or learning disabilities would be an advantage, but isn’t essential.
A full manual UK driving licence and willingness to drive would also be desirable, as would knowledge of BSL, Makaton or other communication methods.
We’ll provide training and development opportunities to help you build your confidence, develop your skills and become an excellent Support Worker.
About Sense College Knapwell
Nestled in the Cambridgeshire countryside, Sense College Knapwell offers a welcoming and inspiring environment where young adults with complex disabilities can learn, grow and develop greater independence.
Located approximately 10 miles from Cambridge, and within reach of Huntingdon, St Neots and St Ives, our centre is surrounded by farmland, with its own garden area and a peaceful rural setting.
Our specialist team delivers individualised learning programmes shaped around each learner’s interests, abilities and aspirations. Using the Sense Curriculum Framework, we focus on meaningful outcomes that help learners build confidence, develop communication skills and participate more independently in everyday life.
We believe every achievement deserves to be celebrated, whether it’s mastering a new skill, communicating a choice or enjoying an experience for the first time.
Important travel information: Sense College Knapwell is not served by a public transport route. Applicants must therefore have reliable alternative means of travelling to and from the centre.
Working at Sense gives you a wide range of benefits including:
24 days’ holiday + bank holiday entitlement, increasing with length of service
Free DBS Check
Free leadership and management development, including our award-winning Growing Stronger Leaders Together programme
Free access to over 100 online and face-to-face training opportunities, including the Care Certificate
Ongoing learning and development opportunities
Flexible working and family-friendly policies
Employee referral scheme
Health and wellbeing support
Pension Scheme
Discount scheme
About Sense
Sense is a leading disability charity, here to break down barriers alongside disabled people with complex needs. We use our knowledge and expertise to deliver personalised, creative and flexible support at every stage of life. Together, we drive change, building a future where everyone has the power, choice and control to live the lives we choose.
We’re proud to be a Disability Confident Leader and a charity where people can grow their skills and careers in a supportive, flexible environment.
As part of our new three-year strategy, we’re delivering a transformational plan focused on strengthening support for disabled people with complex needs, driving social change and creating a fairer, more equal future.
For further information, visit: Transforming Sense, together: our three-year plan
Our Values
Our values shape the way we behave and work alongside disabled people with complex needs to break down barriers:
We’re creating change
We’re always learning
We’re better together
Ready to make a difference?
If you’re looking for more than just a job, and want to spend your working days helping young adults discover new possibilities, we’d love to hear from you.
To apply
Please complete your application, ensuring your supporting statement demonstrates how your skills and experience meet the essential criteria outlined in the Person Specification.
We recommend reading the candidate guidelines, job description and person specification before applying.
Please note that we reserve the right to close vacancies early, so we encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible.
If you require any assistance or adjustments during the recruitment process, please contact our Recruitment Team on 0121 393 4529 or recruitment@sense.org.uk.
Sense is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of vulnerable children and adults and expects all employees to share this commitment. This role is subject to an Enhanced DBS check for children and adults.
We particularly welcome applications from candidates from underrepresented ethnic minority backgrounds and candidates with disabilities. Sense is committed to equality of opportunity and to promoting and celebrating the diversity of our staff, volunteers and the people we work with.
We welcome applications from talented people from all sections of the community who share our values and our belief that everyone should have the opportunity to fulfil their potential.
No agency submissions please: any submissions without prior authorisation from the Sense Recruitment Team will be treated as our own and as such no fee will be payable.
Precise Location: The Cornfield Suite, Glebe Farm, Knapwell, Cambridgeshire, CB23 4GG, United Kingdom…