Big Bad Scary Interview for United Response

soupface

I'm terrified. Haha. BACKSTORY: United Response, for those who don't know (I didn't), are a charity which supports people with various disabilities and mental health needs. I applied for a full time Support Worker position with them and I've got an interview on Wednesday morning. I think the job would involve supporting people with shopping, managing their money, looking after their homes, days out etc.

The interview format is very different to what I'm used to - it's made up of "group exercises" (I rang them and this will involve the people they support), "numeracy tests" (not really worried about that), "communications exercises" (...!?) and the formal interview. Has anyone ever had to do something like this? Better yet, has anyone had any experience with United Response themselves or done the same kind of job? What's it like?

This is the best job I've ever been able to get an interview for so my jitters are tinged with a huge amount of excitement, but I want the job so much I'm kind of afraid I'll go in there and say "HI NICE TO MEET YOU I REALLY WANT THIS JOB I'M GREAT PLEASE EMPLOY ME I LOVE DISABLED PEOPLE YAY." Naturally I realise this is not the kind of attitude they're looking for. General tips, anyone? I'd be really grateful.

thedilligaf222

Hi,
I had an interview with UR last October. I got the job.
The day was a relaxed affair with tea and biscuits, mixing with staff and people they support. (You can't always tell the difference). The people they support have some say as to whether they like you or not. Don't worry, if you speak to them and be friendly they will like you.
The first thing was for everyone to write down their morning routine. The object of this is to demonstrate how everyone is different. We must respect people's right to be different.
Then we all participated in compiling a list of what makes a good and bad support worker. Make sure you participate.
The interviews will be in the afternoon. There will be a manager, a support worker and a person they are supporting. The person they are supporting will have two questions prepared for you. I was asked how can you support me to do my shopping. I replied by asking what help they needed from me and there was my answer.
There were no difficult questions at my interview. The prerequisites are common sense and respect for the rights of the people they support.
Any questions you find difficult to answer, ask if there is training on that subject. They want to hear that you want all the training they can give you.
Relax. It was the easiest job interview I have ever had.
Good luck. You'll get the job and after a month or two you'll love it.

terra_ferma

Are you sure you are not giving out too much details? I don't think they'll be interviewing that many people for a f/t SW position on Wed morning....
And even fewer would have phoned them to ask more info about the group exercises.

Good luck anyway!

thedilligaf222

Hello, I'm Back,
I thought it might help you to know the nature of the job. You are right in what you said about supporting with shopping, supporting them to manage their own money is how you should describe it at the interview. When you get to the bit about compiling a list of what makes a good or bad support worker, listen carefully, it will be full of clues.
In some cases it's a bit like being a paid friend to them. It's also about helping them make their own choices in relationships, finance, friendships, purchases, diet, in fact in all aspects of their life. Remember it is much more about supporting people to do things for themselves than doing for them.
In 3 months I have worked for them, I have been to a gym, a hydro pool, several karaoke nights, the cinema, several pub and supermarket meals and I am supporting someone on a 3 day boating holiday in the lake district in June. However, there is also a bit of bum wiping, toilet cleaning, dressing and personal care. If (no, WHEN) you get the job expect about 2 months before you start to feel settled. It was a bit daunting for me at first, but now, for the first time in years, I actually have days when I look forward to "work".
Again, Good luck. I would be interested to know how you get on.