Work With Us
Who are we?
Green Light PBS ltd. is a leading provider of social care based in Cornwall, established by members of our present senior team in 2010 with the mission to ‘empower people to lead a lifestyle they’re proud of’. Since then, we’ve grown to over 250 staff, supporting 43 people with learning disabilities and autism in quality family style homes, flats and apartments.
Who does Green Light support?
Green Light provides quality services for and with adults with intellectual or learning disabilities and autism. Our accommodation, training and the type of support provided is tailored to the specific needs expected, and considered best practice, in this population.
Where are we?
Green Light is a Cornish company with homes in, or close to, most of the major towns in Cornwall, and never far from the coast! In some areas we have two or three homes. Our office and training rooms, originally in Redruth, are now in Newquay. We now have teams in Leedstown, Camborne, Redruth, Portreath, Illogan, Scorrier, Truro, Perranporth, Goonhavern, Newquay, Grampound Road and Foxhole.
Are there plans to open new homes?
Yes! – In Spring 2023 we’ll be creating new services for six young adults in Goonhavern near Truro in a brand new development of six homes. Then in Autumn 2023 we’ll be opening a second home in Foxhole near St. Austell for just two adults.
Foxhole – the existing home for one person
What roles are available?
Demand for current and future services means we are continually hiring to coincide with our next induction programme. As such we normally have Support Worker, Senior Support Worker, Waking Night Support Worker, Deputy Manager, and Registered Manager roles available. Most of our senior team started their journey with us, or in the sector, as Support Workers, progressing through roles and responsibilities, growing with the company. As well as our 40 hour full time contracts, many roles can be on a 20 or 30 hour part time contract. Our flexible ‘relief support worker role’ is popular with those who have set commitments like studies, caring for a relative, or to be there for the school run. Exactly which role, what type of contract, or location might work best for you, is something we are always very happy to discuss with potential applicants.
What shifts would be available?
Green Light provides around-the-clock support all year round. There is usually a combination of day, evening and weekend shifts available with alternate weekends-off. Waking Night Support Workers work specifically overnight 2200 – 0800 for hours they are contracted for. Once trained and competent sleep-in shifts are available around once a week. Sleep-in support is there for people who ordinarily sleep well, needing minimal support overnight. People with greater needs (e.g. supervision for epilepsy) have trained Waking Night Support Workers allocated. Sometimes to cover everyone’s needs we might have a combination of waking night support and sleep-in support. Managers prepare rotas well in advance so training, annual leave, team meetings and other arrangements can all be factored in and to ensure that there is the right combination of trained staff available.
Would I be suited to being a Support Worker at Green Light?
If you’re a people person, or enjoy helping others succeed in life, there’s a good chance this is just the role for you! Great support workers are team players and problem-solvers. Our best support workers are people who put others first, always treat people with kindness, dignity and respect. Respecting people’s rights comes naturally to them. Many people who work with us have some personal affinity to autism that adds immense value to what we do overall.
Read the blog What Makes a Great Support Worker?
What training is provided to new staff?
Quite a lot! Your journey with Green Light starts with our award-winning training and induction programme, where you’ll get to meet other people who’ve decided to join us too. This can be up to two weeks or more long, learning about our aims, vision, mission and ethos and topics like learning disabilities, autism, safeguarding related to your role. You’ll meet your new manager and team during the induction, to help you feel prepared. Induction training usually happens at our office in Newquay and at the home you’ll be based in with some virtual sessions.
What support is available once I join?
We believe good management support is key to providing quality services to the people we support. A Registered Manager and Deputy Manager is allocated to each team so they can induct, coach, supervise and support their team to fulfil their roles well. Our managers tend to be very practical, leading from the front, bringing out the best in the team, playing to people’s strengths. Our management team provide 24/7 on-call support for their colleagues to access for any advice, guidance and support that might be needed.
Are there opportunities to progress?
Yes! There is huge demand for social care services like ours, creating opportunities for you to build a rewarding career with our support, training and experience. There’s a nationwide shortage of quality services for people with learning disabilities and autism. Many people are stuck in hospitals unnecessarily because of this. This means there is huge demand for services to be created. Growing our workforce and investing in their skills means we can be part of the solution to this challenge.
Most of our senior management team started in entry-level roles at Green Light helping us grow and create good care and support for people, while building a solid career for themselves.
At Green Light there are opportunities to grow into managerial, or behaviour support roles. Working with us will also put you in good stead if you are keen to develop into other roles in the Health and Social Care sector. – We have been able to provide valuable background training and experience needed for people to become Occupational Therapists, Physiotherapists, Clinical Psychologists, Learning Disability Nurses, Social Workers. We are the perfect workplace for aspiring Behaviour Analysts seeking experience and supervision.
PBS team members and behaviour analysts Darina & Mollie
Will I work with the type of people I wish to work with?
Before joining Green Light, it’s worth reflecting on which population you wish to concentrate on. The sector Green Light is part of serves people of all ages with all kinds of needs. Some companies may focus on particular needs like dementia, homelessness, drug and alcohol dependency or mental health needs. At Green Light we only support those with intellectual or learning disability and autism. So, working with us will put this kind of experience under your belt, and set you apart from the crowd, in any future career plans you may have.
What’s unique about Green Light?
Green Light is unique in being able to offer an entirely new role in adult social care called the Behaviour Technician This innovative training was researched and created by our PBS team to suit adults with intellectual disabilities and autism. The Behaviour Technician is an entry-level role in the science of applied behaviour analysis, which looks at how learning occurs, and can be utilised to help people achieve important life skills.
Behaviour Technician Siobhan Menhenett – story on our blog post here
Using behaviour analytic approaches, our teams have been able to teach people how to use the toilet independently, access important medical care, and confidently cope life events that previously caused stress and anxiety. This role will suit those who have some experience of learning disabilities and autism, like Senior Support Workers or Teaching Assistants that are interested in coaching adults with learning disabilities to learn specific skills needed to live independently.
Want to know more about ABA? – Take a look at this 40 min video by Professor Karola Dillenberger from Queens University Belfast “what ABA is and what ABA is not”
Watch this space – an Associate Behaviour Analyst role is under development for those with undergraduate degrees.
What are Green Light’s homes like?
Green Light’s homes are unlike traditional care homes, in that they largely resemble ordinary homes. You’ve probably passed one without realising it! The idea is they should be as homely, warm and welcoming as our own homes. Green Light’s homes are inspected by regulators that have consistently rated them ‘good’ in all areas.
Relaxing in the lounge at Fairfield
What level of support do people have?
The levels of support people have varies depending on their needs. The majority of people Green Light supports have 1:1 support. Some may have higher levels of support for specific needs. Others have less support or may share support at times. Others still may be practically independent, just needing a safety net of support, but still needing some support for specific situations. Individual needs are assessed carefully by our managers before a service is offered, to make sure we can safely meet these, and that we have all the right ingredients in place for the person to thrive. Needs change of course and overtime we expect to see reductions in support as independence skills increase. New team members shadow or ‘buddy up’ with trained competent team members, so that people can build relationships with one another. Time is set aside for reading key information on likes, dislikes, goals, needs, etc. and for any training needed.
What does a typical day look like for a Support Worker?
In a word; varied! Every day presents different challenges, opportunities and rewards, reflecting the individuality, strengths and needs of the people you are supporting. The support we provide is very much led by the person. Their wishes and needs drive how we spend our time. Our mission is all about empowering people to build skills that will ultimately lead to greater independence and a good quality of life. So, as much as possible, we aim to empower people to do as much as possible for themselves, even if this means things take a little longer to achieve!
Our teams try to use public transport as much as possible, but each team has access to a vehicle, so people can get to and from any activities they have planned ‘out and about’. Being a driver helps, but we welcome applications from non-drivers, or those learning to drive too. We encourage people to eat and socialise together during meals, as they would in any ordinary home, so meals and refreshments are provided for team members supporting people to facilitate this. – Social media followers may have noticed we have some incredible cooks in our homes who enjoy nothing more than a ‘bake off’ or to show off their Yorkshire pudding making skills!
Darina’s delicious Pride ’22 celebration cake.
Who can I speak to about joining Green Light?
Our recruitment team members Chloe Browne and Kerry Noonan are always very happy to chat about roles available and answer any questions you might have. – Just reach out and ask!
We can be contacted on 01637 416444 during office hours or by email [email protected]
I need some help with the application process!
No problem! – If you need any adaptations or assistance with the application process, just let Kerry or Chloe know and we will see what we can do to help you.
Coronavirus (COVID-19) update:
In-line with the Government and Public Health England guidelines, we have taken appropriate measures in our recruitment process to protect our staff, candidates and the people we support during the coronavirus outbreak.
Protecting you: We are committed to supporting our team members and take every precaution to ensure robust infection control procedures are followed and that they decrease the risk of Covid-19 transmission. As a support worker you will be provided with full PPE, including hand sanitiser, masks, gloves, apron and all the appropriate training to keep you and those around you safe.
