30/05/2026
🌟 WE'RE HIRING 🌟
**Support & Skills Development Worker**
📍 Middlesbrough
🕒 24 Hours Per Week
📅 Closing Date: 15th June 2026
The Glowsticks Project is looking for a passionate, motivated and enthusiastic Teaching Assistant or experienced Support Worker to join our growing team.
We support autistic young people and adults, and individuals with ADHD and co-occurring learning disabilities, to develop confidence, independence, employability skills and brighter futures.
Before you apply, it's important to understand that this is not a traditional support worker role.
Our young people and adults aren't sitting in a classroom completing worksheets all day, and they aren't passive recipients of support.
This is a fast-paced catering and community environment where staff are expected to work on a 4:1 support ratio while supporting people to serve real customers, prepare real food, achieve real qualifications and work towards meaningful employment opportunities.
It's rewarding, inspiring and often brilliant fun.
It's also hard work.
Our entire catering team is neurodivergent and has additional needs. They run the show - not us.
We are not recruiting catering assistants - we are recruiting people who can teach, coach, encourage, support and empower others to succeed.
# # # Essential Requirements
✅ A minimum of 1 year's experience supporting autistic individuals in either a Teaching Assistant, Learning Support Assistant, SEND, education or support work setting.
✅ A strong understanding of autism and neurodiversity.
✅ The ability to adapt your communication and support style to meet individual needs.
✅ A positive, proactive and solution-focused attitude.
✅ A trauma-informed approach to support.
Teaching Assistants, Learning Support Assistants and SEND Practitioners are strongly encouraged to apply.
**Experienced Support Workers will also be considered based on their skills, experience and knowledge**, particularly where they can demonstrate a strong track record of supporting autistic individuals and people with ADHD and learning disabilities.
We're looking for someone who:
⭐ Believes in high expectations and genuine inclusion
⭐ Is patient, kind, reliable and resilient
⭐ Can build confidence, independence and life skills
⭐ Communicates effectively and works well as part of a team
⭐ Understands that support is about enabling people to do things for themselves, not doing things for them
⭐ Wants to make a genuine difference in people's lives
# # # Our Recruitment Process
Successful applicants will first be invited to an interview with our Senior Leadership Team, including our Founder, Rebecca, and our volunteer HR Manager, Phill.
Applicants who are successful at interview will then be invited to complete a 4-hour trial shift, consisting of:
☕ 2 hours within our busy charity café
🥖 2 hours within our bakery
During this time, you will shadow one of our experienced Support Workers and gain a genuine insight into what life at Glowsticks is really like.
This is a vital part of our recruitment process. It allows us to assess whether you are the right fit for our team, but equally importantly, it allows you to decide whether Glowsticks is the right environment for you.
The role can be challenging, fast-paced and unpredictable - however, it is also exceptionally rewarding.
Our young people and adults are some of the most incredible people you will ever meet. They will make you laugh, challenge your thinking, celebrate their achievements with you and continually remind you why this work matters.
If you're looking for a role where you'll help people discover what they are capable of, celebrate achievements and be part of something truly special, we'd love to hear from you.
📧 To apply, please email your CV and a covering letter to:
[email protected]
📅 **Closing Date: 15th June 2026**
Enhanced DBS checks and references will be required.
💚 Because at Glowsticks, support isn't about doing things for people.
It's about helping people realise they can do them for themselves.
Check out the pictures...
POV - you're a support worker at Glowsticks... and this is what life looks like with some of the best young people and adults in the world 💚
