Join Our Team: Could You Help Someone Reclaim Their Home, Confidence and Independence?

Therapeutic Support Assistant (Associate Contractor)Part-time | Approximately 6–12 hours per week (Tuesday–Thursday) | Community-based across Hampshire

Some jobs are about completing tasks.

This role is about changing lives.

At Red Squirrel OT CIC, we believe that people are far more than their possessions. We work alongside adults experiencing hoarding behaviours, helping them take small, meaningful steps towards safer homes, greater independence and improved wellbeing.

We're looking for a compassionate, reliable and motivated Therapeutic Support Assistant to join our growing team as a self-employed Associate Contractor.

Why this role is different

This isn't about clearing houses. It's about building trust.

People experiencing hoarding behaviours are often living with complex life experiences, anxiety, trauma, neurodiversity or mental health challenges. Lasting change only happens when someone feels understood, respected and empowered.

As a Therapeutic Support Assistant, you'll work alongside our Occupational Therapist to provide practical, person-centred support that enables individuals to move towards goals that matter to them.

Every visit is different. One day you might be supporting someone to organise part of their home. Another day you could be accompanying them to a community activity, helping establish routines, or simply providing encouragement as they achieve something they've been putting off for years.

You'll be part of a team that celebrates progress measured in confidence rather than bin bags.

Who would enjoy this role?

This opportunity would particularly suit someone who enjoys working with people and wants meaningful experience within health, wellbeing or community support.

We'd especially love to hear from:

• Occupational Therapy students or graduates

• Psychology students or graduates

• Mental Health Nursing students

• Social Work students

• Counselling or Psychotherapy students

• Health and Social Care professionals

• Anyone with relevant community support experience and a passion for person-centred practice

  
  

Experience supporting people with mental health, neurodiversity or other complex health needs is desirable, although equally important is your ability to build trusting relationships with empathy, patience and respect.

Everything we do is guided by our values

What we're looking for

We're seeking someone who is:

• Compassionate and non-judgemental

• Calm, patient and emotionally intelligent

• Comfortable working independently in the community

• Organised and reliable

• An excellent communicator

• Passionate about helping people achieve meaningful change

Because this is a community-based role, you'll also need:

• To be self-employed

• Availability for approximately 6–12 hours per week, primarily Tuesday to Thursday

• Access to your own vehicle for business use

• Public Liability Insurance

• An Enhanced DBS (or willingness to obtain one)

  
  

What you'll gain

Working with Red Squirrel OT CIC offers far more than valuable experience.

You'll have the opportunity to:

• Develop practical skills in trauma-informed practice

• Gain experience working alongside an Occupational Therapist

• Deepen your understanding of hoarding behaviours and complex mental health

• Build experience that supports future careers in Occupational Therapy, Psychology, Mental Health, Social Work and related professions

• Be part of a supportive organisation making a genuine difference within local communities

Most importantly, you'll know that your work has helped someone feel safer, more hopeful and more connected.

Our Values

Everything we do is guided by our values:

Compassion. Respect. Collaboration. Integrity. Inclusion. Empowerment.

We meet people where they are, never where others think they should be.

We understand that sustainable change happens through trust, not judgement.

If these values resonate with you, we'd love to hear from you.

Interested?

If you're looking for flexible, rewarding work where every hour makes a genuine difference, we'd love to hear from you.

Join Red Squirrel OT CIC and become part of a team helping people reclaim not just their homes but their confidence, independence and quality of life.