A large group of Southdown colleagues are in a field looking excited and are putting their hands in the air.

Our culture

We pride ourselves on having a hard working, diverse workforce, and a friendly and respectful culture. We know if our employees are well supported, and engaged in our mission and values, we can deliver better services.

We employ over 850 people across Sussex

Our employees work in a wide range of roles. Our head office is based at Bell Lane in Lewes, though many of our employees are based at 24-hour support services for people with learning disabilities, or support people in their own homes and in community settings.

Team members often tell us they work harder for Southdown than in previous jobs, but feel happier working for us. Our strong values and ethics, along with our culture of flexibility, inclusion, and respect, makes all the difference.

We’re always looking for opportunities to engage and involve employees and to keep improving, not only in supporting our clients but also respecting each other as individuals and working together as colleagues.

Employees who have lived experience of disability are welcomed and make a hugely valuable contribution, in which their first hand experience and insight often plays a part.

Many staff have worked with us for over 10 years, and we have received several employer awards including the Gold Standard from Investors in People, placing us in the top 2% of companies accredited by Investors in People.

Our pledge to our employees

At the core of our success is the talent, dedication, and passion of our staff. We work hard to recruit and retain skilled and caring individuals who hold the same values as Southdown and are committed to making a difference to the lives of people in Sussex. In return, we aim to be the best employer we can be.

We pledge to every member of our team that we will:

  • offer good employment benefits and working conditions, where everyone is treated fairly and with respect
  • create a welcoming, professional, and enjoyable work culture that recognises individuals and their input
  • invest in induction, training, and supervision to ensure employees are skilled and fully supported to do their job
  • provide resources and organisational support services so employees can work effectively and efficiently
  • be a flexible employer so staff can enjoy a good work-life balance
  • celebrate the contribution our employees make to help us provide vital services for our clients