Specialist Support Worker - Young People (Trauma-Informed Support)

IRIS Recruitment; Gloucester; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

Gloucestershire City Homes (GCH) seeks a Specialist Support Worker for Hewmar House Young People’s Service to provide trauma-informed, person-centred support to residents with complex needs. The role includes developing individual support plans, safeguarding, tenancy sustainment, and collaboration with partners, with a 3-week rota and weekend/on-call duties; on-call adds £30 per call.

37 hours per week, permanent contract, no night shifts, visa-free working in the UK; travel to Hewmar House

Qualifications

• Level 3 NVQ in Health and Social Care (Children and Young People) or equivalent.
• Level 4 Certificate in Working with Children, Individuals and Families or equivalent.
• Counselling qualification or another relevant counselling qualification.
• Substantial professional experience in a similar role/environment.

Responsibilities

• Develop and deliver individual support plans focused on independence and outcomes.
• Support housing, wellbeing, life skills and tenancy sustainment.
• Collaborate with colleagues, statutory services and partner agencies.
• Identify safeguarding concerns, risk factors and wellbeing needs.
• Encourage engagement, behaviour change and use of support services.
• Maintain accurate records, case notes and outcome monitoring.

Skills

Communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Organisational skills

Problem-solving

Case management

Teamwork & lone-working

Resilience

Trauma-informed care

Safeguarding knowledge

Documentation

Education

Level 3 NVQ Health & Social Care (CYP)

Level 4 Certificate in Working with Children, Families

Counselling qualification

Experience in similar role

Job description

Permanent, Full Time (37 hours per week)

Are you passionate about improving people’s lives? At GCH weAdapt, weInspire,weOwn itand weCare. We live by our values and are dedicated to delivering on our commitment to customers. If that sounds like you, why not join us?

We're seeking a Specialist Support Worker to join our Young People's Service at Hewmar House, supporting young people with complex needs within supported accommodation. This is a rewarding opportunity to help young people build confidence, develop essential life skills, overcome barriers, and successfully transition towards independent living.

As a senior member of the team, you'll provide guidance and support to colleagues, coordinate shift activities, and deliver person-centred support that enables young people to thrive.

What you'll be doing...

Developing and delivering individual support plans focused on independence and achieving positive outcomes. Supporting young people with housing, wellbeing, life skills and tenancy sustainment. Working collaboratively with colleagues, statutory services and partner agencies. Identifying and responding to safeguarding concerns, risk factors and wellbeing needs. Encouraging positive engagement, behaviour change and participation in support services. Maintaining accurate records, case notes and outcome monitoring information.

We'd like you to have...

Qualifications

Level 3 NVQ in Health and Social Care (Children and Young People), or an equivalent qualification. Level 4 Certificate in Working with Children, Individuals and Families, or an equivalent qualification. Certificate in Counselling, or another relevant counselling qualification. Alternatively, substantial professional experience working in a similar role/environment

Skills & Experience

• Experience supporting young people, vulnerable individuals or those experiencing homelessness and complex needs. A good understanding of homelessness, supported housing and the challenges faced by young people. Knowledge of safeguarding, risk management and trauma-informed approaches. Strong communication and interpersonal skills to build trust and positive relationships with young people and partners. Excellent organisational, problem-solving and case management skills. The ability to work collaboratively with internal teams and external partners. Able to work effectively both as part of a team and lone-working, demonstrating resilience, adaptability and professionalism in demanding and emotionally complex environments.

This role delivers intensive, trauma-informed support to young people with complex needs, helping them build resilience, improve wellbeing and move towards independence. No personal care duties are required, and the role is not based within a care home or residential care environment.

Hewmar House

Based at Hewmar House, a 24/7 supported accommodation service for young people who have experienced homelessness and may have complex support needs, including trauma, vulnerability, and tenancy-related challenges.

The role operates on a 3-week rota, including a mix of early shifts (7:45am to 3:45pm) and late shifts (2:00pm to 10:00pm), with no night shifts required.

You will be required to work every other weekend and participate in a 1-in-7 on-call rota. On-call duties involve providing telephone support to colleagues when needed, with an additional £30 payment per call received.

Due to shift start and finish times, applicants must be able to travel to and from Hewmar House reliably.

Closing Date: 9th October 2026

GCH reserve the right to bring the closing date forward should enough quality applications be received prior to the current closing date.

Please note: Gloucestershire City Homes is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this role. Applicants must have a valid and unrestricted right to work in the UK.

GCH is committed to equal opportunities. We actively encourage applications from all sections of our community, particularly those with lived experience of our work.

We celebrate the diverse nature of our customers and colleagues, striving to develop diverse teams where everyone can be their authentic self through an inclusive, family friendly, flexible and fun culture.

At GCH, weAdapt, weInspire,weOwn itand weCare. We live by our values and are dedicated to delivering on our commitment to customers #BeTheDifference. If that sounds like you, we’d be delighted to hear from you!