Support Worker

Peters Dean Care Ltd; North Bersted; On-site; GBP 21,000 - 27,000; Full time

Job summary

Peters Dean Care Ltd in Bognor Regis is seeking a compassionate Support / Key Worker to help 16–18-year-olds in a trauma-informed home. You will build positive relationships, provide emotional support and help with independence and life skills.

The role involves safeguarding, completing reports, liaising with social workers, and supporting attendance at appointments, jobs, and training. It requires empathy, reliability and the ability to work as part of a team on a rolling shift pattern,

Qualifications

• Empathetic and caring approach to young people.
• Patience and non-judgemental support.
• Strong communication and listening skills.
• Reliable, organised and team-oriented.

Responsibilities

• Build trusting relationships with young people to boost self-esteem and confidence.
• Conduct key work sessions on independent living, careers and life skills.
• Follow the Programme to Independence and tailor support to each young person.
• Provide emotional support and help them make positive future choices.

Skills

Empathy

Patience

Communication skills

Reliability

Teamwork

Job description

We’re looking for a kind, reliable and enthusiastic Support / Key Worker to work in a trauma-informed home in Bognor, supporting young people aged 16–18. You’ll be joining a growing supported accommodation service provider who are opening their third home shortly.

The role is all about helping young people develop the skills, confidence and independence they need to move forward in life. You’ll build positive relationships, offer emotional support and help them work towards their individual goals, whether that’s learning everyday life skills, finding a job or preparing for adulthood.

Some of the young people may have experienced trauma or be facing difficult circumstances, so you’ll need to be patient, understanding and able to offer consistent support without judgement.

What will you be doing?

• Building trusting relationships with young people and helping them develop their self-esteem and confidence.
• Carrying out key work sessions around independent living, employment, careers, personal safety and preparing for adulthood.
• Following the service’s Programme to Independence and providing individual support based on each young person’s needs.
• Offering emotional support and encouraging young people to make positive choices about their future.
• Working through care and pathway plans, reviewing support plans and following up on actions agreed with other professionals.
• Liaising with social workers, families where appropriate and other professionals involved in the young people’s lives.
• Attending professional and safeguarding meetings when required.
• Completing reports, risk assessments, incident forms and other paperwork, as well as keeping up with emails and general administration.
• Following missing-from-home procedures and responding appropriately to safeguarding concerns, potential exploitation and challenging behaviour.
• Supporting young people to attend medical appointments, job interviews and other activities.
• Helping young people build connections within the local community.
• Assisting with the day today running of the home, including general household tasks.

You’ll also complete online training and work closely with the rest of the team to make sure young people receive consistent, appropriate support.

Hours and shift pattern

This is a 38.75-hour-per-week role, plus sleep-ins, working on a rolling rota of two days and two nights on, followed by four days off. There will also be some lone working.

What we’re looking for

Above all, we’re looking for someone who genuinely cares about young people and wants to help them make positive changes in their lives.

• Empathetic, patient and able to offer support in a non-judgemental way.
• Reliable, organised and willing to go the extra mile.
• Confident building positive relationships with young people while maintaining appropriate boundaries.
• Comfortable working independently when needed, as well as being part of a team.
• A good listener and communicator, both verbally and in writing.
• Flexible and happy to work shifts that include nights and weekends.

Experience supporting young people who have experienced trauma would be an advantage, along with a genuine interest in supporting 16–18-year-olds as they develop their independence.

A full driving licence is essential.

Why consider this role?

This is an opportunity to be part of a service where the support you provide can have a lasting impact. You’ll help young people develop practical skills, build confidence and take steps towards a more independent future.

If you’re caring, dependable and enjoy helping young people work towards their goals, this could be a great opportunity for you