Support Worker (Young People)

Central Recruitment Services Ltd; Greater London; On-site; GBP 23,000 - 26,000; Full time

Job summary

Central Recruitment is partnering with a London-based charity to recruit for a role supporting young people in a housing context. You will manage a caseload of 8 youths, delivering key-work sessions, risk assessments, and safety plans within a welcoming accommodation setting.

The role requires experience with young people, trauma-informed approaches, and collaboration with internal teams and external agencies. Eligible candidates will have DBS clearance and right to work in the UK.

Qualifications

• Experience working with young people to develop life skills and engage in meaningful activities.
• Knowledge of Ofsted principles for supported accommodation and how to apply them in practice.
• Experience supporting young people with mental health and attachment needs, including self-harm.
• Experience in trauma-informed and attachment-based approaches to risk and needs assessments.

Responsibilities

• Manage a caseload of 8 young people, providing key work sessions and co-produced SMART support and safety plans.
• Complete comprehensive risk assessments and risk management plans.
• Assess referrals with colleagues to ensure suitable placements.
• Provide a safe, welcoming and high-quality accommodation service.
• Support young people to return home or move on through social housing nomination.
• Work with internal teams and external agencies to meet young people's needs.
• Run activities that help young people develop independence and prepare for move-on.
• Support access to education, employment and training opportunities.
• Carry out Health & Safety duties as required.
• Help maximise benefits and manage rent and service charges to minimise arrears.

Skills

Caseload management

Risk assessments

Safety planning

Youth engagement

IT literate

Welfare benefits knowledge

Collaboration with agencies

Tools

DBS clearance

Job description

Central Recruitment is working with a London-based charity dedicated to preventing homelessness and supporting individuals to rebuild their lives.

• 37.5 hours per week
• Monday - Sunday (rota basis)
• 08:00 - 16:00, 10:00 - 19:00 and 14:00 - 22:30
• Temporary: approx.2 - 3 months
• £17.14 per hour (£15.29 per hour, with £1.85 holiday pay)

Please note: this role may involve lone working

Key responsibilities:

• Manage a caseload of 8 young people, providing key work sessions and co-produced SMART support and safety plans
• Complete comprehensive risk assessments and risk management plans
• Assess referrals with colleagues to ensure suitable placements
• Provide a safe, welcoming and high-quality accommodation service
• Support young people to return home where appropriate or move on through the social housing nomination scheme
• Work with internal teams and external agencies to meet young people's needs
• Run activities that support young people to develop independence and prepare for move-on
• Support young people to access education, employment and training opportunities
• Carry out Health & Safety duties as required
• Support young people to maximise benefits and maintain rent and service charge payments, minimising arrears and void loss

What we're looking for:

• Experience working with young people to develop life skills and engage in meaningful activities
• Knowledge of Ofsted's key principles for supported accommodation and the ability to apply these in practice
• Experience supporting young people with mental health and attachment needs, including emerging personality disorder and significant self-harm
• Experience working in a trauma-informed and attachment-focused way, with an understanding of how these approaches inform risk and needs assessments, support planning, goal setting and reviews
• Experience working with at-risk young adults in a residential setting, with an understanding of how the Every Child Matters principles can be applied to support young people
• Good literacy, numeracy and comprehension skills, with an understanding of welfare benefits for under-21s, rents and service charges
• Confident using IT systems to produce letters, minutes, reports and other documentation

Further requirements:

In order to register with Central Recruitment Services for temporary agency work, candidates must meet the following criteria:

• Current valid right to work in the UK
• Minimum 12 months' of paid experience in a front line social care role within the last 3 years* (unless recruitment criteria states otherwise)
• A fully enhanced DBS either registered on the DBS update service or issued within the last 12 months, or willingness to apply for one through Central (at a cost of £60)
• Employment or education history to cover the last 5 years which can be verified through the referencing process