Trainee Practitioners - Young People Support Worker - TW1

St. Christopher's Fellowship; Hounslow; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 28,000; Part time

Job summary

A leading charity is seeking a dedicated Support Worker for their semi-independent home. You will work with young people, providing support and ensuring their safety, while gaining comprehensive training and rewarding benefits. This role is ideal for those passionate about making a difference in the lives of young individuals.

Benefits

4 weeks full induction and training program (paid)

25 days holiday rising to 27 after 3 years’ service

Competitive pay and rewards structure

Access to level 3 qualifications and industry-leading training

Employee assistance programme for counselling and support

Cycle to work scheme

Qualifications

• Commitment to working with and supporting young people.
• Understanding of challenges faced by young people.
• Flexibility and good communication as key attributes.

Responsibilities

• Develop authentic relationships with young people aged 16-24.
• Ensure residents' safety and provide support and liaison.
• Complete necessary documentation to record information.

Skills

Good communication skills

Flexibility to work shifts

Understanding of young people's issues

Ability to cope with challenging behaviour

Genuine commitment to supporting young people

Job description

Contract Type: Part-time, Permanent

Salary: £25,480 rising to £27,144 upon successful completion of mandatory training.

Location:Twickenham (TW1)

Closest station is Richmond- District Line (London Underground), Mildmay Line (London Overground) and South Western Railway (SWR) - 10 mins from Clapham Jct | 20 mins from Waterloo.

If you are looking for afulfilling and rewarding careerwhereno two days are the same,this might be the job for you!

The only thing you need is apassion for making a difference. We don't require previous care experience as we provide all thetraining and supportyou need to excel in your role.

About the Role:

As aSupport Workerin a Semi-Independent Home, you will have the opportunity of developing authentic relationships with our young people (aged 16 – 24 years old), you will also have responsibility for making sure our residents are safe, providing support, liaison with other professionals and completion of support documents to record information.

Working Hours:

Our Young People need care 24/7 so we have fixed rotas.

For this position; shifts are 10 hours from 12:00 - 22:00 on Saturdays and Sundays, you will be working 20 hours a week.

There is always the possibility to do overtime if you need a bit extra, this is paid time and half; same as bank holidays.

What you need to bring to this role:

• Genuine commitment to working and supporting Young People to achieve their full potential.
• An understanding of the issues facing young people.
• The ability to cope effectively with challenging behaviour.
• Good communication and team working skills.
• Flexibility to work shifts, including weekends and bank holidays.

What you should expect from us:

• Salary:£25,480 rising to £27,144 upon successful completion of mandatory training.
• 4 weeks full induction and training program (paid).
• Competitive pay and reward structure offering salary progression based on performance.
• Tailored career development plan through our“St Christopher’s Academy”.
• Join an experienced and dedicated team who have worked together for 3+ years and will offer you a fun, open, honest culture & a friendly working environment.
• 25 days holiday rising to 27 days after 3 years’ service, plus Bank Holidays, pro-rata.
• Industry leading training programme including access to level 3 qualifications, children’s right and participation, CSE, empowerment, mental health and social pedagogy.
• Contributory pension scheme, enhanced maternity and company sick scheme.
• UK Life Assurance (Death in service) to the value of 3 times your annual salary.
• BUPA employee assistance programme, offering counselling, financial advice and legal support.
• Cycle to work scheme.
• Bluelight card; discount shopping scheme at hundreds of retailers across the UK.
• Discretionary funded training programs.
• Employee awards based on performance and length of service.
• Fantastic opportunities to develop your career within our range of services.

About Us:

Our vision is for every child and young person to be safe, loved and happy, to achieve their potential and have a bright future.

St Christopher's is a leading charity for children and young people.We are proud of our history of providing fostering, children's homes and innovative leaving care services across the UK & Isle of Man. We have a passionate commitment to our young people, placing them at the centre of everything we do. We provide positive life experiences for young people who are unable to sustain a placement in their parental or foster home.

We are an equal-opportunity employer keen to develop an inclusive workforce where people feel they belong. We hope to attract applications from under- represented groups, including people from different cultures, nationalities, socioeconomic backgrounds, ages, disabilities, religions, faith, sex, orientation, childcare responsibilities, and gender-diverse identities.

Recruitment Process:

In order for your application to be reviewed, it must include a supporting statement addressing the criteria stated in the Person Specification.

Job Description and Person Specification- please visit our website

At St Christopher’s we are committed to the safeguarding of all children and young people in our care. During the recruitment process you will be expected to complete an online application form to ensure we capture essential information to meet legislation, best practice and vetting requirements.

Once application has been submitted, candidates will require to complete an online situational test which will inform the shortlisting process. Unsuccessful candidates will be communicated the outcome via email.

Closing date:Monday 30th June 2025

First stage interview:Tuesdays and Thursdays throughout June & July 2025

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to an individual interview. The interview will be face to face at our offices in Putney.

Second stage interview:Successful candidates will then attend the second stage at their preferred location.

Please note:

• This post has a minimum age restriction of 21 year for roles working directly with children and young people in our residential and supported accommodation Homes in line with the Equality Act ‘occupational requirement’.
• It is illegal to applyfor any role that involves working with children and young people under the age of 18, if you know you are barred from working with children.
• All shortlisted candidates invited to interview will be asked to submit aSelf-Declaration and Disclosureform which will need to be returned prior to an interview being booked.

In Short

• Industry Charities & Non-Profit
• Founded 1870
• Location London
• Company size 200 - 499

About Us

We are a charity founded in 1870 to create brighter futures for children and young people. We work across the UK and Isle of Man providing children’s homes, supported housing, fostering and specialist support services, all designed for young people in care, on the edge of care, or leaving care. We work alongside young people to support their development, grow their confidence and reach their full potential.

Our work is shaped by the‘Head, Heart, Hands’principles ofsocial pedagogy. TheHeadrepresents theevidence-basebehind our practice;Heartis for the meaningful relationships we forge with young people; and theHandssymbolise how we equip young people for real life by empowering them to make decisions.

Working for St Christopher’s

Are you fun and open-minded, with the ability to see the best in people? We are looking for people who are full of life, ideas, creativity and energy, and who have a passion for working with children and young people.

In return we offer competitivestaff benefits, structureddevelopmentand training through theSt Christopher’s Academy, and the chance to know you are making a real difference to young people’s lives.

St Christopher’s Academy

Working at St Christopher’s is more than just a job. It’s a rewarding career where you can develop your skills and knowledge while making a difference to young people’s lives.

St Christopher’s Academy ensures you are continually developing in yourchildren’s social care career. Whether you are happy in your current role, want to move across to a different service or are ready for a management position, we support you to map out your career trajectory and help you achieve your professional ambitions.

What you should expect from us

A young person’s experience of St Christopher’s is shaped by many things, but the most important thing is their relationships with our staff. They are caring, fun and never give up on the young people they work with. We look after you so that you are excited to come to work every single day.

• Competitive salaries reviewed annually.
• Enrolment in the St Christopher's Academy, offering structured pathways for you to develop your skills and expertise.
• Incremental annual leave entitlement.
• Contributory pension scheme, enhanced maternity and company sick scheme.
• Access to money-saving schemes.
• BUPA employee assistance programme, offering counselling, financial advice and legal support.
• Wellbeing support to ensure you are looking after yourself.
• More than just a job! one of the key elements of social pedagogy is about having fun with young people and taking part in new activities together such as rock climbing, gardening and pottery.