Young People Support Worker

Confidential; South Shields; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 29,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

26 days leave

Family-friendly policies

Pension up to 7%

Employee assistance

Health plan

Discounts

Job summary

Depaul UK is seeking a resilient Young People Support Worker in South Tyneside to help homeless young people move toward independent futures. You will manage a caseload, deliver tailored, outcome-focused support, and work across education, training and employment pathways.

You will build trusting relationships, assess risks, develop personalised plans, liaise with statutory services, supervise volunteers and maintain safeguarding and records. Lone working and commitment to equality are essential.

Qualifications

• Experience of completing risk assessments and developing support plans.
• Clear understanding of safeguarding requirements and procedures.
• Ability to engage young people creatively and sustain positive relationships.
• Confidence working independently and managing challenging situations.
• Good literacy, numeracy and IT skills.
• Strong professional boundaries and personal integrity.
• Collaborative approach to partnership working.
• Flexible and responsive to service needs.

Responsibilities

• Managing a caseload and delivering tailored, outcome-focused support
• Completing risk assessments and developing effective support plans
• Providing homelessness prevention and pre-tenancy support
• Delivering drop-in and planned sessions at community hubs and local venues
• Supporting young people to access education, training, employment and volunteering opportunities
• Liaising with statutory services and partner agencies for coordinated support
• Maintaining safeguarding, professional boundaries and accurate records
• Completing health and safety checks and reporting concerns
• Supporting and supervising volunteers who contribute to the service

Skills

Risk assessments

Safeguarding

Engaging youth

Independent working

Literacy & IT

Professional boundaries

Partnership working

Flexibility

Job description

Young People Support Worker

We are seeking a resilient and compassionate Support Worker to help young people overcome homelessness and move towards brighter, independent futures.

Salary: 26,436 per annum
Location: South Tyneside
Hours: 37.5 hours per week
Contract: Permanent, full time
Closing date: 27 September 2026

About the role

No two days will be the same in this rewarding role. As a Young People Support Worker, you will help young people experiencing homelessness or housing instability to build their confidence, develop practical skills and achieve greater independence.

You will manage a caseload of young people who need homelessness prevention or pre-tenancy support, developing personalised plans that help them secure accommodation and improve their wellbeing. By building trusting relationships and taking a creative approach to engagement, you will help each young person identify their strengths, overcome barriers and work towards their goals.

Your key responsibilities will include:

• Managing a caseload and delivering tailored, outcome-focused support
• Completing risk assessments and developing effective support plans
• Providing homelessness prevention and pre-tenancy support
• Delivering drop-in and planned sessions at the community hub and other local venues
• Supporting young people to access education, training, employment and volunteering opportunities
• Working with statutory services and partner agencies to provide coordinated support
• Maintaining safeguarding, professional boundaries and accurate records
• Completing health and safety checks and reporting concerns
• Supporting and supervising volunteers who contribute to the service

The role will involve lone working and responding calmly and professionally to challenging situations.

About you

You will be passionate about helping young people create positive change and able to build effective relationships with individuals who may be facing significant challenges.

You will bring:

• Experience of completing risk assessments and support plans
• A clear understanding of safeguarding requirements and procedures
• The ability to engage young people creatively and sustain positive working relationships
• Confidence working independently and managing challenging situations
• Good literacy, numeracy and IT skills
• Strong professional boundaries and personal integrity
• An effective and collaborative approach to partnership working
• A flexible and responsive approach to meeting the needs of the service
• A commitment to equality, diversity, dignity and respect

About Depaul UK

Depaul UK exists to end homelessness and change the lives of people affected by it. Since 1989, the charity has provided accommodation, prevention and support services to thousands of marginalised young people across the UK.

Joining Depaul UK means becoming part of an inclusive organisation where every achievement matters.

• 26 days' annual leave rising with service
• family-friendly policies
• a pension with employer contributions of up to 7%
• an Employee Assistance Programme with 24/7 GP access
• a cash health plan
• a range of retail and lifestyle discounts

Depaul UK welcomes applications from people of all backgrounds and is committed to fair, inclusive and safer recruitment. An appropriate DBS check will be undertaken where required.

Other roles you may have experience of could include Youth Support Worker, Homelessness Support Worker, Housing Support Worker, Key Worker, Project Worker, Tenancy Support Worker, Community Support Worker or Young Person's Support Worker.