Young Persons Support Practitioner

Fusion Fostering limited; Taunton; On-site; GBP 21,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

Fusion Independence is seeking a dedicated Support Worker / Young Persons Support Practitioner to provide person-centred, trauma-informed support to care leavers and young people transitioning to independence. You will help develop budgeting, cooking, self-care, tenancy management, and education/work readiness while maintaining professional boundaries and safeguarding duties.

You will work across shifts, including evenings and weekends, attend care reviews, and collaborate with families and

Qualifications

• Experience working with vulnerable young people, care leavers, young adults, or individuals with complex needs.
• Experience supporting individuals to develop independence and life skills.
• Experience within supported accommodation, residential care, youth work, social care, mental health, or similar settings.
• Experience safeguarding children, young people, or vulnerable adults.
• Experience maintaining accurate records, reports, and care documentation.
• Understanding of safeguarding and child protection procedures.
• Knowledge of person-centred and trauma-informed approaches to support.
• Understanding of challenges faced by care leavers transitioning to independence.

Responsibilities

• Deliver person-centred support to develop independent living skills, including budgeting, cooking, self-care, tenancy management, education, and employment readiness.
• Building positive relationships with young people, families, and professionals to promote stability, wellbeing, and positive outcomes.
• Implementing and reviewing individual support and care plans, ensuring support is tailored to changing needs and circumstances.
• Monitoring progress in daily living skills, emotional wellbeing, education, employment, social development, and healthcare needs.
• Providing advice, guidance, and emotional support on health, relationships, finance, education, substance awareness, and personal safety.
• Maintaining professional boundaries while creating a safe, inclusive, and non-judgemental environment.
• Acting as an advocate for young people, empowering them to achieve independence, celebrate achievements, and build confidence.
• Safeguarding vulnerable young people by recognising concerns, maintaining accurate records, and escalating risks in line with safeguarding procedures.
• Attending care reviews, planning meetings, and multi-agency discussions to support care planning and represent the organisation professionally.
• Conducting health and safety checks, room inspections, and maintenance reporting to maintain safe, welcoming living environments.
• Completing accurate daily records, shift handovers, incident reports, risk assessments, and weekly progress reports to a professional standard.
• Managing financial support payments and maintaining accurate expenditure records in line with care plans.
• Adhering to GDPR, confidentiality, lone working, safeguarding, and organisational policies at all times.
• Working flexibly across shifts, including evenings, weekends, nights, and bank holidays, while contributing positively to a professional and supportive team environment.

Skills

Communication

Empowerment

Problem solving

Decision making

Time management

Documentation

Teamwork

IT literacy

Tools

Digital recording systems

Job description

Support Worker / Young Persons Support Practitioner

Fusion Independence

Providing high-quality support, guidance, and practical assistance to young people, including care leavers and Unaccompanied Asylum-Seeking Children (UASC), to support their transition into independent adulthood. Delivering person-centred, trauma-informed support to promote independence, wellbeing, and positive life outcomes.

Key responsibilities included:

• Delivering person-centred support to young people to develop essential independent living skills, including budgeting, cooking, self-care, tenancy management, education, and employment readiness
• Building positive relationships with young people, families, and professionals to promote stability, wellbeing, and positive outcomes
• Implementing and reviewing individual support and care plans, ensuring support was tailored to changing needs and circumstances
• Monitoring progress in daily living skills, emotional wellbeing, education, employment, social development, and healthcare needs
• Providing advice, guidance, and emotional support on a range of topics, including health, relationships, finance, education, substance awareness, and personal safety
• Maintaining professional boundaries while creating a safe, inclusive, and non-judgemental environment that respected cultural, religious, and individual differences
• Acting as an advocate for young people, empowering them to achieve independence, celebrate achievements, and build confidence
• Safeguarding vulnerable young people by recognising concerns, maintaining accurate records, and escalating risks in line with safeguarding procedures
• Attending care reviews, planning meetings, and multi-agency discussions to support care planning and represent the organisation professionally
• Conducting health and safety checks, room inspections, and maintenance reporting to maintain safe, welcoming living environments
• Completing accurate daily records, shift handovers, incident reports, risk assessments, and weekly progress reports to a professional standard
• Managing financial support payments and maintaining accurate expenditure records in line with care plans
• Adhering to GDPR, confidentiality, lone working, safeguarding, and organisational policies at all times
• Working flexibly across shifts, including evenings, weekends, nights, and bank holidays, while contributing positively to a professional and supportive team environment

Experience

• Experience working with vulnerable young people, care leavers, young adults, or individuals with complex needs
• Experience supporting individuals to develop independence and life skills
• Previous experience within supported accommodation, residential care, youth work, social care, mental health, or similar settings
• Experience of safeguarding children, young people, or vulnerable adults
• Experience maintaining accurate records, reports, and care documentation

Knowledge & Understanding

• Understanding of safeguarding and child protection procedures
• Knowledge of person-centred and trauma-informed approaches to support
• Understanding of the challenges faced by care leavers and vulnerable young people transitioning to independence
• Awareness of equality, diversity, inclusion, and cultural sensitivity
• Knowledge of professional boundaries, confidentiality, and GDPR principles
• Understanding of health and safety procedures and risk management

Skills & Abilities

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build trusting relationships
• Ability to motivate, empower, and positively influence young people
• Ability to manage challenging situations calmly and professionally
• Strong organisational and time management skills
• Ability to complete accurate records, reports, and documentation to a high standard
• Ability to work independently using initiative, as well as collaboratively within a team
• Good problem-solving and decision‑making skills
• Competent IT skills and confidence using digital recording systems

Personal Qualities

• Compassionate, empathetic, and approachable manner
• Patient, resilient, and emotionally mature
• Non-judgemental attitude with the ability to work respectfully with people from diverse backgrounds
• Honest, trustworthy, and professional in all interactions
• Flexible and adaptable approach to working hours and service needs
• Passionate about supporting young people to achieve positive outcomes and independence

Other Requirements

• Willingness to work flexible shifts, including evenings, weekends, nights, and bank holidays
• Commitment to ongoing professional development and training
• Ability to work across multiple locations if required
• Enhanced DBS clearance (or willingness to obtain)
• Full UK driving licence (desirable depending on service requirements)

Desirable Criteria

• Experience working with care leavers and/or Unaccompanied Asylum-Seeking Children (UASC)
• Relevant qualification in Health & Social Care, Residential Childcare, Youth Work, Psychology, or a related field
• Training in safeguarding, trauma-informed care, mental health awareness, behaviour support, de‑escalation, or first aid
• Experience working within multi‑agency environments and liaising with external professionals
• Knowledge of housing, tenancy support, benefits, education, and employment pathways for young people