Youth Support Worker

YMCA Robin Hood Group; Bulwell; On-site; GBP 21,000 - 29,000; Full time

Job summary

YMCA Robin Hood Group is seeking a Youth Support Worker to provide supportive accommodation and guidance for unaccompanied asylum-seeking young people aged 16-21 in Nottingham. You will build trusting, person-centred relationships and help residents pursue education, volunteering or employment opportunities while fostering independence.

An average day includes coordinating with offices and night staff, engaging residents in individual and small-group activities, planning life-skills sessions and

Qualifications

• Experience in supporting vulnerable or challenging individuals with diverse needs.
• Ability to build rapport and trust with residents.
• Proactive and passionate about supporting people.

Responsibilities

• Check emails and liaise with overnight staff regarding incidents or events.
• Engage with residents individually and in small groups to identify strengths and interests, crafting constructive activities that promote new skills, confidence, and self-esteem.
• Explore pathways with local providers to create opportunities for volunteering, education, or employment.
• Follow your schedule to ensure regular sessions with each resident on a 1-2-1 or small group basis, maintaining consistent support.
• Organise and facilitate sessions that build essential life skills for residents.

Job description

At YMCA Robin Hood, we provide supported accommodation for unaccompanied asylum-seeking Young People aged between 16 - 21, who have arrived in the UK without a parent or guardian. Recognising their vulnerability, we offer dedicated accommodation that fosters a safe environment, enabling these young individuals to learn about their new community and culture while beginning their recovery from past traumas.

Our primary aim is to empower these young people to confidently transition into independent living, facilitating their steps towards education or employment.

If you possess the passion, empathy, drive, and determination to assist these remarkable young people in building their independence and overcoming obstacles, we encourage you to continue reading!

Based at our dedicated accommodation building in Nottingham, this role will involve working closely with our young people, allowing you to cultivate trusted, understanding, and person-centred relationships.

An average day as a Youth Support Worker would include:

• Starting your day at the YMCA offices, checking emails, and liaising with overnight staff regarding any incidents or events that require your attention.
• Engaging with residents individually and in small groups to identify their strengths and interests, crafting constructive activities that promote new skills, confidence, and self-esteem.
• Exploring pathways with local providers to create opportunities for volunteering, education, or employment.
• Following your schedule to ensure regular sessions with each resident on a 1-2-1 or small group basis, maintaining consistent support.
• Organising and facilitating sessions that build essential life skills for residents.

If you seek a dynamic role where no two days are the same, where you are actively engaged rather than confined to a desk, and where you can make a tangible difference in young people's lives, this position is ideal for you!, This role primarily operations Monday to Friday, but occasional early mornings, evenings, or weekend shifts may be required to support the team.

Why You'll Love This Role:

• Impactful Work: Be part of meaningful changes in young people's lives every day, witnessing their successful transitions to independence.
• Career Growth: Enhance your understanding and gain qualifications and experience in housing support and working with vulnerable individuals or those experiencing homelessness.
• Supportive Environment: Collaborate within dedicated teams across Nottinghamshire that value teamwork, continuous learning, and compassion.

This demanding yet rewarding role requires experience in supporting vulnerable or challenging individuals with diverse needs.

• Your communication skills will be pivotal; you will need to build rapport and trust with residents effectively.
• Previous experience in Supported Housing or an understanding of the challenges faced by vulnerable individuals will be advantageous.
• You must be proactive and passionate about supporting people, sharing our belief that everyone deserves a fair chance to discover their potential.
• You will creating a positive, nurturing and trusted environment for them to live and thrive.
• You will providing unconditional positive support, whilst maintaining boundaries with calm and consistent professional practice.
• An appreciation for different cultures, with sensitivity to introduce new traditions while celebrating and embracing the religious and cultural events of their backgrounds, is essential.
• Act as a role model for them to model their behaviours against.
• You should understand the needs of asylum seekers and be familiar with the services available to them, enabling you to signpost to relevant third parties.
• Confidence to lone working and manage your own schedule, alongside collaborating with your team to achieve results, is necessary.