Role Purpose
To provide direct support to young people aged 16 and up. The role focuses on empowering young people to develop the skills, confidence, and resilience needed to achieve independence and transition into adulthood successfully. The Support Worker will work closely with the service team to ensure that the care and support provided align with regulatory standards and the young people's individual needs.
Key Responsibilities
* Supporting Young People: Build trusting relationships, offer guidance and emotional support, and help young people master independent-living skills such as budgeting, cooking, cleaning and personal care.
* Promoting Independence: Encourage informed decision-making and personal responsibility, creating safe opportunities for young people to practise and refine new skills.
* Safety and Well-being: Monitor safety, identify and report safeguarding concerns, and implement risk assessments and safety plans to ensure a consistently safe, supportive environment.
* Daily Living Support: Assist with everyday tasks—keeping living spaces clean, attending appointments—and provide practical help that opens access to education, training and employment.
* Compliance with Ofsted Standards: Work in line with Ofsted regulations and organisational policies, contribute to care-plan development, review progress and adjust support to maintain high standards.
* Record Keeping and Reporting: Maintain accurate, up-to-date records of interactions, incidents and progress, and prepare clear reports for reviews that highlight young people’s views and achievements.
* Team Collaboration: Partner with colleagues, managers and external agencies to deliver holistic support, and participate actively in meetings, training and supervision.
* Policy Adherence: Follow organisational policies on drugs, alcohol, behaviour management and safeguarding, communicate expectations and consequences, and respect privacy, dignity and confidentiality.
* Advocacy and Rights: Champion young people’s rights and voices in all decisions affecting them, and provide information on advocacy services and the local offer for care leavers.
* Promoting Positive Behaviour: Model positive behaviour, set clear boundaries, give constructive feedback, and help young people resolve conflicts and develop coping strategies.
Person Specification
* Essential: Experience working with young people (ideally in supported accommodation); insight into the challenges of transitioning to independence; strong communication and interpersonal skills; capacity to manage challenging behaviour and remain calm in crises; solid safeguarding knowledge; and flexibility to work shifts, evenings, weekends and public holidays.
* Desirable: Qualifications in youth work, social care or a related field; QCF Level 3 achieved, in progress or commitment to complete; familiarity with Ofsted standards for supported accommodation; and certifications such as First Aid or Mental Health First Aid.
* Key Competencies: Empathy and patience, professionalism and integrity, teamwork and collaboration, problem-solving ability, and resilience and adaptability.
Safeguarding Statement
Spectrum Children and Young People Services is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. We expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment and to adhere to the highest standards of professional conduct. All appointments are subject to satisfactory enhanced DBS checks and compliance with our safeguarding policies and procedures to ensure a safe environment for those in our care.
Important Information:
Hourly rate: £12.75
Hours: (Apply online only) per month
Sleeps: £50 per night and a requirement of role
Location: Gloucester GL51
Qualification: Required to study the QCF level 3
General:
* Supporting Young People aged 16-18 and up to 25
* Rolling rota
* Sleep in shifts required
* Lone working
* Experience with Children / Young People preferred
* Must be UK resident
* QCF 3 desired but not essential