New Leaf provides a safe "home from home" environment for young people aged 16-21 in Ofsted-regulated supported accommodation. Many of the young people we support have experienced trauma, neglect, abuse, exploitation, and/or homelessness risk. Our approach is trauma-informed, relationship-based and outcomes-focused with the voice of the young person central to everything we do.
The Role
We are recruiting a Senior Support Worker to strengthen shift leadership and day-to-day quality within our Wolverhampton service.
You will work directly with young people while also leading shifts, modelling best practice, and ensuring the team delivers consistent, safe, outcome-focused support. You will help maintain strong safeguarding standards, high-quality recording, structured routines, and a stable home environment.
This is a role where your consistency, boundaries, and leadership on shift can help a young person move from crisis and uncertainty to stability, confidence, and real-world independence.
This role is ideal for someone who is calm under pressure, clear with boundaries, and committed to high-quality practice.
Key ResponsibilitiesShift Leadership & Quality
* Lead shifts, ensuring the service runs safely, smoothly and in line with policies, Ofsted expectations and business needs.
* Provide guidance and direction to Support Workers on shift, modelling professional boundaries and trauma-informed practice.
* Ensure daily routines, staff tasks and outcomes work are completed to a high standard.
* Support the induction and development of staff through positive role modelling, coaching and day-to-day guidance.
Safeguarding, Risk & Incident Management
* Maintain a safe and nurturing environment, implementing risk management plans and responding appropriately to safeguarding concerns.
* Ensure concerns are recorded and escalated promptly and accurately in line with policy and procedure.
* Coordinate shift responses to incidents, ensuring appropriate action, debrief and learning.
Direct Support & Independence
* Support young people to build independence skills: cooking, budgeting, shopping, routines, keeping their space clean and safe, and tenancy readiness.
* Deliver and contribute to structured key work, encouraging progress towards goals and outcomes.
* Promote positive routines that reduce crisis and increase stability and engagement.
Health, Wellbeing & Access to Services
* Support young people to register with essential services such as GP, dentist and opticians (and other relevant health services).
* Support young people to attend appointments where required, while building confidence and independence so they can progressively book and attend appointments independently.
Multi-Agency Working & Communication
* Work collaboratively with professionals (social workers, education providers, health services and others) to ensure coordinated and consistent support.
* Communicate effectively with managers and the wider team, contributing to handovers, planning and problem-solving.
Recording & Professional Standards
* Maintain and oversee high-quality, factual and timely recording (daily notes, incidents, safeguarding, progress updates).
* Ensure documentation is professional, outcomes-focused and reflects the service standards required in an Ofsted-regulated environment.
Practice Expectations: The Eight Key Principles
As a Support Worker at New Leaf, you will be expected to work in a way that promotes the following Eight Key Principles outlined by the National Children's Bureau:
* Ensure that young people feel safe and secure where they live and in their wider environment.
* Young people's voice is respected, heard and advocated for so that they can influence the support they receive.
* Ensure that young people have confidence that the adults who support them understand them by having the right skills and working effectively together to best meet the young people's needs.
* Provide and respect young people's own space so that they feel proud of and live in a comfortable, well-maintained and stable accommodation.
* Provide high-quality, tailored support that sustains the young person's health and well-being.
* Foster strong, trusting and meaningful relationships with young people.
* Support young people to learn and apply skills for independent adult living.
* Ensure young people feel positive about their future and opportunities as a result of the support provided.
What We're Looking For
Essential
* Minimum 24 months' experience working with young people (or within a relevant support setting), with evidence of taking on additional responsibility and leading practice on shift.
* Level 3 Diploma in Children and Young People (or equivalent).
* Willingness to work towards a Level 4 or Level 5 qualification (Leadership/Management or relevant equivalent) as part of ongoing development.
* Ability to work a rota including mornings, afternoons, evenings, weekends, bank holidays, long shifts and regular sleep-ins (as required by service need).
* Strong understanding of safeguarding, professional boundaries, risk management and person-centred support.
* Confidence to guide and support staff on shift, maintain standards, and address issues appropriately and professionally.
* Strong IT skills and confidence using computers (accurate, timely digital recording, email and online systems are essential).
* Enhanced DBS and satisfactory references.
What We Offer
* Comprehensive induction and ongoing training
* Performance-related yearly increments
* Career progression opportunities within a supportive team
* A service with clear expectations, strong safeguarding practice and meaningful outcomes
* Work that is purposeful, measurable and genuinely life-changing
Apply Now
If you are an experienced practitioner who can lead shifts confidently, maintain high standards, and support young people to build safer and more independent futures, apply to join New Leaf.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: Up to £13.82 per hour
Expected hours: 24 – 48 per week
Benefits:
* Casual dress
* Free parking
* On-site parking
* Referral programme
Ability to commute/relocate:
* Wolverhampton WV14: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)
Application question(s):
* Do you have a level 3 in Children and Young People?
* Are you committed to working full time/as per rota/service need?
* Can you provide references, including contact details for previous employers, for all roles in which you worked with vulnerable individuals?
Education:
* Diploma of Higher Education (required)
Experience:
* Support Worker for Young People: 2 years (required)
Language:
* English (required)
Licence/Certification:
* Clean Driving Licence (required)
Work authorisation:
* United Kingdom (required)
Work Location: In person