Woking
The Role:
The Support Worker increases the independence and skills of young people, promoting engagement with education and employment through flexible person centered outcome focused support The role holder helps young people to avoid eviction and repeat homelessness. They also develop the capacity of young people to be able to move on to either less intensive housing related support services or more permanent, independent, accommodation at the earliest appropriate opportunity The role will involve working closely with community mental health teams, social and private landlords, the police, probation, Youth Offending Teams , the courts, the Department of Work and Pensions, the voluntary sector, local housing authorities, education and training agencies and children’s/adult social care. The post holder will work within the Psychological Informed Environments Framework and ensure all clients can make sustained changes to their lives. Equal Opportunities
All young people are equally entitled to have their needs met in a fair and balanced way. Team Leaders are responsible for promoting equal opportunities for all and for challenging any behaviour or practice which discriminates against any young person or colleague on the grounds of race, religion, disability, age, gender, sexual orientation or any other perceived difference. Essential Requirements
The ideal Young Persons Support Worker will:
Meet young peoples wishes.
An understanding of the needs and issues of homeless, vulnerable young people.
Knowledge of Homelessness legislation, and welfare benefits/welfare reform
Knowledge of Safeguarding for Children and Adults.
Experience of problem solving and handling difficult situations, using initiative.
Experience of risk management, needs led assessment and support planning
Knowledge of diversity and inclusion.
Skilled at IT including excel, power point, publisher, word, face book and other forms of social media.
Supporting and motivating young people into Employment, Training, and Education and maintain their accommodation to prevent eviction.
Able to work shifts including evenings, weekends, sleeping nights, waking nights and able to change hours if required. Prepared to work across other services in the cluster if required
Able to stay on in an emergency.
Working from the guidelines from the 1989 Children’s Act, National Minimum Standards, Every Child Matters and any other relevant legislation.
To provide a caring, supportive and nurturing environment in which children/young people can feel secure and free from harm.
Establishing positive relationships with young people and always offering them unconditional and positive regard.
Helping young people gain self control by challenging unacceptable behaviour and rewarding acceptable, pro-social conduct.
Ensuring that each young person’s Support plan is followed and amended as appropriate to reflect their changing needs
Attending to practical matters in relation to childcare (cooking, cleaning, general maintenance around the home etc)
To act as a key worker or co worker for a young person to ensure that the young person’s Support plans are up to date and that all their support needs are being met.
Providing advice, assistance and support on a 1:1 basis to enable young people to address past and present difficulties
Providing emotional support at times of difficulty or stress.
Facilitate group work and group discussion where needed. About You
You will be experienced, skilled and enthusiastic in working with young people.
You will be used to working in a fast-paced environment.
You will be passionate about working with Young People
You will be person centred at all times and ensure empowerment is at the heart of everything you do.
You will strive for excellence in all you do.
You will be innovative in your approach to working with young people.
You will be able to keep accurate records and providing written reports on young people for planning meetings, reviews or any other meetings as directed by the line manager. To work as part of a team
· Being aware of the aims and objectives of the home and working collaboratively with colleagues to achieve them
· Attending team/ staff meetings and making a positive contribution to them
· Actively contributing to the development of the team
· Receiving and storing information to improve communication
· Being willing to give and receive feedback on performance with colleagues and managers
· Providing informal practical and emotional support to colleagues experiencing difficulties
· Attending and contributing to regular supervision sessions in line with the National Minimum Standards
· Monitoring the conduct of colleagues and referring on any causes for concern (Whistleblowing)
· Being familiar with all policies and procedures and adhering to them General Responsibilities
· Attending young people’s meetings and contributing to them
· Driving company vehicles (current driving licence holders subject to procedures)
· Receiving training appropriate to the role and maintaining an up to date training profile
· Responsibility for the accurate maintenance of financial records appropriate to the duties of the post
· Responsibility for the health, safety and welfare of self and colleagues in accordance with the requirements of the organisational Health and Safety Policies
· Maintaining the upkeep of the house through general cleaning of communal areas.
· Cooking nutritiously balanced meals each time you are on shift for the young people. Qualifications:
· NVQ Level 3 in Health and Social Care (working with young people) or equivalent. Special Conditions
· This post requires the holder to do varying shifts.
· The post holder also is required to work weekends as part of a rota and Bank Holidays when required. Sleeping-in duties are also required for which an additional payment is made.
· On occasions you may be requested to change your rota at a given notice as per your contract, to ensure the contingencies of the service are covered. This may also include covering an additional sleep-in duty as an emergency measure.
· In accordance with the guidelines on Health and Safety, to accept responsibility for working within these guidelines and reporting any concerns to the Manager.
· To undertake such other duties appropriate to the grade of the post and the needs of the Home such as decorating, gardening in order to develop and maintain service delivery.
· This post requires the holder to have a Enhanced Criminal Records Bureau check at all times Changes to personal circumstances which may effect you remaining in the role.
