Youth Worker

Job description
Position: Support Worker – Children in Care (16-18)

Location: Various

Hours: Casual

Salary expected: £33,384

Our Purpose

Providing Care is dedicated to supporting young people in care as well as separated migrant young people , particularly those aged 16-18, as they transition to independence. We recognise that leaving care is a critical phase in a young person’s life and such provide tailored services to meet individual needs. Our mission is to empower these young people by offering personalised support that evolves as they grow in confidence and ability to manage day to day challenges and integrate into society.

Our Approach: "Creativity is thinking up new things. Innovation is doing new things." - Theodore Levitt

At Providing Care, we pride ourselves on our innovative approach in everything we do. As a company, we lead by example, teaching our young people to never give up as there is always a solution. We apply this mentality in everything we do, but more importantly, in everything we want to do. Dreamers dream it, thinkers think it, We do it!

Your Purpose

As a Support Worker at Providing Care, you will play a crucial role in guiding young people aged 16-18 through the transition from care to independent living.

You will work closely with the young person, their social worker, and other allied professionals to deliver bespoke support based on their unique needs and as such you need to be able to follow directions and work collaboratively. This may include assisting with daily tasks, managing challenging behaviours, and providing emotional support. The role demands empathy, compassion, resilience, problem solving, respecting professional boundaries and a commitment to making a positive impact on the lives of vulnerable young people.

But most importantly, you need to have a passion for working and supporting young people on their transition journey from childhood and adulthood to independence.

Your Role (Duties and Responsibilities)
• Personalised Support:

Provide one-on-one support tailored to each young person’s needs, helping them develop life skills and confidence in their journey toward independence.

To assist young people to maintain constructive contact with their families, friends and other significant people, as identified in the young person’s Care Plan.
• Behavioural Management:

Work with young people who present behaviours that challenge, offering consistent support and implement strategies to promote positive change though encouragement, praise, rewards and role modelling.
• Collaboration:

Liaise with social workers, mental health professionals, and other relevant parties to ensure a coordinated approach to the young person's care.
• Daily Living Assistance:

Assist young people with daily tasks, including budgeting, cooking, cleaning, and managing their personal affairs.

Supporting young people to re-join the education system or take the first steps on their journey to employment.
• Emotional Support:

Offer a listening ear and emotional support to young people, helping them navigate the challenges of transitioning out of care.
• Boundary Setting:

Establish clear and firm boundaries to foster independence while ensuring the young person does not develop an over-reliance on the support worker.
• Record Keeping:

Maintain accurate records of interactions and progress, ensuring that all documentation is up to date and complies with relevant regulations.
• Crisis Intervention:

Be prepared to provide immediate support in crisis situations, working to de-escalate and manage challenging circumstances effectively.
• Safeguarding commitment and Compliance:

Reporting safeguarding concerns to senior staff within the organisation.

Following support plans and adhere to Risk Assessments to help young people to achieve their goals.

Contract Details
• Casual worker Contract:

This role is offered on a casual worker contract basis, providing flexibility to work as many hours as you are available. While there are no guaranteed minimum hours, we encourage a commitment of at least 2 shifts per week to ensure continuity of care and support for the young people. This arrangement allows you to manage your work-life balance effectively while contributing meaningfully to the team.
• Shift Patterns:

You will need to be flexible in working various shift patterns, including evenings, weekends, and Bank Holidays. Sleep-ins will also be required as part of the role to ensure continuous support for the young people in our care.

To be successful in this role these are the essentials you will need:

Qualifications, Experience and Abilities

Essential:
• Experience working with young people, particularly those with diverse and complex needs or challenging behaviours.
• Knowledge of the challenges faced by young people leaving care.
• Ability to build trust and rapport with young individuals.
• Knowledge of local community resources and services.
• Commitment to promoting equality, diversity, and inclusion.
• Strong communication (written and verbal) and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Ability to use your own initiative.
• Resilience and the ability to remain calm under pressure.
• IT capabilities

Desirable:
• Relevant qualifications in social care, youth work, or a related field.
• Experience working with mental health issues, self-harming behaviours and behaviours that challenge.
• Knowledge of the care system and transition processes for young people as well as safeguarding.
• Driver’s License: hold a full, valid UK driving license with business insurance coverage

Additional Requirements
• Age Requirement:

Some placements require a minimum age of 23 due to the Local Authority’s requirements to be at least five years older than the youngest child in care.
• Gender-Specific Roles:

Certain placements may require female or male-only support workers based on the needs and requirements of the young people in our care.

What We Offer:
• Competitive salary and benefits package.
• Birthday Day off
• Ongoing professional development and training opportunities.
• A supportive and inclusive working environment.
• Opportunities to make a real difference in the lives of young people.
• Shopping Discount Platform
• Possibility to complete QCF qualifications to become a qualified Youth and Community Worker.

Providing Care is committed to safeguarding, protection, and promoting the welfare of children. As part of our recruitment, selection, and appointment processes we conduct a range of vetting checks including Right to Work and Enhanced DBS checks, to ensure that only those who are suitable to work with children and vulnerable people are appointed.

All successful applicants must be willing to undergo safeguarding screening appropriate to the post, including checks with Disclosure Barring Service/Disclosure Scotland with a check against the “Barred children’s list” and at least 2 references that cover the period of at least the last 3 years of your employment as well as additional character references; for all our services we will request references from where you have worked with either Children or Vulnerable Adults.

It is a criminal offence for people who are barred from working in regulated activity (under the Safeguarding and Vulnerable Groups Act 2006) to apply for roles that require them to work unsupervised with that particular group (i.e. adults at risk, children, or both)

Equal Opportunities:

Providing Care is an equal-opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

All young people are equally entitled to have their needs met in a fair and balanced way. All team members are responsible for promoting equal opportunities for all, and for challenging any behaviour or practice that discriminates against any young person or colleague on the grounds of race, religion, disability, age, gender, sexual orientation, or any other perceived difference.

Job Types: Full-time, Part-time

Pay: From £33,384.00 per year

Benefits:
• Casual dress
• Company pension
• Employee discount
• Free parking
• Health wellbeing programme
• On-site parking
• Referral programme
• Store discount
• Work from home

Work Location: In person Read more