Part-time Support Worker

South West based charitable housing association BCHA was founded over 50 years ago with a continuing mission to meet housing need and end homelessness. We aim to achieve this through the building and provision of affordable and secure homes, and by supporting individuals to take control and lead independent, fulfilled lives. Whether we are developing sites or supporting people with housing, learning or living skills, we believe in equality, the importance of every individual and the right to be valued and treated with dignity and respect. Our doors are open to everyone.

**Position**:
Are you empathetic, motivated and solution-focussed? Would you like to inspire and make a positive impact on a young person's life?

We are recruiting for Support Workers to work with our young people in Christchurch aged 18-24 years old on their journey to independence developing and utilising skills to encourage and support change, develop positive mindsets, build confidence and aspirational thinking. You will be part of a team covering a daily rota. We work with individuals who have experienced life challenges such as family breakdown, drug use, mental health, domestic violence, exploitation. This varied role will involve providing 1:1 practical support and co-ordinating support for clients to develop Independent Living Skills, learn to navigate benefits, work and education systems, realise aspirations and formulate a way forward bringing out aspirations, strengths and abilities.

**Our support worker roles focus on the following areas**:

- Empowering individuals to make choices and be in control of their own lives
- Genuine future planning drawing on hopes, strengths, aspirations and goals
- Nurturing meaningful and positive relationships based on trust
- Mindfully promoting physical health and mental wellbeing
- Keeping people safe and building long term resilience
- Connection to digital and in person communities and networks

**So, what will you be doing?**
- Initiating meaningful engagement with individuals to successfully achieve their personal goals
- Working as part of a team to deliver a consistent quality of support
- Creating opportunities to build and extend relationships with external agencies
- Managing emergencies appropriately with the support of other colleagues, including the on-call manager
- Using your own initiative to develop creative solutions in response to the needs of individuals
- Create and deliver innovative, and fun approaches in which life learning is paramount to the personal development of the client.

You will be part of an organisation that is developing Psychologically Informed Environments (PIE) and Trauma Informed Care approaches.

**An opportunity that’s right for you**

You will be provided with a full induction and personal development plan, including core training such as safeguarding, first aid and health and safety, with an opportunity to attend other specialist training such as solution focused techniques and mental health awareness. We also employ people who do not have experience of working in our sector

We believe in developing each support worker’s strengths, skills and talents. There are opportunities to undertake formal qualifications and to progress and develop at BCHA. We have a 5-day week rota, and our staff enjoy our flexible / people orientated approach around encouraging a good home/ work life balance.

DBS checks are required for roles DBS checks are required for roles where you will be working with or have lone contact with Vulnerable Adults and Children.

BCHA is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults, and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment

**Requirements**:
22.5 hrs per week, across 7 day rota.