Senior Support Worker

An exciting opportunity has arisen to join Focus Futures UK as a Senior Supported Accommodation Keyworker/Mentor for care experienced young people aged 16-18-year-olds who are preparing to leave care. Feedback from young people previously in care is a fundamentalpart of our service development which has highlighted the need for support with mental health, housing, finance, employment, education and training. You will plan and lead shifts alongside an experienced and ambitious team who are focussed on continuous improvementand providing outstanding placements for those children who need them.

You will receive:

- A generous salary. The position is full time, 37 hours per week.
- Competitive annual leave allowance
- Pension scheme and access to employee assistance program
- Regular support and consultation.
- Opportunities to organically grow the company

You will be responsible for:

- Planning for and leading shifts and shift handovers, ensuring that the shift is managed efficiently and effectively to a high standard and young people are safeguarded at all times.
- Leading a team creating a homely environment for the young people in our care, taking into account their views, wishes and feelings.
- Oversight of Support Workers/Mentors within the team, modelling professional behaviour and standards at all times in accordance with company policy.
- Ensuring compliance with the Company’s Safeguarding Policies and Procedures.
- Having an up to date knowledge of the Statement of Purpose, Policy and Procedures, all relevant legislation and be able to impart this knowledge to your staff and to promote best practice and maintain confidentiality.
- Supporting effective multi agency working and positive relationships with all staff, the local community, local authorities, other professional agencies and significant others who are part of a young person’s life.
- Ensuring all children are effectively safeguarded in accordance with all relevant policies and procedures
- Implementing effective approaches to improve outcomes for young people aligned to their needs as identified in their pathway plans
- Acting as liaison between all key support staff who are working with young people offering advice, guidance and signposting as required.
- Being able to refer young people to appropriate services with your professional opinion considering the most effective team/services.
- Supporting the group of young people, providing 1:1 and weekly groupwork sessions.
- You will also need to be available for rota duty to provide support to young people during the weekends. This will be applied on a shift pattern basis.

Essential criteria:

- Up to date knowledge of Child Care legislation and National Minimum Standards
- Good report writing and numeracy skills. Well organised with good administration skills. IT literate.
- Strong motivational, management and leadership potential. Able to supervise, support and develop Support Workers/Mentors to create a cohesive team.
- The desire to be a team player who wants to achieve best possible outcomes for all our children.
- Experience of working with children/young people in social care.
- Knowledge and experience of child development and parenting capacity
- An understanding of trauma informed practice and how this impacts young people with care experience
- A willingness to work on a rota basis evenings and weekends with sleep-in duties
- Understanding of how anxiety and depression presents in young people
- A child care qualification or a commitment to complete one
- Experience and/or knowledge in the field of adolescence
- Have a valid driving licence.
- The right to work in the UK.