Youth Worker

**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 **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*