YOUTH SUPPORT WORKER

LOCATION:         Ebberns Road, Hemel Hempstead

SALARY:             £25,350  or £10,140              

HOURS:            Full-Time 37.5 pw/ Part-time 15 pw

About Us

Hightown is a charitable housing association operating principally in Hertfordshire, Berkshire and Buckinghamshire. We believe everyone should have a home and the support they need, so our aim is to build new homes and to provide excellent housing and support.

We currently manage over 8,000 homes and employ over 1,000 full and part time staff from our head office in Hemel Hempstead. We have an annual turnover of £120 million and a development programme that will deliver over 400 new affordable homes each year.

About the role

The young people’s supported housing services are a dedicated team committed to providing supporting and empowering environments for young people aged 16 – 18 years who are under the care of the Local Authority. Our approach is rooted in the principles of psychologically informed environments (PIE), ensuring that our services are tailored to meet the psychological and emotional needs of those we support.  We believe in creating safe, welcoming spaces that foster growth, resilience and positive change, whilst adhering to Ofsted regulations.

We are seeking a compassionate and dynamic support worker to join our team.  In this role you will provide flexible and responsive support to the young people, adapting to their individual needs and circumstances.  Your work will be guided by the principles of PIE, ensuring that all interactions are trauma-informed and empathetic.

Key responsibilities:

• Provide one to one and group support to young people, helping them achieve their personal goals and improve their well-being.
• Build trusting and respectful relationships with young people, understanding their unique backgrounds and challenges.
• Collaborate with colleagues and external agencies to deliver a coordinated and holistic support plan.
• Where required support young people to attend appointments both in house & externally.
• Conduct assessments and develop individualised support plans in partnership with young people.
• Promote a safe, inclusive and PIE across all service settings.
• Ability to work on a 4 week rolling rota, covering a mixture of 7am-3pm & 2pm-10pm shifts, including weekends.
• Facilitate activities and interventions that support personal development, resilience and social inclusion.
• Maintain accurate and up to date records of support provided and progress made.
• Participate in regular training and supervision to enhance skills and knowledge related to PIE.
• Ensure that all practices and services meet Ofsted regulations and standards, maintaining the highest levels of safeguarding and quality support.

Qualifications and experience:

• Qualified to NVQ Level 3 in Children & Young People/equivalent or willing to work towards achieving the qualifications within the work place.

• Experience working with young people, particularly those facing complex challenges such as family breakdown, challenging behaviour, complex mental health issues or substance misuse.
• Understanding and commitments to the principles of psychologically informed environments (PIE).
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to adapt communication to the individual needs of the young person with the ability to engage and motivate.
• Flexibility and adaptability to work across different locations within the community and respond to varying needs.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Commitment to continuous professional development and reflective practice.
• Applicant must be car driver with use of car. Please note that business car insurance is mandatory.
• Knowledge of or willingness to understand Ofsted regulations and standards, with experience in ensuring compliance in a youth support setting.

Safer recruitment requirements:

• All applicants must complete a detailed application form, providing a full employment history and explaining any gaps in employments.
• Applicants will be required to provide at least two professional references, including one from their most recent employer, which will be checked before any offer of employment is made.
• A rigorous interview process will be conducted, which could include scenario-based questions to assess suitability for working with young people in a PIE environment & second stage interviews with our ‘Voicebox’ team, which includes current service users from various schemes.  
• All successful candidates will be required to undergo an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service DBS check prior to starting employment. There is a requirement that all employees register on the Update Service. Full costs will be reimbursed. Update Service and other DBS online services - (url removed) (www.(url removed))
• Verification of qualifications and professional memberships will be conducted.
• Proof of identity and right to work in the UK must be provided.
• Successful candidates must complete a probationary period during which their performance and suitability for the role will be closely monitored.

Benefits:

Competitive salary

Competitive mileage allowance

Supportive and inclusive working environment

Chance to make a meaningful impact in the lives of young people

Generous annual leave allowance of 33 days per year, including statutory bank holidays, rising to 35 days with service pro rota

£25,350pa for a 37.5 hour a week contract. Sleep in shifts paid as over-time and not included in the 37.5 hour contract.

Annual bonus based on satisfactory performanceMonthly attendance bonus on top of your basic salary

Annual salary and cost of living review

Commitment to health and wellbeing with the Five Ways to Wellbeing

Opportunity for professional development and training to deliver outstanding support

Workplace pension scheme and life assurance of three times your annual salary

Refer-a-friend scheme: Earn a £130 bonus for each friend you refer to work for us

Access to the Employee assistance helpline

Opportunity for overtime

Closing Date: Sunday 20th October 2024

Interview Date: Monday 28th October 2024

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We are an Equal Opportunities & Disability Confident Employer.