At a Glance
- Tasks: Support vulnerable customers with practical and emotional needs while managing a small caseload.
- Company: Riverside is a housing association dedicated to enhancing lives and revitalising communities for 90 years.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, generous holidays, flexible working, and investment in your personal development.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in people's lives while working in a diverse and inclusive environment.
- Qualifications: Recent experience in support work and risk management with vulnerable groups is essential.
- Other info: Guaranteed interviews for applicants with disabilities who meet minimum role requirements.
The predicted salary is between 29635 - 30551 £ per year.
Contract Type: Permanent
Salary: £29,635.83 plus £4000 London Allowance per annum (£30,551.56 per annum is achieved after 18 months successful performance in the role)
Working Hours: Full time 37.5 hours per week
Working Pattern: Shift work (10:00 - 18:00/11:00 - 19:00) (Will be expected to work every other weekend)
Location: Acre Lane, Brixton, London
If you share our values and are excited about making a significant impact at Riverside, please ensure you attach a current CV and covering letter. At Riverside we recruit to potential not just on skills and experience, so we encourage you to apply even if you don't meet all the essential criteria on the job description.
The difference you will make as a Specialist Support Worker:
- You will work collaboratively as part of a team to deliver an outstanding service and a range of practical and emotional asset-based approaches to support.
- With a real focus on customer engagement and co-production within the service, you will link customers with external services to offer a comprehensive engagement offer tailored to their needs.
- The role will also include carrying a small caseload of our more complex customers ensuring high quality, asset-based support.
About you:
- Recent experience of support work, risk management and managing caseloads and working with vulnerable and diverse customer groups.
- Experience of working in challenging environments with the ability to plan, prioritise and organise tasks to achieve results.
Why Riverside?
At Riverside, we’re a housing association with a difference – enhancing the everyday for all our customers. For 90 years, we’ve been revitalising neighbourhoods and supporting communities by providing the homes they need to live full, fulfilling and rewarding lives. We have a portfolio of over 75,000 affordable residential and retirement homes across the UK. Our work ranges from homelessness services to social care, employment support to retirement living, and we need the best people on board to help us.
Working with us, you’ll enjoy:
- Competitive pay & generous pension
- 28 days holidays plus bank holidays
- Flexible working options available
- Investment in your learning, personal development and technology
- A wide range of benefits
Diversity and Inclusion at Riverside:
We are inclusive. At Riverside, we value diversity in all its forms. We foster a workplace where all individuals are respected, empowered, and heard. Our commitment to inclusivity drives our success and enriches the lives of our customers and colleagues. Riverside is a Disability Confident Employer and operates a Guaranteed Interview Scheme for any applicant who declares they have a disability. If the applicant meets the minimum requirements for the role (as set out in the role profile and/or person specification) they will be guaranteed an interview. Applications may close before the deadline, so please apply early to be considered.
Role Profile:
- As the Specialist Support Worker you will support the Service Manager with planning within the service, this could include delegating case management, or supporting the service to run effectively.
- Actively connect, engage, influence, and develop relationships with a range of local services and stakeholders to enable customers to access the full range of community resources and regularly update colleagues about how to access external services.
- Attend networking events, other support services and forums promoting our Psychologically Informed Framework and Trauma Informed ways of working.
- Understand local pathways and services to ensure there is a consistent, asset-based support approach for all customers.
- Produce reports and other written documentation as required to support service delivery.
- Work as part of a multi-disciplinary team, safeguarding all our customers.
- Develop, co-ordinate and deliver a ‘group-based activities’ programme for the service.
- Share specialist knowledge with colleagues and wider teams to ensure both customers and services are supported in line with latest best practice.
- Follow health & safety and safeguarding policies and procedures to ensure the overall safety and security of all customers.
- Keep accurate and timely records of specific activities.
Supporting colleagues:
- Support and provide guidance to team members around your specialism - this could include coaching, upskilling or mentoring other colleagues.
- Provide specialist advice for colleagues through structured guidance to meet targets in support planning, delivery, safeguarding, risk assessments or other interventions.
- Undertake initial and continuous assessment of needs, potential risks and goals and agree levels of support and actions.
Supporting customers:
We employ an asset-based approach including Psychologically Informed approaches and Trauma Informed Care principles to support our customers to develop new ways of thinking and to take steps towards independence, you will be key in delivering this approach to customers.
You will:
- Lead on co-produced, bespoke customer support and move-on plans, involving all key stakeholders (e.g. family, other support providers).
- Complete regular reviews of support and risk assessments for customers.
- Identify and promote opportunities for and support customers to gain appropriate...
Specialist Support Officer employer: Riverside Group
Contact Detail:
Riverside Group Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Specialist Support Officer
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with Riverside's values and mission. Understanding their commitment to diversity, inclusion, and community support will help you align your approach during interviews and discussions.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the social care sector, especially those who have experience in support work or housing associations. Attend relevant events or forums to build connections that could provide insights or referrals.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss specific examples from your past experiences that demonstrate your ability to manage caseloads and work with vulnerable groups. Highlight any challenging situations you've navigated successfully.
✨Tip Number 4
Research local services and community resources that Riverside collaborates with. Being knowledgeable about these can show your proactive approach and readiness to engage with external stakeholders effectively.
We think you need these skills to ace Specialist Support Officer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in support work, risk management, and working with vulnerable groups. Use specific examples that demonstrate your ability to manage caseloads and work in challenging environments.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for the role and how your values align with those of Riverside. Mention your experience with asset-based approaches and customer engagement, and explain why you are excited about making an impact in this position.
Showcase Relevant Skills: Highlight skills that are essential for the Specialist Support Worker role, such as teamwork, communication, and the ability to plan and organise tasks effectively. Provide examples of how you've used these skills in previous roles.
Proofread Your Application: Before submitting your application, carefully proofread both your CV and cover letter. Check for any spelling or grammatical errors, and ensure that all information is clear and concise. A polished application reflects your attention to detail.
How to prepare for a job interview at Riverside Group
✨Understand the Role
Make sure you thoroughly read the job description and understand the responsibilities of a Specialist Support Worker. Be prepared to discuss how your previous experience aligns with the role, especially in areas like risk management and working with vulnerable groups.
✨Showcase Your Teamwork Skills
Since the role involves working collaboratively within a multi-disciplinary team, be ready to share examples of how you've successfully worked in teams before. Highlight any experiences where you’ve engaged with external services or stakeholders.
✨Demonstrate Your Problem-Solving Abilities
Prepare to discuss specific challenges you've faced in previous roles and how you overcame them. This is particularly important as the job requires planning, prioritising, and organising tasks in challenging environments.
✨Emphasise Your Commitment to Inclusivity
Riverside values diversity and inclusion, so be sure to express your understanding of these principles. Share any relevant experiences that demonstrate your commitment to creating an inclusive environment for both colleagues and customers.