At a Glance
- Tasks: Support children and young people affected by trauma through creative and therapeutic activities.
- Company: Compassionate organisation dedicated to helping survivors of domestic abuse.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, 27 days annual leave, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Flexible working across East Sussex with a supportive team environment.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of children and young people while gaining valuable experience.
- Qualifications: Experience with children and understanding of trauma-informed practices required.
The predicted salary is between 28816 - 28816 £ per year.
An excellent opportunity for a compassionate Children and Young People Support Worker with experience supporting children affected by trauma, abuse or adverse childhood experiences.
This role is known internally as a Therapeutic Practitioner for Children & Young People. 2 Positions Available.
SALARY: £28,816 per annum + Benefits
JOB TYPE: Full-Time, Permanent
LOCATION: Two vacancies – one based in Bexhill and one covering Seaford, Crowborough and Eastbourne – travel is required across services throughout East Sussex
WORKING HOURS: 37 Hours per Week, Monday to Friday - Occasional evening or weekend work may be required
JOB OVERVIEW
A values-led organisation providing safe accommodation and specialist support for survivors of domestic abuse across East Sussex is looking for a compassionate, creative and reflective Children and Young People Support Worker to join its growing children’s team. Working across refuge services, you will build meaningful relationships with children and young people aged 0–18, providing therapeutic, practical and emotional support tailored to their individual needs. Using a trauma-informed and social pedagogical approach, you will create opportunities for children to play, express themselves, build confidence, develop resilience and build healthy relationships.
This is a varied and rewarding role where no two days are the same. One day you may be delivering a creative therapeutic activity with a young child, the next supporting a teenager with life skills, advocating with a school, or helping a family navigate a difficult transition. You will work flexibly across refuge accommodation throughout East Sussex. You will be part of a compassionate, reflective and supportive team committed to achieving the best possible outcomes for children and young people.
DUTIES
- Building Trusted Relationships: Develop safe, meaningful and supportive relationships with children and young people who have experienced domestic abuse
- Delivering Therapeutic Activities: Plan and deliver engaging one-to-one and group sessions using creative approaches such as play, art, sensory activities, music, journaling and therapeutic games
- Supporting Recovery and Wellbeing: Help children and young people develop emotional wellbeing, resilience, confidence, recovery and healthy development
- Promoting Healthy Relationships: Support children and young people to understand healthy relationships, consent, emotional regulation, boundaries and online safety
- Developing Life Skills: Support young people preparing for adulthood through life skills, education, confidence-building and career guidance
- Working with Families: Work alongside parents and carers to strengthen family relationships and promote children’s wellbeing
- Safeguarding and Record Keeping: Complete assessments, maintain accurate records and contribute to safeguarding plans in line with child protection procedures
- Partnership Working: Work closely with schools, social care, CAMHS, health professionals and other partner agencies to support positive outcomes
- Creating Safe Environments: Help create safe, nurturing and child-centred refuge environments where children feel heard, valued and supported
- Reflective Practice: Engage in regular supervision, protected reflection time and professional development to continually improve practice
CANDIDATE REQUIREMENTS
Essential
- Experience working directly with children and young people
- Experience supporting children affected by trauma, abuse or adverse childhood experiences
- A sound understanding of safeguarding and child protection
- Knowledge of child development and trauma-informed practice
- Ability to build trusting relationships with children, young people and families
- Confidence delivering one-to-one and group activities
- Excellent communication and organisational skills
- A reflective, compassionate and non-judgemental approach
- Ability to work flexibly across refuge accommodation throughout East Sussex
Desirable
- Experience supporting children with SEND
- Experience working within domestic abuse services
- Child IDVA or related qualification
- Full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle
BENEFITS
27 days annual leave per annum, plus
Children and Young People Support Worker (AWDO-P14898) in London employer: AWD Online
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StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Children and Young People Support Worker (AWDO-P14898) in London
✨Dive into Local Community Groups
Social work thrives on community connections, so get involved in local groups or forums specific to your interests. Whether it’s volunteering at local shelters or joining community action boards, these are great ways to boost your visibility and make direct contacts that could lead to opportunities like the one at AWD Online.
✨Attend Social Work Events and Workshops
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences in social work. These events are fantastic for meeting professionals in the field, learning about emerging trends, and spotting job openings. Plus, you might just bump into someone from AWD Online!
✨Showcase Your Passion and Expertise
Use platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn to share your journey and insights into the social work sector. Whether it’s writing about your experiences or sharing relevant articles, this helps to establish you as an engaged professional. Potential employers, like AWD Online, will notice your enthusiasm!
✨Leverage Your Network
Don’t hesitate to reach out to professors, mentors, or even past colleagues who are in social work. They might have inside knowledge about openings at AWD Online or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.
We think you need these skills to ace Children and Young People Support Worker (AWDO-P14898) in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let us see your passion for social work shine through! Talk about the experiences that made you want to pursue this career—whether it’s volunteering, personal experiences, or academic projects. We want to know why this field matters to you.
Emphasise Relevant Qualifications:Make sure your CV highlights any relevant qualifications, like degrees in social work or certifications like a DBS check. If you've done any workshops or training, don’t forget to include those as well. We're keen to see your commitment to your professional development!
Detail Your Experience with Clients:Since this is a hands-on field, detailing any direct experience you have with clients is crucial. Whether it's internships, volunteer roles, or previous jobs, highlight those experiences in your CV to show us you've got the practical skills necessary for the job!
Tailor Your Application to AWD Online:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to AWD Online! Research our mission and values, and refer to them in your cover letter. This shows us that you understand our work and are genuinely interested in being a part of our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at AWD Online
✨Understanding the Role of Empathy
In social work, understanding and demonstrating empathy is key. Be prepared to share personal experiences or scenarios where you effectively showed compassion and support. This helps show that you genuinely care about the well-being of others, which is crucial in social work.
✨Demonstrating Knowledge of Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with the frameworks and models used in social work, such as the Strengths-Based Approach or the Ecological Perspective. Be ready to discuss how these frameworks apply to your work, especially if you can tie them into real-world examples or case studies you've encountered.
✨Showcasing Your Multi-Disciplinary Skills
In a full-time social work role, you'll often collaborate with healthcare professionals, educators, and law enforcement. Be prepared to describe your teamwork experiences and how you've effectively communicated with other disciplines to achieve the best outcomes for clients.
✨Preparing for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical social work situations, such as dealing with a crisis or managing a complex case. Think through your thought process for these scenarios beforehand, considering how you'd assess the situation and what steps you'd take, as this demonstrates your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
