At a Glance
- Tasks: Support young care leavers in their journey to independence and emotional wellbeing.
- Company: Inclusive local authority dedicated to making a difference in young people's lives.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, ongoing training, and a supportive team environment.
- Other info: Flexible working hours and opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a genuine impact on young people's futures while developing your skills.
- Qualifications: Experience with young people and relevant NVQ Level 3 qualification preferred.
The predicted salary is between 31537 - 34434 £ per year.
Overview
Position reference: . Directorate: Children's Services | Service: Children In Care. Salary: £31,537 - £34,434 pro rata plus 10% shift allowance and enhanced pay for weekend and night working. Working Arrangements: On Site. Hours per week: 37. Contract type: Permanent.
About The Post
We are looking for a committed and enthusiastic 16+ Support Worker to join our brand new Supported Accommodation service for 16-18 year old care leavers. The service operates from a newly refurbished building located in a highly desirable part of town with access to transport links, Barnsley College, and the Care Leaver Hub. The role involves supporting young people in their steps towards independence within four flats plus dedicated staff facilities.
Key Responsibilities
- Build positive, trusting relationships with young people that underpin all aspects of support
- Provide high-quality 1:1 and group support, promoting emotional wellbeing, health, and independence
- Support young people to engage in education, employment or training (ETE)
- Help young people understand their responsibilities as tenants, including home health and safety and positive neighbour relationships
- Deliver independence and life-skills sessions as part of the Tenancy Ready Programme
- Work in partnership with social workers, personal advisers, and other partner agencies
- Contribute to assessments, support plans, reviews, and multi-agency meetings
- Maintain accurate and timely records in line with policies and good practice
- Identify, assess, and respond to risks, safeguarding concerns, and vulnerabilities
- Participate in a rota covering evenings, weekends and sleep-in duties as required
About You
- Has experience working with young people in a social care or support setting, particularly care leavers or children in care
- Holds a relevant NVQ Level 3 qualification, or can demonstrate equivalent knowledge through substantial experience
- Has a good understanding of safeguarding, child development, and the challenges faced by care-experienced young people
- Can work confidently with young people who may present needs such as substance misuse, disengagement from ETE, exploitation, or offending behaviour
- Is organised, reflective, and able to work both independently and as part of a team
- Has strong communication skills and is comfortable working with partner agencies
- Is flexible, resilient, and committed to delivering services in a non-discriminatory way
What We Offer
- A supportive team environment with regular supervision
- Ongoing training and professional development opportunities
- The chance to make a genuine, lasting impact on young people’s lives
- A role within an inclusive and values-driven local authority
Additional Information
- The role requires flexible working including unsocial hours and weekends
- Travel across the locality may be required to provide outreach support
- All appointments are subject to appropriate pre-employment checks
We welcome inquiries and are committed to creating a supportive recruitment process. CVs are not accepted for this role.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Support Worker 16+ in Barnsley
✨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 Barnsley Council.
✨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 Barnsley Council!
✨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 Barnsley Council, 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 Barnsley Council 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 Support Worker 16+ in Barnsley
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 Barnsley Council:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Barnsley Council! 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 Barnsley Council
✨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.
