At a Glance
- Tasks: Support young care leavers in their journey to independence through practical and emotional guidance.
- Company: Join a forward-thinking local authority dedicated to improving young lives.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, shift allowance, ongoing training, and a supportive team environment.
- Other info: Flexible working hours and opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of young people while shaping an exciting new service.
- Qualifications: Experience with young people in care and relevant NVQ Level 3 qualification preferred.
Position reference: 50145736
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.
The successful candidate will be required to speak English to an appropriate standard. This post requires an Enhanced DBS Check.
If you are currently living overseas or have lived overseas in the last five years, please be aware that if you are the preferred candidate for the post, you will be required to apply for an overseas criminal records check from the country/countries you have resided in. If you experience difficulty in obtaining an overseas criminal record check, please email dbs@barnsley.gov.uk.
When applying, please ensure you are prepared to start work with all the necessary legal documents, such as a valid visa, relevant to the type of work you will be undertaking. Please be aware that our organisation does not possess a Home Office license and, as a result, is unable to provide sponsorship for anyone seeking a visa as a skilled or temporary migrant worker.
Pensions Regulations have provisions to reduce pension payments in certain circumstances for those who return to work within local government service. If you are in receipt of a pension upon commencing employment with the authority, this may affect your pension entitlements and you should therefore seek advice from the relevant Pensions Authority.
About the Post:
Would you like to be part of something innovative and special? Are you a skilled and passionate practitioner with a commitment to improving the lives of care-experienced young people who are ready to take their next steps towards independence? Would you like to be part of a brand new team who will shape the delivery of an exciting new service? If the answer is “yes”, we would love to hear from you!
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. Working out of a newly and totally refurbished Victorian building in a highly desirable part of town close to transport links, Barnsley College and the Care Leaver Hub, there will be four fully furnished individual flats plus staff office, staff sleep-in room and large direct work area to support young people in their next step to independence. Young people with lived experience in care shaped this initiative, and we are looking for the right candidate(s) to deliver our vision.
You will play a vital role in helping young people transition towards independent living by providing structured, practical, and emotional support. Working as part of a dedicated team, you will support care-experienced young people to settle safely into their accommodation, develop the skills needed for independent living, and prepare for a future council tenancy. This is a rewarding role where you can make a real difference to young people’s lives.
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
We are looking for someone who:
- 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.
- CVs are not accepted for this role.
- Interviews will be held on Tuesday 21st July.
If you are passionate about supporting care leavers and helping young people build a positive future, we would love to hear from you.
Support Worker 16+ in Barnsley employer: Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council
Join a forward-thinking local authority dedicated to transforming the lives of care-experienced young people in Barnsley. As a Support Worker, you will benefit from a supportive team culture, ongoing professional development, and the opportunity to make a meaningful impact in a newly refurbished environment designed for independence. With flexible working arrangements and a commitment to inclusivity, this role offers a rewarding career path where your contributions truly matter.
Contact Details:
Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council Recruitment Team
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 Metropolitan Borough 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 Metropolitan Borough 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 Metropolitan Borough 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 Metropolitan Borough Council or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.
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 Metropolitan Borough Council:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Barnsley Metropolitan Borough 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 Metropolitan Borough 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.
