At a Glance
- Tasks: Support vulnerable young people in achieving independence and accessing education and employment.
- Company: Centrepoint, the UK's leading youth homelessness charity.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, 25 days annual leave, healthcare cash plan, and professional development.
- Other info: Join a diverse team committed to inclusion and positive outcomes for young people.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in young people's lives and help end youth homelessness by 2037.
- Qualifications: Passion for supporting young people and strong communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 25585 - 31239 £ per year.
Contract: 30 - 37.5 hours per week - Permanent
Salary: £25,585.00 - £31,239.00 per annum
Closing Date: 7th September 2026
Interviews will be held W/C 14th September 2026
Centrepoint, the UK’s leading youth homelessness charity, is looking for a Floating Support & Progression Officer to join our Highfield Terrace Team based in Barnsley.
About us
We help vulnerable young people by giving them the practical and emotional support they need to find a job and live independently. Centrepoint provides homeless young people with accommodation, health support and life skills in order to get them back into education, training and employment. We want to end youth homelessness by 2037. Together with our partners, we support over 16,000 young people each year.
Highfield Terrace is an Ofsted-registered, semi-independent supported accommodation service for young people aged 16 to 18, providing support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We are committed to creating a safe, supportive, and nurturing environment where young people can build confidence, develop self-worth, and gain the practical skills needed to thrive in adulthood.
Our dedicated team works alongside young people to help them achieve positive outcomes in independent living, education, training, and employment. Through tailored support and engaging opportunities, including our accredited in-house independent living programme, Lifewise, we empower young people to develop essential life skills, positive social networks, and greater independence.
At Highfield Terrace, we offer more than just accommodation. We provide a welcoming and inclusive home where young people are encouraged to grow, achieve their goals, and successfully transition into independent adult life.
We are currently seeking a Floating Support & Progression Officer to join our close-knit team. In this role, you’ll play a vital part in shaping a safe, welcoming, and high-quality environment alongside our young people.
About you
- Passionate about supporting young people to achieve their goals.
- Knowledge of the challenges affecting vulnerable and homeless young people.
- Able to build positive relationships and engage others with empathy and respect.
- Calm, resilient and confident in a fast-paced environment.
- Strong communication, organisation and record-keeping skills.
- Committed to safeguarding, inclusion and teamwork.
What you’ll be doing
- Build positive, trusting relationships with young people and act as their keyworker, supporting them to achieve their goals.
- Develop and deliver personalised support and risk management plans that help young people progress towards independent living.
- Support young people to access education, training, employment, volunteering and apprenticeship opportunities.
- Help young people develop essential life skills, including budgeting, managing finances and maintaining their accommodation.
- Advocate for young people and connect them with Centrepoint services and external support agencies.
- Work collaboratively with partner organisations, landlords and local services to achieve positive outcomes for young people.
- Maintain high standards of safeguarding, wellbeing and risk management at all times.
- Keep accurate case records and contribute to a psychologically informed, person-centred support environment.
Applicants for this role will be expected to work on a rota, which includes early and late shifts as well as weekends.
Why join Centrepoint?
In return for your efforts you’ll receive a competitive salary, excellent training and development, and a host of staff benefits including:
- 25 days of annual leave per year, rising by one day per year to a maximum of 27 days
- Healthcare cash plan (Cover the costs of a wide range of medical treatment including Dental, Optical, Complementary and Alternative therapies).
- Private Medical insurance
- Income protection
- Employer pension contributions of 5%
- Access to Cycle 2 Work loan scheme
- An interest-free travel loan
At Centrepoint we challenge the discrimination within society that contributes to youth homelessness, and we are just as committed to fairness and equality within Centrepoint itself. We are passionate about ensuring all of our colleagues are made to feel included in the work we do and that we value the rich diversity within the organization.
We are an equal opportunities employer and we welcome applications regardless of sex, gender, race, age, belief in any religion and none, gender identity, ethnic origin, class, sexuality, nationality, appearance, unrelated criminal activities, disability, responsibility for dependents, part time or shift workers, being HIV positive or living with AIDS, lived experience of homelessness or using young people’s services and any other matter which causes a person to be treated with injustice.
Centrepoint’s policy is to recruit, employ and promote people on the basis of their suitability for the work to be performed, and to this end, our aim is to ensure that all applicants, employees and volunteers receive equal treatment.
Floating Support & Progression Officer in Barnsley employer: Centrepoint
Centrepoint is an exceptional employer dedicated to ending youth homelessness and supporting vulnerable young people in Barnsley. With a strong focus on employee development, we offer comprehensive training, a competitive salary, and generous benefits including annual leave that increases with service, healthcare cash plans, and private medical insurance. Our inclusive work culture fosters collaboration and respect, ensuring that every team member feels valued and empowered to make a meaningful impact in the lives of young people.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Floating Support & Progression Officer 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 Centrepoint.
✨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 Centrepoint!
✨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 Centrepoint, 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 Centrepoint 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 Floating Support & Progression Officer 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 Centrepoint:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Centrepoint! 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 Centrepoint
✨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.
