At a Glance
- Tasks: Empower young people to develop life skills and achieve independence in a supportive environment.
- Company: A dedicated charity tackling youth homelessness and promoting fairness.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working, 26 days leave, and tailored training.
- Other info: Join a passionate team with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of vulnerable young people every day.
- Qualifications: Empathy, strong communication skills, and a commitment to inclusion and fairness.
We are seeking a Young People Support Worker to join a very tight-knit and supportive team that works tirelessly to ensure some of the most vulnerable individuals in the borough are well-cared for.
Location: Durham
Salary: £24,136
Closing Date: 01 March, 2026
Employment Type: Permanent
Hours per week: 37.5
About the Role
You’ll play a vital part in delivering the charity’s mission: tackling homelessness, widening opportunity and championing fairness. Whatever your specialism, you’ll help create a safe, inclusive and empowering environment where people can thrive and move forward with confidence.
As a Young People Support Worker at the service in Durham, you’ll empower residents in supported accommodation to develop key life skills, strengthen resilience, and move forward with confidence in education, training, employment, and wellbeing. Using an assets based, psychologically informed approach, you’ll create SMART support plans, complete risk and needs assessments, and ensure every young person receives personalised, meaningful support.
As part of the team, you’ll respond to incidents, safeguard vulnerable clients and help new residents settle into the service. Working proactively with colleagues and external agencies, you’ll use clear communication, strong boundaries and steady problem solving to maintain safety and wellbeing throughout the night.
Please note that access to transport is essential due to location of the projects and lack of public transport links.
In this role, you will:
- Provide safe, supportive accommodation and champion the wellbeing of every client.
- Deliver personalised support plans that empower individuals to achieve independence.
- Build positive, respectful relationships with colleagues, partners and the people supported.
- Encourage participation in education, training, employment, and volunteering opportunities.
- Contribute to a positive team culture and maintain a safe, welcoming environment.
- Commit to continuous learning and uphold the charity’s values of respect, inclusion, and action.
About You
You believe in people — their strengths, their rights and their potential. You bring empathy, energy and a solution focused mindset to your work. You communicate clearly, stay organised and adapt well in a fast moving environment. You’re committed to inclusion, fairness and continuous learning, and you turn values into meaningful action, whatever your role.
What You’ll Receive
- Tailored training and development
- Flexible working options where suitable
- 26 days annual leave, rising with service
- Family friendly leave policies
- Pension scheme with employer contributions up to 7%
- Employee Assistance Programme with 24/7 GP access
- Discounts across retail, travel, food, fitness and more
- Cash health plan for you and your family
- Death in service benefit
- Access to legal and practical support
Safer Recruitment
The charity is committed to fair and inclusive recruitment, and we welcome applications from people of all backgrounds. If a role requires it under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975, we will carry out the appropriate Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) check. We only look at information that is relevant to the role, and a criminal record will never be treated as an automatic barrier to employment. All DBS information is handled sensitively, confidentially and in line with the DBS Code of Practice, and we encourage applicants to discuss any concerns with us openly.
About The Organisation
In the 1980s, high unemployment and steep inflation was contributing to a shocking rise in youth homelessness across London. Thousands of young people were sleeping rough every night, with many areas notoriously dubbed “cardboard cities” due to the visible rise in street homelessness. Appalled by the scenes playing out across the capital, a group of people came together to tackle the challenge head on. Led by Cardinal Basil Hume and Mark McGreevy OBE, in 1989 the charity was born.
What began as a single housing project in North London soon expanded across London, Greater Manchester and the North East of England. Today, the charity provides accommodation, prevention and support services to thousands of marginalised young people across the UK each year.
Young People Support Worker in Durham employer: Depaul UK
Join a dedicated team in London as a Programme Officer and contribute to a meaningful cause aimed at ending homelessness. Our organisation fosters a collaborative work culture that values diversity and inclusivity, offering tailored training, flexible working options, and generous benefits including 26 days of annual leave and a robust pension scheme. With opportunities for personal and professional growth, you will be part of a global movement making a lasting impact on communities worldwide.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Young People Support Worker in Durham
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the sector, attend local events, and connect with professionals on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the charity's mission and values. Be ready to discuss how your skills align with their goals, especially around supporting vulnerable young people. Show them you’re not just a fit on paper but also in spirit!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your responses to common interview questions, but keep it natural. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers, especially when discussing past experiences related to support work.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after your interview! A quick thank-you email can leave a lasting impression and shows your enthusiasm for the role. Plus, it’s a great chance to reiterate why you’d be a perfect fit for their team.
We think you need these skills to ace Young People Support Worker in Durham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion:When writing your application, let your passion for supporting young people shine through. We want to see your commitment to making a difference in their lives, so share any relevant experiences or motivations that drive you.
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to reflect the specific requirements of the Young People Support Worker role. Highlight your skills in creating support plans and working with vulnerable individuals, as these are key to what we do at StudySmarter.
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your writing clear and to the point. Use straightforward language to describe your experiences and how they relate to the role. We appreciate well-structured applications that are easy to read and understand.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Depaul UK
✨Know the Mission
Before your interview, take some time to really understand the charity's mission and values. Familiarise yourself with their approach to tackling homelessness and empowering young people. This will not only help you answer questions more effectively but also show your genuine interest in the role.
✨Showcase Your Empathy
As a Young People Support Worker, empathy is key. Prepare examples from your past experiences where you've demonstrated understanding and support for vulnerable individuals. Be ready to discuss how you can apply this empathy in your new role to build positive relationships with clients.
✨Prepare SMART Support Plans
Since the role involves creating SMART support plans, think about how you would approach this task. Bring examples of how you've developed similar plans in the past or how you would tailor them to meet individual needs. This shows that you're proactive and ready to hit the ground running.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
Interviews are a two-way street, so prepare some thoughtful questions to ask your interviewers. Inquire about team dynamics, ongoing training opportunities, or how they measure success in supporting young people. This demonstrates your commitment to the role and helps you gauge if it's the right fit for you.
