At a Glance
- Tasks: Support young people experiencing homelessness and help them achieve independence.
- Company: Keychange, a Christian charity focused on care and support.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, pension scheme, sick pay, and generous annual leave.
- Other info: Inclusive environment with ongoing training and flexible shifts.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in young people's lives while growing professionally.
- Qualifications: Experience in social care or support settings, especially with young people.
The predicted salary is between 16 - 25 £ per hour.
Keychange is a Christian charity delivering care, support, and personal development across nine sites in England. At Esther Community, we provide support for young people and women experiencing homelessness. We offer person-centred, trauma-informed support to help residents achieve independence. As part of our team, you'll work in a values-led, inclusive environment with opportunities for professional growth and meaningful work.
The Role
We are looking for a full-time support worker. You will be responsible for providing support for those who live with us. We provide housing for 16–25-year-olds, who all have their own story to tell and have their own individual support needs. We can have up to 19 of this age group at any one time. At Esther, we also provide housing for women 18+, which is a much smaller accommodation, comprising of 5 bedsits attached to the main building on St Davids Hill. Your role will be to support the young people, with minimal support to the women, as that is a separate project and has its own service manager.
As a support worker you will:
- Provide high quality, person-centred, and trauma-informed support to residents.
- Lead and coordinate support for allocated clients, assisting them in setting and achieving their goals.
- Ensure residents can access relevant services.
- Manage day-to-day operations, respond to emerging client issues, and handle incidents.
- Support clients in housing-related tasks, including benefit claims, moving on planning, and accessing community resources.
- Contribute to maintaining a high quality, safe and welcoming living environment.
- Handle administrative tasks, including record keeping, health and safety, and financial systems.
The contract is 32 hours a week and this will include weekends and occasionally nights (which are 10 hours waking nights). There will need to be some flexibility with this role, but you will know your shifts at least 4 weeks in advance.
The Right Person
You will have experience working in a social care/support setting, specifically with young people or have some knowledge around housing and homelessness issues. We are looking for someone who has a friendly personality, can work as part of a team, as well as under your own initiative. We endeavour to provide the highest level of support within a homely setting. Alongside this, we are looking for someone who is great at communicating, has an abundance of empathy and compassion, and who has a positive, can-do attitude, who can inspire and encourage others. We take pride in our community and the support we deliver, and we are looking for someone who will ultimately share the same values as us. If you are the right person for us, we will be pleased to provide you with all the training you require to strive in your role. We are an inclusive organisation who is welcoming of all faiths and none.
Company benefits include:
- Company pension
- Free parking
- Sick pay
Ability to commute/relocate: Exeter EX4 3RQ: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)
Experience: Supporting young people: 2 years (required)
Support Worker With Homeless Young People - Esther Community (Keychange) employer: Devon County Council
Devon County Council is an excellent employer for those looking to kickstart their teaching career in North Devon. With a strong commitment to employee development, the role of Cover Supervisor offers valuable training opportunities and the chance to make a significant impact on students' lives in a supportive and engaging work culture. Enjoy the benefits of working in a community-focused environment that values education and personal growth.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Support Worker With Homeless Young People - Esther Community (Keychange)
✨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 Devon County 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 Devon County 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 Devon County 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 Devon County 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 With Homeless Young People - Esther Community (Keychange)
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 Devon County Council:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Devon County 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 Devon County 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.
