At a Glance
- Tasks: Support children and young people with diverse needs in their homes and communities.
- Company: Family-run organisation dedicated to providing meaningful support to children.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, paid leave, pension, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Flexible hours with a structured progression route in a growing team.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of children while building lasting relationships.
- Qualifications: Experience with children with additional needs and a Level 3 qualification preferred.
The predicted salary is between 32175 - 32175 £ per year.
Location: Community-based roles across Dorset
Salary: Up to £32,175 per annum, full-time equivalent
Contracts available: 16, 20, 25, 30 or 37.5 hours per week
Contract type: Full time or Part time
Essential: Full UK driving licence and access to a reliable vehicle
Freedom Care is recruiting Specialist Support Workers to join our growing permanent team across Dorset. We are a family-run, CQC-regulated organisation providing relationship-based support, respite and short breaks to children and young people, including autistic children, children with learning disabilities and those with additional support needs. This is a permanent role with guaranteed contracted hours. It is not an agency or zero-hour position.
The full-time equivalent salary is £32,175 per annum, based on 37.5 hours per week:
- 16 hours – £13,728 per annum
- 20 hours – £17,160 per annum
- 25 hours – £21,450 per annum
- 30 hours – £25,740 per annum
- 37.5 hours – £32,175 per annum
Employees also receive paid annual leave and access to a workplace pension.
About the role:
You will provide consistent, person-centred support to children and young people in their homes and local communities. The role may include:
- Providing respite, short breaks and community-based support
- Supporting communication, emotional regulation, confidence and independence
- Helping children access activities and opportunities that are meaningful to them
- Following individual support plans, risk assessments and agreed strategies
- Completing clear records and communicating with families and managers
You will usually work with a small number of children and families as part of a consistent team. Our relationship-first approach means we aim to match staff carefully and build stable, trusted support arrangements.
Working pattern:
Our services operate across seven days, generally between 8:00am and 8:00pm. You will not work these full hours every day or work seven days in a row, but you must be able to offer flexibility across mornings, afternoons, evenings and weekends. Working patterns will be planned around your contracted hours, agreed availability and the needs of the children and families you support.
Travel requirements:
As this is a community-based role, you must:
- Hold a full UK driving licence
- Have access to a reliable vehicle
- Willingness to travel
- Have business-use motor insurance
Authorised business mileage is paid in accordance with Freedom Care’s mileage policy.
What we are looking for:
We are particularly interested in applicants who have:
- Experience supporting autistic children or children with learning disabilities, SEN or SEND
- A Level 3 qualification in Health and Social Care, Children and Young People, or a related subject
- A calm, dependable and relationship-focused approach
- Good communication, observation and record-writing skills
- The flexibility to work some evenings and weekends
Applicants without a Level 3 qualification may still be considered where they have strong relevant experience and a willingness to develop.
What Freedom Care offers:
- Permanent contracted hours with part-time and full-time options
- Paid annual leave, workplace pension and qualifying mileage payments
- Regular supervision, specialist training and ongoing professional development
- Consistent work with a small number of children and families
- A structured progression route into senior support, supervision, case management and coordination roles
- The opportunity to grow within a rapidly expanding family-run organisation
Child and Youth Support Worker – Weymouth employer: Freedomcaregroup
Freedom is an exceptional employer that values creativity and positivity in its workforce, offering a supportive environment for Youth Support Workers. With great pay rates, travel reimbursement, and the flexibility of a zero hours contract, employees can balance their work with personal commitments while engaging in meaningful activities that foster relationship building and personal growth for young people. The company prioritises extensive training and development opportunities, ensuring that staff are well-equipped to make a positive impact in the lives of those they support.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Child and Youth Support Worker – Weymouth
✨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 Freedomcaregroup.
✨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 Freedomcaregroup!
✨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 Freedomcaregroup, 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 Freedomcaregroup 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 Child and Youth Support Worker – Weymouth
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 Freedomcaregroup:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Freedomcaregroup! 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 Freedomcaregroup
✨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.
