At a Glance
- Tasks: Support care leavers in a welcoming environment, ensuring safety and providing emotional support.
- Company: Join Achieving for Children, a supportive organisation dedicated to empowering young people.
- Benefits: Enjoy 29 days annual leave, flexible working, and a competitive salary with great perks.
- Other info: Be part of a new team in a refurbished space, with excellent growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in young people's lives while developing your career in a rewarding role.
- Qualifications: Experience with vulnerable young people and relevant qualifications are essential.
The predicted salary is between 24000 - 30000 £ per year.
We are recruiting for a brand new housing team to support our care leavers moving into our in-house supported accommodation provision. The central Maidenhead location, which has been recently refurbished to a high specification, will accommodate 20 care leavers requiring step down provision before they move on into their more permanent housing. We will be operational from October 2026. This is a fantastic opportunity to be part of an expanding service that is already well established in Kingston.
We have a number of vacancies available for housing professionals who would like to join Achieving for Children and be part of this new team in Maidenhead providing a supportive environment that empowers our care leavers to reach their potential and prepare them for more independent living.
30 hours per week
About the role
You will be based within the Housing & Outreach Support Team (HOST) and you will be working at our new supported housing project in Maidenhead. You will be the first point of contact for our residents at night, providing a friendly and warm welcome.
Key responsibilities include:
- Ensuring the safety of our young people and the security of the building.
- Providing emotional support and a compassionate ear to our young people.
- Reception duties including taking telephone calls, handling mail, taking rent payments, guest management.
- Dealing with any noise complaints and reporting any safeguarding concerns.
- Being designated fire marshal and first aider ensuring first safety and evacuation processes are followed.
If you wish to have an informal discussion about this role please contact Paul Coates, Housing & Outreach Support Team Manager on paul.coates@achievingforchildren.org.uk
About you
We are looking for individuals who have previous experience delivering services to vulnerable young people within a housing setting and are educated to GCSE level with a relevant professional qualification in working with children or young people or supported housing.
- Be able to assess risk and generate solutions to problems, including effective mediation.
- Be committed to the protection and safeguarding of young people.
- Ability to identify and record any safeguarding issues.
- Ability to work unsociable hours including lone working.
- Ability to carry out cleaning tasks and Health & Safety checks.
About our benefits
We are focused on creating a positive supportive environment, where you will have access to a really wide range of resources, as well as a competitive salary and all the perks to enable hybrid working. In AfC you will also have access to:
- 29 days annual leave, increasing to 33 days after 2 years and 35 days after 4 years with an additional day off in your birthday month (Or for term-time workers, your leave entitlement consists of the non-working periods in your contract).
- Tailored induction sessions commencing on the date you start working for AfC.
- Local Government salary and pension scheme (LGPS or Teachers Pension).
- Flexible working options - helping to keep a good work life balance.
- A comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme.
- A range of staff benefits and discounts.
- An excellent learning and development offer to support your career pathway.
Waking Night Support Worker in Maidenhead employer: Homeless Link
Achieving for Children is an exceptional employer dedicated to fostering a supportive and empowering environment for its staff and the young people they serve. Located in the heart of Maidenhead, our newly refurbished accommodation offers a unique opportunity to be part of a pioneering team that prioritises the growth and independence of care leavers. With competitive benefits, flexible working options, and a strong commitment to employee development, we ensure that our team members thrive both personally and professionally.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Waking Night Support Worker in Maidenhead
✨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 Homeless Link.
✨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 Homeless Link!
✨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 Homeless Link, 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 Homeless Link 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 Waking Night Support Worker in Maidenhead
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 Homeless Link:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Homeless Link! 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 Homeless Link
✨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.
