At a Glance
- Tasks: Provide emotional and practical support to individuals in supported housing.
- Company: Join Life, a national charity dedicated to pregnancy support.
- Benefits: Generous holiday allowance, birthday leave, and a company pension scheme.
- Other info: Flexible hours with opportunities for ongoing training and development.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while developing your skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in support roles and strong communication skills required.
The predicted salary is between 31500 - 38500 £ per year.
We are looking for a Senior Support Worker to join our Supported Housing team in Crawley. This is a rewarding opportunity to provide high-quality emotional, practical and housing-related support to individuals living in supported accommodation.
As a Senior Support Worker, you will:
- Manage referrals, assessments and admissions into the service
- Complete support plans, risk assessments and regular reviews
- Provide person-centred support tailored to individual needs
- Support clients to sustain tenancies and maximise income
- Signpost and advocate for access to welfare, health and community services
- Work closely with external agencies and professionals to achieve positive outcomes
- Facilitate support sessions and group activities
- Maintain accurate records and case management systems
- Promote safeguarding, equality, diversity and inclusion within all aspects of service delivery
- Support housing management functions, including reporting repairs and monitoring tenancy compliance
- Participate in the out-of-hours on-call rota
We’re looking for someone who has:
- Experience working in a similar support, housing or community-based role
- Understanding of the needs of vulnerable adults and trauma-informed practice
- Knowledge of support planning and risk assessment
- Understanding of safeguarding principles for children and adults
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team
- Full UK driving licence and access to transport
About Life: Life is a national pregnancy support charity that helps over 60,000 people a year. Through our services, we help people – whoever they are – to meet pregnancy or pregnancy loss with courage and dignity so they can flourish. Our services include:
- Supported housing and community support
- Counselling and skilled listening
- Free pregnancy tests and baby supplies
Our values: All our work is underpinned by the following universal human values:
- Humanity – All people are special and equal
- Solidarity – We’re with you and for you
- Community – We’re better together
- Charity – Doing good for one another
- Common good – Building a better world
Information about the role: Salary: £14,164.80 per annum. Hours: 20 hours per week over 3/4 days including a Thursday and Friday.
At Life we are passionate about providing our employees with a supportive and engaging environment. As well as ongoing development and training, we offer our:
- Generous holiday allowance, starting at 25 days per year, plus 8 Bank Holidays (pro rata for part time hours)
- Birthday Leave (applicable after 1 years service)
- Extra annual leave for long term service
- Company Pension Scheme
- Signed member of the Menopause Workplace Pledge
Safeguarding and Equality: Life is committed to protecting all staff, volunteers and service users from harm of any kind. Life expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment through our code of conduct. We are committed to ensuring diversity and equality within our organisation by encouraging applications from all backgrounds. All offers of employment will be subject to satisfactory references and appropriate screening checks. Life takes its obligation to protect the rights of children and vulnerable people very seriously; therefore, the successful candidate for this post will be also subject to extensive background checking, including an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check (DBS) which is paid for by the Charity.
Senior Support Worker – Crawley employer: Life Charity
Life is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and inclusive work culture that prioritises the well-being of both staff and clients. As a Senior Support Worker in Aylesbury, you will benefit from generous holiday allowances, a company pension scheme, and opportunities for professional growth while making a meaningful impact in the community. Our commitment to safeguarding and equality ensures a safe and respectful environment for all employees, fostering a sense of belonging and purpose in your role.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Support Worker – Crawley
✨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 Life Charity.
✨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 Life Charity!
✨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 Life Charity, 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 Life Charity 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 Senior Support Worker – Crawley
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 Life Charity:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Life Charity! 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 Life Charity
✨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.
