At a Glance
- Tasks: Support young care leavers in transitioning to independent living with practical and emotional guidance.
- Company: Join a passionate team dedicated to empowering young people in Manchester.
- Benefits: Enjoy 33 days holiday, health cash plan, and flexible working options.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for personal growth and development.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of young people and help prevent homelessness.
- Qualifications: A full UK driving licence and a passion for advocacy are essential.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
Young Person Independent Living Officer - Staying Close is NOT a live in role. Contract: 1 year FTC. Staying Close is a model which provides an enhanced support package for young people leaving care. It offers a package of practical and emotional support, provided by a dedicated staying close worker. Many care leavers report experiencing a 'cliff-edge' when they leave care and move into an independent tenancy. They report not feeling equipped to deal with the challenges of living independently, resulting in many care leavers getting into debt and arrears and losing their tenancies. Additionally, many young people leaving care do not have strong support networks to help them with the transition to independent living. As a result, care leavers are particularly at risk of homelessness due to a lack of transitional and practical support, and a lack of suitable accommodation.
Staying Close aims to provide the necessary emotional and practical support to help young people transition into independent living, giving them the tools to successfully live independently. You will work within Manchester's Staying Close offer to provide additional support to care leavers to improve accommodation outcomes, stability, and reduce homelessness. This includes helping to further develop joint working between the Leaving Care Service, housing services, and partner agencies. You will also be required to work flexibly, with some evening and weekend work required for the role.
The role holder will work collaboratively with other focused services to ensure that Council services and partner agencies are working to the highest standards to provide quality services for our young people in Manchester. Although primarily based at The Lodge, leaving care service, you will work across Manchester, supporting young people prior to them securing a tenancy and on occasions when they are accommodated by other housing providers in Manchester.
We are looking for candidates who have a passion to advocate on behalf of people and communities. A full UK driving licence and access to a car are essential for this role, as you will be required to travel across Greater Manchester. We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults and expect all colleagues to share this commitment. As this job is based in a supported housing project for young people and children, an enhanced criminal records background check (free of charge to you) is required. A criminal conviction does not necessarily stop you from working with us; all decisions regarding convictions will be made on a case-by-case basis. Further detail on our commitment to safeguarding young people can be found in our Safeguarding policy attached alongside this vacancy's candidate pack.
We offer a range of great benefits including:
- 33 days holiday per year plus bank holidays, and a holiday buy scheme.
- Company pension scheme with up to 10% matched contributions.
- Company funded access to a health cash plan, where you can claim back costs of everyday health treatments such as optical, dental, and much more.
- Enhanced sick pay with up to 3 months full pay and 3 months half pay.
- Health and Wellbeing Support including an employee assistance programme, free counselling, mental health first aiders, and numerous wellbeing initiatives.
- Life assurance subject to being a member of our company pension scheme.
- Learning and development to support you to develop the skills you need to fulfil your role and progress in your career.
- Commitment to Equality and Inclusion with employee network groups covering anti-racism, LGBTQ+, disability and long-term health conditions, carers, and menopause.
MSV is committed to Equality and Inclusion; all applications are scored against the essential criteria of the role. However, we encourage candidates to submit an anonymised CV if they can do so. MSV is also committed to supporting you to balance work and life, including with any caring or parental responsibilities you might have, and has a range of flexible working options and wellbeing support available to all colleagues to facilitate this.
For more information about the role, please visit our careers page where you will find a candidate pack and apply for the role. If you wish to discuss the role informally, please contact Helen Walker, Foyer Manager on 0161 276 1000. Interviews are scheduled to take place at the beginning of July 2026; however, interviews may be carried out throughout the recruitment process and the role closed if a suitable candidate is found. Therefore, we strongly recommend candidates to apply early. We are passionate about inclusion and would love to hear from people from diverse backgrounds for this role. If you are not sure whether you meet our requirements for this role but want to apply, go ahead. We will decide whether or not you are what we are looking for.
Young Person Living Officer - Staying Close in Manchester employer: Mosscare St Vincents Housing (MSV Housing)
At MSV, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer dedicated to supporting young people in Manchester as they transition to independent living. Our inclusive work culture fosters personal and professional growth, offering extensive benefits such as generous holiday allowances, a robust pension scheme, and comprehensive health support. Join us in making a meaningful impact while enjoying flexible working options and a commitment to equality and inclusion.
Contact Details:
Mosscare St Vincents Housing (MSV Housing) Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Young Person Living Officer - Staying Close in Manchester
✨Dive into Local Community Groups
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We think you need these skills to ace Young Person Living Officer - Staying Close in Manchester
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 Mosscare St Vincents Housing (MSV Housing):Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Mosscare St Vincents Housing (MSV Housing)! 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 Mosscare St Vincents Housing (MSV Housing)
✨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.
