At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and support a team of Support Workers to deliver high-quality service.
- Company: Join Nacro, a champion for education, housing, and justice reform.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career progression, and ongoing professional development.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive workplace welcoming applicants from all backgrounds.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while growing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Two years' experience as a Support Worker and strong leadership abilities.
The predicted salary is between 29051 - 29051 £ per year.
Total Salary: £29,051 Per Annum. This comprises a base salary of £28,851 and £200 unsociable hours allowance.
Contract: Full Time - Permanent
Location: Thame Valley
Covering: Southcentral
DBS requirement: Enhanced DBS check and HMPPS check required. This role does not offer eligibility for visa sponsorship.
Working Hours: 37.5 Hours Per Week. Shift patterns and flexibility will be discussed during the interview. The provision of the contract is between 08:00 and 22:00 Monday- Friday and Saturday 09.00 -17:00 on a rolling rotational basis.
This role requires regular travel across an allocated area and therefore, a Full Driving License and access to your own vehicle with business insurance are essential.
This role offers a starting salary within Nacro's pay structure of £28,851 Pro rota Entry with expected progression to £29,572 Pro rota Established within the first year, subject to meeting clear criteria and performance standards, with further pay progression available in the future. Nacro's pay framework provides transparent progression points and supports ongoing professional development and career growth.
We are Nacro, we believe that everyone deserves a good education, a safe and secure place to live, the right to be heard, and the chance to start again, with support from someone on their side. That's why our housing, education, justice, and health and wellbeing services work alongside people to give them the support and skills they need to succeed. And it's why we fight for their voices to be heard and campaign together to create lasting change. We see your future, whatever the past.
This role is part of the Community Accommodation with Support, Tier 2 (CAS-2) programme, directly commissioned by the Ministry of Justice and operating nationwide across England and Wales. The service provides accommodation and support for low/medium-risk people eligible for home detention curfew or bail, helping to keep people out of prison (when living in the community on licence is an option) and to support prison leavers to re-establish (crime-free) independent lives.
Key Responsibilities:
- Support the Service Lead to raise standards of service provision, ensuring alignment with contractual requirements.
- Guide and support a team of Support Workers in operational delivery, quality, compliance, property management, and income maximization.
- Collaborate with the Service Lead and Regional Manager to manage Support Worker resources for consistent, high-quality service delivery across the area.
- Provide direct input to Support Workers on practice, performance, and quality matters.
- Conduct record and compliance audits, including Health & Safety and property standards.
- Manage incidents and liaise with external agencies as needed.
- Carry a caseload if required, ensure team compliance with void management processes.
- Drive performance in weekly housing support and support production of robust Support and Safety Plans.
- Review income maximization processes and support claims/documentation.
- Escalate financial challenges, report performance information.
- Maintain accurate records and produce required reports.
- Commit to ongoing learning and development.
About you:
- At least two years' experience as a Support Worker (Enhanced DBS required).
- Strong leadership skills to guide and support a team.
- Proven ability to ensure quality, compliance, and accurate record-keeping.
- Operationally skilled in managing incidents, caseloads, and property standards.
- Financially aware and accountable for income, voids, and arrears.
- Flexible, reliable, and willing to deputise for managers.
- Upholds safeguarding, equality, and organisational values.
- Committed to professional growth and team development.
- Able to guide, support, and motivate colleagues.
- Clear, confident communication with service users, teams, and external agencies.
- Strong ability to manage caseloads, rotas, and record-keeping.
- Effectively manage incidents and resolve challenges.
- Ensures quality, compliance, and accurate reporting.
- Willing to adapt to changing duties and service needs.
- Takes ownership of performance targets and responsibilities.
- Upholds safeguarding, equality, and company values.
- Committed to learning and professional development.
At Nacro, we believe in the power of a diverse and inclusive team. We are a Ban the Box employer and welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, including those with criminal records. Convictions are not discussed at application stage and will only be considered later if relevant to the role, assessed fairly, proportionately and confidentially.
For advice, contact our confidential Criminal Record Support Service on 03001231999 or helpline@nacro.org.uk.
Senior support worker in Thame employer: Nacro
Nacro is an excellent employer, offering a supportive and inclusive work culture that prioritises professional development and employee growth. As a Service Lead in the East of England, you will have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact in the community while enjoying competitive salary progression and the chance to lead a dedicated team of Support Workers.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior support worker in Thame
✨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 Nacro.
✨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 Nacro!
✨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 Nacro, 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 Nacro 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 in Thame
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 Nacro:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Nacro! 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 Nacro
✨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.
