At a Glance
- Tasks: Empower vulnerable adults to achieve independence and build essential life skills.
- Company: Join a family-run, not-for-profit organisation making a real difference in Liverpool.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous annual leave, and extensive training opportunities.
- Other info: Dynamic team environment with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a positive impact on people's lives while developing your own skills.
- Qualifications: Experience with complex needs and a passion for supporting others.
The predicted salary is between 28151 - 28151 £ per year.
We have a fantastic opportunity available for Support Practitioners to join our team based in Liverpool. The successful applicants will work 40.25 hours per week. New Start is a family-run, not-for-profit organisation, providing residential and supported accommodation services for vulnerable adults, families, children and young people. We deliver a diverse range of homelessness projects and temporary housing solutions, helping some of the most complex and disadvantaged groups across Merseyside.
The services we provide aim to enhance lives by offering good quality homes and structured support; encouraging clients to achieve independence and engage in constructive opportunities which will enable them to live a more fulfilled and enriched existence. An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Support Practitioner to join New Start’s Mixed Hostel team. The project is an 11-bed temporary accommodation and support service for vulnerable adults who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. The service provides four beds for individuals with general support needs and seven beds for individuals with multiple complex needs.
We provide 24-hour, person-centred support to help residents develop essential life skills, build confidence, increase their independence and prepare for a successful transition into their own tenancies. As a Support Practitioner, you will play a vital role in empowering residents to achieve their personal goals, overcome barriers and make positive, sustainable changes in their lives.
Responsibilities as a Housing Support Practitioner will include:
- Managing and inspiring positive change for a caseload of residents within a psychologically informed hostel-environment.
- Ability to manage conflict and effectively de-escalate challenging situations.
- Supporting those who access the service to settle in, and work towards implementing a more empowering and positive daily structure into their lives at a pace that is realistic and achievable to them.
- Educating residents on harm reduction around substance misuse and supporting those who are contemplating recovery from addictions to understand the steps required to access various treatment options.
- Planning future long-term accommodation and resettlement options via a personalised strengths-based support plan.
- Offering ongoing coaching, advice, and guidance on housing/resettlement related issues from the beginning of a resident’s tenancy through to their planned exit.
- Conducting ‘trauma aware’ needs and risk assessments, and updating when necessary.
- Exploring education, training, and employment options with residents.
- Empowering residents to sustain their welfare benefits, manage their tenancy and comply with key functions that are necessary to support their basic needs/finances.
- Referring clients to relevant specialist support agencies to assist with support that cannot be met within the service remit.
- Liaising with external agencies (from a multidisciplinary perspective) on behalf of residents to ensure they can access what they need from services.
- Working as part of a team overseeing the health and safety of the building and all residents/visitors/co-workers whilst on shift.
- Completing regular resident welfare checks (as required) throughout the shift.
- Completing thorough case notes for all residents throughout the shift and providing a detailed handover to the next members of staff coming on shift.
- Supporting residents to maintain contact with specialist and clinical agencies.
- Reporting any incidents or concerns to the Project Manager.
- Effectively managing and reporting incidents that occur within the service in-line with New Start’s serious incident protocol.
What we are looking for in a Support Professional:
- NVQ Level 3 in Housing/Health and Social Care, or be working towards this qualification.
- Experience of working with individuals with complex needs, substance misuse issues, mental health, trauma, and/or offending backgrounds.
- Experience of working collaboratively with other agencies both voluntary and statutory.
- Experience and understanding of safeguarding vulnerable people.
- Previous experience of working in a hostel setting or delivering support via outreach work/in-reach work.
- An excellent understanding of homelessness/rough sleeping, substance misuse, harm reduction and managing complex needs/behaviours.
- An ability to motivate people and build positive connections.
- Knowledge and experience of how to support people from a person-centred perspective, positively engaging people through a process that is led by them.
- Ability to accurately record information, such as case notes, risk assessments, support plans and incident forms.
- Experience of working with Mainstay would also be desired, however full training will be provided.
This post is subject to enhanced DBS criminal record disclosure and subscription with the DBS Update Service.
Support Worker in Liverpool employer: New Start Careers
At New Start, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer dedicated to the well-being and development of our staff and the vulnerable children we support. Located in Liverpool, we offer a collaborative work culture that values teamwork and professional growth, with opportunities for further training up to Diploma Level 5 in Leadership and Management. Our competitive salary package, generous annual leave, and comprehensive employee assistance programme ensure that our Senior Residential Childcare Workers feel valued and supported in their vital roles.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Support Worker in Liverpool
✨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 New Start Careers.
✨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 New Start Careers!
✨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 New Start Careers, 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 New Start Careers 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 Support Worker in Liverpool
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 New Start Careers:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to New Start Careers! 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 New Start Careers
✨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.
