At a Glance
- Tasks: Support young people in a safe environment, helping them develop essential life skills.
- Company: Join Oasis Community Housing, a charity dedicated to supporting vulnerable youth.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, pension scheme, and 25 days holiday plus bank holidays.
- Other info: Flexible hours including evenings and weekends; great career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in young people's lives while gaining valuable experience.
- Qualifications: NVQ Level 3 and 2 years' experience as a Support Worker required.
The predicted salary is between 29916 - 29916 £ per year.
Responsible to: Project Team Leader, Southwark
Location: Working at properties across the Borough of Southwark
Salary: Band B: £25,266.93 per annum full time equivalent, plus London Weighting of £4,000 per annum (FTE), plus anti-social hours payment of £650 per annum (FTE). Total Salary: £29,916.93 per annum
Hours: Average of 37 hours per week over a 4 week rolling rota period. Hours vary, Monday to Sunday, in accordance with rota, and include anti-social working; sleep-in shifts, evenings, weekends and bank holidays.
Benefits: Oasis Community Housing operates a contributory group personal pension plan and in accordance with the Pension Act 2008, if eligible, you will be automatically enrolled into the Oasis Trust pension scheme. Currently all staff in our pension scheme are required to contribute a minimum of 2% of their salary. The employer contribution is currently set at a contribution of 7%. Oasis Community Housing life assurance policy, through Omnilife, is open to all staff who earn in excess of £6000 per annum. 25 days holiday per year, plus statutory holidays, increasing to 30 days per annum after 2 completed years’ service.
Job Purpose: To support the delivery of Oasis Community Housing’s Young People’s Supported Housing Service (including an Ofsted Registered project). The service supports 56 young people at any given time; in one 16-bed Ofsted Registered 24-hour staffed supported housing project for 16-21 years olds with medium-high needs, plus visiting support to young people living in properties across the North of the Borough. To provide trauma informed, holistic, personalised support to children and young people, which is in line with relevant pathway and safety plans. To work closely with Southwark Council, including Children’s Services, to ensure children and young people achieve the best outcomes, in line with project specific aims and objectives. Under the guidance of the Team Leader and Registered Service Manager, to ensure the service is compliant with the Supported Accommodation Regulations and we maintain successful Ofsted registration for the relevant project.
Organisation Context: Oasis Community Housing (OCH) is a Christian response to homelessness and disadvantage providing housing, support and other specialised services. The support provided aims to develop life skills that will enable people to live successful independent lives. Oasis Community Housing is part of the Oasis group of charities. The group includes national charities dedicated to education, housing, and campaigning against human trafficking and we work to a common vision of creating communities in which everyone can thrive and reach their God-given potential. We welcome applicants from all faiths or none, but it is important that all employees understand and sympathise with the Christian vision, ethos and culture of the organisation. However, it will be an occupational requirement that a practising Christian is needed for some specified roles. This will be highlighted in the qualifications section of the job description and will be clearly stated in the job advert. Oasis Community Housing is an experienced charity, with its Central Office in Gateshead, Tyne and Wear, and projects across the North-East and London. This post is based in the London Borough of Southwark.
Project Specific: Our projects are places of safety, Psychologically Informed Environments (PIE), from which we work with children and young people using person-led, holistic, trauma-informed and solution-focused approaches. We aim to provide accommodation and support that helps children and young people find self-worth and the belief that they deserve a better future, supporting them in safe, positive transitions including where relevant from care into more independent accommodation, and from childhood to adulthood; providing holistic support to gain essential life skills, achieve health outcomes, to realise and achieve their aspirations, and reach their full potential. We are commissioned by Southwark Council to provide this service, which currently consists of:
- A 24-7 staffed 16 bed Ofsted registered supported housing project for young people aged 16-21.
- A 4 bed property for young mums and their babies/toddler age children - with a staff office, visiting staff support Mon-Fri 9-5, and on call support outside of working hours.
- A 6 bed property for young mums and their babies/toddler age children – with visiting staff support Mon-Fri 9-5, and on call support outside of working hours.
- A 7 bed supported accommodation for young people (Christchurch - made up of self-contained flats, and flats allowing for sharing a bathroom/kitchen with one other) - with a staff office, visiting support Mon-Fri 9-5, and on call support outside of working hours.
- A number of 4-5 bed properties, for young people with visiting staff support Mon-Fri 9-5, and on call support outside of working hours.
Duties & Responsibilities:
- To provide holistic (mental, physical, emotional, spiritual) support to children and young people within our supported housing projects, in accordance with the ethos and values of Oasis Community Housing. Ensuring support provision is personalised to individual needs, and progress is regularly reviewed.
- To engage in multi-disciplinary team (MDT) approaches to support children and young people, including working closely with Children’s Services and other professionals and partner agencies. To include; attending meetings and effective information sharing.
- To ensure safeguarding policies and procedures are adhered to in your practices, and that concerns are reported appropriately and expediently, both internally, and externally, as needed.
- To navigate challenging situations effectively and sensitively.
- To maintain records needed to ensure excellent and consistent support provision; maintaining comprehensive case files, using our In-Form data system, completing reports and assisting in the measurement of outcomes.
- To ensure the Project Handbook, including the service expectations, are explained to children and young people at the point of entry; being reiterated, and enforced as needed.
- To deal with informal complaints made by residents in accordance with OCH's procedures.
- To organise and encourage activities which are of interest to those being supported.
- To support the active participation of residents in project design, delivery and evaluation; working with our Head of Service Improvement to encourage involvement, and assisting in recording access and engagement.
- To work in accordance with regulatory requirements. Under the guidance of the Team Leader and Head of Supported Housing (Registered Service Manager) to ensure your practices are compliant with the Supported Accommodation Regulations.
- To clean the office space and communal areas, and support those living in our service to keep their rooms/properties clean.
- To work closely with Housing Management Team colleagues.
- To attend regular supervision sessions with your line manager.
- To attend relevant training sessions as required by the role / your line manager.
- To undertake any other reasonable duties as required.
- To ensure all working practice and interactions are in line with organisational ethos and values.
- To be able to work in any Oasis Community Housing project as required.
Personal Specification/Key Competencies:
Qualifications: Relevant qualification to NVQ Level 3 (Essential)
Work Experience:
- At least 2 years’ experience as a Support Worker, including needs and risk assessment, delivery of holistic support, health and safety, working closely with partner agencies to provide support (Essential)
- Experience working with children and young people, especially those experiencing homelessness including leaving the care system, and related issues including mental ill health, trauma, abuse, alcohol and substance misuse and offending (Essential)
- Experience of using person centred support plans (Desirable)
- Experience working in the safeguarding arena (Desirable)
- Experience of participating in MDT meetings (Desirable)
- Experience of working in registered/regulated services (Desirable)
Skills, Knowledge & Aptitude:
- A mature, professional and flexible approach; excellent personal emotional intelligence and self-awareness, with an ability to work calmly under pressure (Essential)
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to build effective working relationships with other organisations (Essential)
- Ability to effectively use computer software packages, and to maintain accurate records i.e. Microsoft Office (Essential)
- Emotionally Resilient (Essential)
- Ability to develop and maintain professional staff/resident boundaries (Essential)
- Able to work on own initiative (Essential)
- Able to work as an integral member of a team (Essential)
- Must be able to respond flexibly to the needs of those living in our properties (Essential)
- Able to work unsocial hours including evenings, weekends, bank holidays, Monday-Sunday (Essential)
Support Worker in London employer: Oasis Community Housing
Oasis Community Housing is an exceptional employer, dedicated to fostering a supportive and inclusive work environment in Gateshead. With a strong focus on employee growth and development, we offer comprehensive training and opportunities for advancement, ensuring that our team members are equipped to make a meaningful impact in the lives of women and girls. Our collaborative culture encourages innovation and teamwork, making it a rewarding place to work for those passionate about community-based support.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Support Worker in London
✨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 Oasis Community Housing.
✨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 Oasis Community Housing!
✨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 Oasis Community Housing, 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 Oasis Community Housing 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 London
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 Oasis Community Housing:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Oasis Community 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 Oasis Community 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.
