Specialist support worker

Specialist support worker

Full-Time 37476 - 45804 £ / year (est.) No working from home possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Support young homeless women in their journey towards independence and wellbeing.
  • Company: Join Peabody, a values-driven organisation focused on kindness and diversity.
  • Benefits: Enjoy 25 days annual leave, flexible benefits, and a generous pension contribution.
  • Other info: Dynamic team environment with opportunities for personal growth and development.
  • Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of vulnerable young people while developing your skills.
  • Qualifications: Experience with vulnerable youth and knowledge of safeguarding principles required.

The predicted salary is between 37476 - 45804 £ per year.

Our Vacancy

We're looking for a Specialist Support Worker to join our Complex Needs Service, supporting young homeless women aged 18-25 (including care leavers and ex-offenders) who have high support needs.

In this role, you'll be safeguarding wellbeing, encouraging positive relationships, and supporting each resident's journey towards independence, all while ensuring the safety, calm, and security of our service overnight.

What We're Looking For

  • Background: Experience working with vulnerable young people (18-25 years) in social housing, education, or the charity sector, with a focus on development and personal growth.
  • Complex Needs: Professional experience of supporting people with complex needs, including homelessness, mental health, high-risk or high-harm behaviours, or high vulnerability.
  • Managing Challenging Behaviour & Maintaining
  • Professional

Boundaries: Experience of working with young people who display challenging behaviour or conflict, while remaining approachable, engaging effectively, providing constructive support, and maintaining appropriate professional boundaries.

  • Safeguarding and Trauma-Informed Principles: Thorough and up-to-date knowledge of safeguarding and trauma-informed care.
  • IT Skills, Complex Casework & Time

Management: Good IT skills, demonstrable experience of managing a complex caseload, strong report writing skills, and effective time management.

  • Must hold GCSE Maths and English at grade C/4 or above (or equivalent).

Why Join Us?

When you join Peabody, you're joining a team guided by our values, Be Kind, Do the Right Thing, Love New Ideas, Celebrate Diversity, Keep Our Promises, Pull Together.

We believe in creating a workplace where everyone feels supported, included, and empowered.

What We Offer

  • 25 days' annual leave plus bank holidays
  • Flexible benefits scheme, including family-friendly options and discounts
  • 4x salary life assurance
  • Up to 10% pension contribution
  • Important Information

This role requires an enhanced DBS check.

Please note: Peabody is not a licensed UK sponsor, so we're unable to offer visa sponsorship for this role.

If you need to ask us anything else at all, feel free to drop an email to Talent Specialist charlene. moore @peabody. org. uk

Interviews for this role will take place over MS Teams on the 22nd September, followed by an in-person meeting at our scheme in Hackney on 28th September 2026.

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Specialist support worker employer: Peabody Trust

Peabody is an exceptional employer that prioritises the well-being and development of its employees, offering a hybrid and flexible work environment that fosters collaboration and innovation. With a strong commitment to resident-centred service design, employees have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact while enjoying a supportive culture that encourages professional growth and continuous learning. Located in a vibrant community, Peabody provides unique advantages such as access to diverse projects and a chance to contribute to enhancing the lives of residents.

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Contact Details:

Peabody Trust Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Specialist support worker

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 Peabody Trust.

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 Peabody Trust!

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 Peabody Trust, 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 Peabody Trust 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 Specialist support worker

Communication Skills
Problem-Solving Skills
Teamwork
Flexibility
Adaptability
Time Management
Compassion

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 Peabody Trust:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Peabody Trust! 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 Peabody Trust

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.