At a Glance
- Tasks: Help people find homes and develop essential life skills while building supportive relationships.
- Company: A 200-year-old charity dedicated to supporting individuals in Scotland.
- Benefits: Generous annual leave, pension contributions, and access to wellbeing resources.
- Other info: Flexible working environment with opportunities for professional development and training.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives and help them thrive in their communities.
- Qualifications: Experience in support roles, strong communication skills, and a compassionate approach.
The predicted salary is between 20250 - 24750 £ per year.
About The Role
Are you ready to help people find a place to call home — and the support to make it last?
We are recruiting a Support Worker to join our Outreach programme based in Hamilton.
You’ll build trusting relationships and work alongside people to identify their goals, develop practical skills and feel more connected to their community.
Working with South Lanarkshire Council and other agencies, you’ll help people move from temporary to permanent accommodation or maintain their existing tenancy.
You’ll work flexibly across our IS1 Targeted Support Service and Your Path Outreach service.
Your role
- Manage your own caseload, keeping in regular contact through face-to-face meetings and telephone support.
- Create and review support plans with people, making sure their voices, strengths and aspirations guide the support they receive.
- Help people develop everyday skills, including budgeting, shopping, cooking and managing tenancy responsibilities.
- Support people to maximise their income, access benefits and connect with relevant services and meaningful activities.
Offer emotional support, advocate for people’s rights and help them build connections in their local community.
- Keep accurate, timely records and work collaboratively with colleagues and partner agencies.
- Maintain professional boundaries, follow safeguarding procedures and take part in training, supervision and reflective practice.
- What you’ll bring
You’ll bring a respectful, compassionate approach and the ability to build relationships without judgement.
You’ll have experience in a similar environment, including supporting people through crises and helping to de-escalate potential conflict.
- Knowledge of housing and homelessness issues, relevant legislation and policies, and housing and other benefits.
- Understanding of trauma, mental health, alcohol and drug use, and how these can affect people’s lives.
- Knowledge of safeguarding and adult protection policies and procedures.
- Strong communication, teamwork, caseload management and time-management skills.
- Confidence using Microsoft Office, maintaining records and writing clear reports.
- Flexibility to respond to changing needs and crisis situations, including at short notice.
- First aid awareness or certification.
- An SVQ Level 2 in Social Services and Healthcare, an equivalent SCQF qualification, or willingness to work towards this.
- A driving licence and access to a car for work, with insurance covering domestic and business use, and the ability to travel across the agreed area.
- Understanding of Psychologically Informed Environment (PIE) principles and knowledge of local resources and programmes would also be helpful.
- Our Offer
- Six weeks’ annual leave in your first year, rising to eight weeks in your second year, including public holidays.
- The option to buy or sell five days’ annual leave.
- People’s Pension enrolment from day one if eligible, with 5% employer and 5% employee contributions.
- Life insurance worth four times your salary.
- Enhanced family-friendly and compassionate leave.
- 24-hour support through our Employee Assistance Programme, Wellbeing Hub and self-care resources.
- Trauma-informed training, an annual development plan and funded SVQ qualifications for appropriate roles.
- Health Shield, Cycle to Work, Glasgow Credit Union offers, Blue Light Card access and other employee rewards.
About Us
We are a charity that recently celebrated 200 years of standing alongside people in Scotland.
Last year we supported almost 4,000 people to stay in their homes and stay connected to the people they love.
Support Worker employer: Right There
Right There is an exceptional employer dedicated to making a meaningful impact in the lives of young people experiencing homelessness. With a strong focus on employee growth, we offer comprehensive training and development opportunities, alongside a supportive work culture that values compassion and collaboration. Located in Ayr, our team enjoys flexible working arrangements, generous annual leave, and a range of wellbeing benefits, all while contributing to a mission that has positively influenced thousands of lives over the past 200 years.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land 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 Right There.
✨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 Right There!
✨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 Right There, 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 Right There 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
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 Right There:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Right There! 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 Right There
✨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.