At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a team to support young people in safe, person-centred housing.
- Company: A 200-year-old charity dedicated to supporting vulnerable individuals in Scotland.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working, generous leave, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Join a supportive team culture focused on growth and community impact.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in young people's lives while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in social care or support services; SVQ Level 3 preferred.
The predicted salary is between 36002 - 36002 £ per year.
About The Role
It does not matter whether your route into support work has been through housing, social care, homelessness, youth work, community services or lived experience-informed practice. If you care about young people having a safe, supportive place to call home, and you know how to lead with compassion, clarity and respect, this could be the next move for you. Supported Accommodation South Ayrshire helps reduce repeat homelessness by providing high-quality housing support in Ayr for young people aged 16 to 25. As Senior Support Worker, you will support the Service Manager with the day-to-day leadership of the programme and help make sure young people receive safe, person-centred and strengths-based support.
Right There has spent 200 years 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. We provide tailored support for people living with the effects of homelessness, poverty, addiction or family breakdown, meeting people where they are with no judgement and walking alongside them at the right time.
What you’ll do
- Lead and support a team. You will build positive relationships with Support Workers, provide regular supervision and appraisals, support rota planning and help create a team culture where colleagues feel supported to do their best work.
- Keep young people at the centre. You will make sure support plans, risk assessments, reviews and Keeping You Safe Plans are meaningful, up to date and focused on each person’s strengths, safety and aspirations.
- Support a safe, high-quality service. You will help maintain a safe environment, support high standards of accommodation, audit files, follow incident processes and report required Care Inspectorate notifications.
- Work in a trauma-informed way. You will promote person-centred planning, unconditional positive regard, psychologically informed practice and harm reduction approaches.
- Build strong relationships locally. You will represent Right There with local authority colleagues, social work, housing services and community partners, supporting links that help young people move forward.
- Support improvement and participation. You will contribute to team meetings, reflective practice, service development, complaints resolution and opportunities for the people we support to shape the service.
What you’ll bring
- You may already be supervising or leading a team in housing, social care or support services, or you may be ready to take the next step into a broader leadership role. We are interested in the experience you bring, the way you work with people and your commitment to learning.
- You hold SVQ Level 3 in Social Services and Health Care, or an equivalent SCQF qualification, or are willing to work towards this.
- You hold, or are willing to undertake, a relevant management or supervision qualification, such as PDA Health and Social Care Supervision.
- You have experience of supervising, leading or supporting colleagues, or can show clear leadership skills.
- You have experience of working with people whose needs are relevant to this service area.
- You understand person-centred support, professional boundaries, safeguarding, confidentiality and the importance of respectful relationships.
- You can organise your time, prioritise well, meet deadlines and support staff resources around people’s needs.
- You can communicate clearly and respectfully, including through written records, reports and day-to-day conversations.
- You are confident using Microsoft Office and can work with information to support service quality and improvement.
- You do not need to have followed one fixed route into this role. Experience in third sector services, housing, social care, youth work, community support, crisis work, partnership working or team coordination could all be relevant.
- If this role excites you but you do not meet every point, we still encourage you to apply.
Our offer
- Full-time, permanent
- Salary up to £36,002 per annum
- Core place of work: 42 Chalmers Road, Ayr, KA7 2JQ.
- Working hours are Monday to Friday between 9.00am and 10.00pm in shifts defined by your line manager, depending on service needs. Flexibility is required to work evenings and weekends when needed.
- Annual leave of 234 hours, equivalent to 6 weeks, pro rata in the first year, rising to 312 hours, equivalent to 8 weeks, pro rata in the second year. This includes public holidays.
- People’s Pension, subject to eligibility.
- Access to flexible working around programme needs, wellbeing support, learning and development, funded qualifications where appropriate, Health Shield, Cycle to Work, Blue Light Card and other employee benefits.
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.
Senior Support Worker in Ayr employer: Rightthere
Right There is an exceptional employer dedicated to making a meaningful impact in the lives of young people and families across Fort William. With a strong focus on employee growth, we offer flexible working arrangements, competitive pay, and a supportive work culture that values resilience and compassion. Join us in our mission to create lasting change while enjoying the benefits of paid annual leave and a contributory pension scheme.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Support Worker in Ayr
✨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 Rightthere.
✨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 Rightthere!
✨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 Rightthere, 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 Rightthere 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 Ayr
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 Rightthere:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Rightthere! 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 Rightthere
✨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.
