Specialist Support Worker
Specialist Support Worker

Specialist Support Worker

High Wycombe Full-Time 25000 - 35000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Support vulnerable customers with tailored emotional and practical assistance.
  • Company: Riverside is a leading housing association dedicated to enhancing lives and communities.
  • Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, personal development investment, and a diverse workplace culture.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact while working in a supportive, inclusive environment.
  • Qualifications: Experience in support work and managing caseloads is essential.
  • Other info: Flexible hours and travel required; commitment to continuous learning is key.

The predicted salary is between 25000 - 35000 £ per year.

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Job Title: Specialist Support Worker
Contract Type: Permanent
Salary:£30,302.64 (£31,238.97 per annum is achieved after 18 months successful performance in the role)
Working Hours: Full time 37.5 hours per week
Working Pattern:shifts, every other weekend working
Location: Wycombe / Buckinghamshire

If you share our values and are excited about making a significant impact at Riverside, please ensure you attach a current CV and covering letter. At Riverside we recruit to potential not just on skills and experience, so we encourage you to apply even if you don\’tmeet all the essential criteria on the job description.

The difference you will make as a Specialist Support Worker

You will work collaboratively as part of a team to deliver an outstanding service and a range of practical and emotional asset-based approaches to support. With a real focus on customer engagement and co production within the service, you will link customers with external services to offer a comprehensive engagement offer tailored to their needs. The role will also include carrying a small caseload of our more complex customers ensuring high quality, asset-based support.

About you

We are looking for someone with:

  • Recent experience of support work, risk management and managing caseloads and working with vulnerable and diverse customer groups
  • Experience of working in challenging environments with the ability to plan, prioritise and organise tasks to achieve results

Why Riverside?

At Riverside, we’re a housing association with a difference – enhancing the everyday for all our customers. For 90 years, we’ve been revitalising neighbourhoods and supporting communities by providing the homes they need to live full, fulfilling and rewarding lives.

We have a portfolio of over 75,000 affordable residential and retirement homes across the UK. Our work ranges from homelessness services to social care, employment support to retirement living, and we need the best people on board to help us.

Working with us, you’ll enjoy:

  • Flexible working options available
  • Investment in your learning, personal development and technology
  • A wide range of benefits

Diversity and Inclusion at Riverside:

We are inclusive. At Riverside, we value diversity in all its forms. We foster a workplace where all individuals are respected, empowered, and heard. Our commitment to inclusivity drives our success and enriches the lives of our customers and colleagues.

Riverside is a Disability Confident Employer and operates a Guaranteed Interview Scheme for any applicant who declares they have a disability. If the applicant meets the minimum requirements for the role (as set out in the role profile and/or person specification) they will be guaranteed an interview.

Applications may close before the deadline, so please apply early to be considered

Role Profile

  • As the Specialist Support Worker you will support the Service Manager with planning within the service, this could include delegating case management, or supporting the service to run effectively
  • Actively connect, engage, influence, and develop relationships with a range of local services and stakeholders to enable customers to access the full range of community resources and regularly update colleagues about how to access external services
  • Attend networking events, other support services and forums promoting our Psychologically Informed Framework and Trauma Informed ways of working
  • Understandlocal pathways and services to ensure there is a consistent, asset-based support approach for all customers
  • Produce reports and other written documentation as required to support service delivery
  • Work as part of a multi-disciplinary team, safeguarding all our customers
  • Develop, co-ordinate and deliver a ‘group-based activities’ programme for the service
  • Share specialist knowledge with colleagues and wider teams to ensure both customers and services are supported in line with latest best practice
  • Follow health & safety and safeguarding policies and procedures to ensure the overall safety and security of all customers
  • Keep accurate and timely records of specific activities

Supporting colleagues

  • Support and provide guidance to team members around your specialism – this could include coaching, upskilling or mentoring other colleagues
  • Provide specialist advice for colleagues through structured guidance to meet targets in support planning, delivery, safeguarding, risk assessments or other interventions
  • Undertake initial and continuous assessment of needs, potential risks and goals and agree levels of support and actions

Supporting customers

We employ an asset-based approach including Psychologically Informed approaches and Trauma Informed Care principles to support our customers to develop new ways of thinking and to take steps towards independence, you will be key in delivering this approach to customers

You will:

  • Lead on co-produced, bespoke customer support and move-on plans, involving all key stakeholders (. family, other support providers)
  • Complete regular reviews of support and risk assessments for customers
  • Identify and promote opportunities for and support customers to gain appropriate access to relevant external support services
  • Ensure the safety of our customers by following local safeguarding procedures, recognising, and acting on any significant risks and escalating appropriately
  • Record and update clear, factual, accurate, strengths-based customer information on the appropriate digital platforms
  • Be reactive to support needs as they arise and be able to take the lead on working in a multi-disciplinary way

Other Information

  • You will be required to work flexible hours to meet customer and business needs, which may not include normal office hours
  • You will be required to travel to different properties within the defined area as and when required
  • Use the Lone Worker system as and when necessary
  • Ensure customers are safe at all times – carrying out all of your duties within Riverside’s Policy and Procedure Policy and Procedure framework . health & safety, safeguarding, dignity at work, GDPR opportunities, cash handling, etc
  • Deliver your role in line with the Riverside company values – “Our Riverside Way”
  • Participate in team meetings, attend regular supervisions and reflective practice sessions
  • Undertake regular training and take responsibility for continuous development to enable you to deliver your role safely
  • From time to time you may be required to undertake additional duties and responsibilities in consultation with your Line Manager

Person Specification

  • Recent experience of support work, risk management and managing caseloads and working with vulnerable and diverse customer groups
  • Experience of working in challenging environments with the ability to plan, prioritise and organise tasks to achieve results
  • Experience of building effective relationships with customers and stakeholders
  • Knowledge and proven continuous personal development of working with vulnerable adults utilising “specialist knowledge”
  • Be a team player with a caring, empathic, supportive, flexible and resilient ‘can-do’ attitude
  • Ability to listen and communicate clearly, encourage feedback and reflection, empower, motivate, and gain improvements
  • Have conflict resolution skills and be confident and consistent when making decisions
  • Experience of reviewing, monitoring, and evaluating outcomes in the delivery of support services
  • Competent IT skills, including using databases, producing reports and other communications and analysing key outcomes data to understand and drive service improvements
  • Experience of coaching, training or mentoring techniques
  • A recognised, recent, formal care, support, or housing qualification
  • Experience of reflective practice and identifying best practices and sharing information to upskill individuals

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Specialist Support Worker employer: Riverside

Riverside is an exceptional employer that prioritises the well-being and development of its staff, offering flexible working options and a commitment to personal growth through continuous learning and technology investment. With a strong focus on diversity and inclusion, Riverside fosters a supportive work culture where every employee is valued and empowered to make a meaningful impact in the community. Located in Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, this role as a Specialist Support Worker provides the opportunity to engage with diverse customer groups and contribute to innovative support services that enhance lives.
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Contact Detail:

Riverside Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Specialist Support Worker

✨Tip Number 1

Familiarise yourself with Riverside's values and mission. Understanding their commitment to diversity, inclusion, and community support will help you align your approach during interviews and discussions, showcasing how you can contribute to their goals.

✨Tip Number 2

Network with current or former employees of Riverside. Engaging with them on platforms like LinkedIn can provide you with insider knowledge about the company culture and expectations, which can be invaluable during your application process.

✨Tip Number 3

Prepare to discuss your experience in managing caseloads and working with vulnerable groups. Be ready to share specific examples that demonstrate your ability to handle challenging situations and how you’ve successfully supported individuals in the past.

✨Tip Number 4

Research local services and community resources relevant to the role. Being knowledgeable about external support options will not only impress during interviews but also show your proactive approach to customer engagement and support.

We think you need these skills to ace Specialist Support Worker

Experience in support work
Risk management skills
Caseload management
Ability to work with vulnerable and diverse customer groups
Planning and organisational skills
Building effective relationships with customers and stakeholders
Knowledge of asset-based approaches
Understanding of Psychologically Informed Framework and Trauma Informed Care principles
Conflict resolution skills
Strong communication skills
Coaching and mentoring abilities
Competent IT skills, including database management
Report writing and documentation skills
Reflective practice experience
Commitment to continuous personal development

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in support work, risk management, and working with vulnerable groups. Use specific examples that demonstrate your skills and achievements related to the role.

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for supporting diverse customer groups and your understanding of asset-based approaches. Mention how your values align with Riverside's mission and how you can contribute to their team.

Highlight Relevant Experience: When detailing your experience, focus on situations where you've successfully managed caseloads or worked in challenging environments. Use metrics or outcomes to showcase your impact in previous roles.

Showcase Your Soft Skills: Riverside values empathy, communication, and teamwork. Provide examples of how you've effectively built relationships with customers and stakeholders, and how you've resolved conflicts in a supportive manner.

How to prepare for a job interview at Riverside

✨Show Your Passion for Support Work

Make sure to express your genuine enthusiasm for working with vulnerable and diverse customer groups. Share specific examples from your past experiences that highlight your commitment to making a positive impact in their lives.

✨Demonstrate Your Teamwork Skills

As a Specialist Support Worker, collaboration is key. Be prepared to discuss how you've successfully worked within a team in previous roles, focusing on your ability to communicate effectively and support your colleagues.

✨Highlight Your Problem-Solving Abilities

Prepare to share instances where you've faced challenges in support work and how you approached them. Emphasise your skills in risk management and your ability to plan and prioritise tasks to achieve results.

✨Familiarise Yourself with Riverside's Values

Research Riverside's mission and values before the interview. Be ready to discuss how your personal values align with theirs, particularly regarding diversity, inclusion, and the asset-based approach to support.

Specialist Support Worker
Riverside
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  • Specialist Support Worker

    High Wycombe
    Full-Time
    25000 - 35000 £ / year (est.)

    Application deadline: 2027-07-14

  • R

    Riverside

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