At a Glance
- Tasks: Support vulnerable women in rebuilding their lives through tailored assistance and guidance.
- Company: Riverside, a leading housing association dedicated to community support.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous holidays, and investment in your personal development.
- Other info: Flexible working hours and opportunities for career growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while gaining valuable experience.
- Qualifications: Experience with vulnerable individuals and a caring, resilient attitude.
The predicted salary is between 28031 - 28031 £ per year.
Contract Type: Permanent
Salary: £28,031.56 per annum
Working Hours: 37.5 hours per week
Working Pattern: Rolling rota, shifts between 07.30 to 22:00 including some weekends and bank holidays
Location: The Beeches, Fallowfield, Manchester
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't meet all the essential criteria on the job description.
Please note that whilst we will accept applications on the basis of any form of valid legal permission to work in the UK, we will be surrendering the Riverside Sponsorship licence, so for the avoidance of doubt, we are unable to apply for any further sponsorships whether on behalf of existing colleagues or candidates.
Genuine Occupational Requirement Schedule 9, Part 1 (1a) of the Equality Act 2010 applies to this role. Due to the nature of the service, there is a genuine occupational requirement for the post holder to be female. This position is based within female domestic abuse services, therefore recruitment will be limited to female applicants only.
The difference you will make as a Support Worker
You will be working from one of our supported services providing support to our customers in a variety of ways. For example, connecting them with employability coaches and other support agencies, helping them manage their money, signing up for benefits or to move on to a more permanent home. It will be your job to help boost their confidence and support them on their journey as they rebuild their lives. Through all of this you will need to keep records of everything, so there is some admin to do. At times this role is tough, but most of the time it can be incredibly rewarding. You will need to be resilient, empathetic, and able to leave your work at work and not take it home with you.
About you
- Experience of working with vulnerable people
- Experience of delivering structured support and risk management
- To be a team player with a caring and empathetic nature with a resilient, can-do attitude, able to work as part of a team
- An understanding of supporting vulnerable people – this could include having your own lived experience of homelessness or drug or alcohol addiction.
- Ability to work flexible hours to meet customer and business needs, which may not include normal office hours and may include lone working
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:
- Competitive pay & generous pension
- 25 days holidays plus bank holidays (pro rata)
- 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
Support customers
We use Psychologically Informed approaches and Trauma Informed Care principles to support our customers to develop new ways of thinking and to make steps towards independence, by:
- Leading on Co-producing bespoke support and move-on plans, involving key stakeholders (e.g. family/other support providers), where appropriate.
- Organising and carrying out regular planned reviews of support and risk plans, or following an incident/significant change in a customer’s circumstances.
- Engaging customers to meet agreed outcomes and develop life skills.
- Assisting customers with day-to-day support and tenancy-related matters.
- Identifying and promoting opportunities for employment, education and training and supporting customers to remove barriers to accessing these opportunities.
- Signposting customers to appropriate external support services, including interventions such as food banks and other community resources.
- Supporting customers to be ‘tenancy ready’ to enable successful move on.
- Supporting customers to be financially independent through budgeting plans and maximising income.
- Supporting and monitoring customers’ healthcare needs, ensuring appropriate contact with healthcare professionals.
- Empowering customers to move towards self-management of their medication by following the medication procedure.
- Leading on support initiatives including Group Work.
- Ensure the safety of our customers by following local safeguarding procedures, recognizing and acting on any significant risk, and escalating appropriately.
- Record and update clear, factual, accurate, strengths based customer information on the local or appropriate digital platform.
Deliver a support service
- Facilitate the referral process into the service and assess potential new customers.
- Contribute to the delivery of a housing management service, including income collection and providing customers with tenancy-related support.
- Work with customers to maintain a safe environment by reporting repairs and health and safety concerns.
- Clean and prepare rooms as appropriate.
- Resolve difficult and challenging situations in a sensitive and informed way, balancing the needs of the individual with responsibilities for the safety of the service.
- Develop and maintain local partnerships to provide a holistic range of support for customers.
- Carry out day-to-day administration and operational duties.
Other Duties
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 framework e.g. health & safety, safeguarding, dignity at work, GDPR opportunities, cash handling, etc. Deliver your role in line with Riverside company values – “Our Riverside Way”. Participate in team meetings, attend regular supervisions and reflecting 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.
Additional Information
The Group has offices across the UK and on this basis, there may be the requirement to travel to other locations to effectively perform this role. The role will be exposed to sensitive information; therefore, the role holder is expected to maintain levels of confidentiality at all times. In order to fulfil the requirements of this role, you will be required to work flexibly during the hours of operation. The role holder is expected to be committed to equal opportunities and to promote non-discriminatory practices in all aspects of work undertaken.
Person specification
Essential
- An understanding of the barriers faced by vulnerable and diverse customer groups and individuals with complex needs.
- Experience of delivering structured support and risk management.
- Be a team player with a caring, empathetic, flexible and have a resilient, can-do attitude.
- Previous experience in positively resolving incidents.
- Demonstrate initiative and confidence to make and act on decisions.
- Competent administrative and IT skills (to be able to produce reports and other communications).
Desirable
- Knowledge of Psychological or Trauma Informed approaches to support.
- Experience of working in challenging environments with the ability to plan, prioritise, organise tasks to achieve results.
- Knowledge of current benefit systems.
- Experience of working in a care and support environment.
Support Worker (Female Only Applicants) employer: The Riverside Group
Riverside is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and inclusive work environment where you can make a meaningful impact in the lives of vulnerable individuals. With competitive pay, generous benefits, and a strong commitment to employee development, you'll find ample opportunities for personal and professional growth while working in the heart of Fallowfield, Manchester. Join us in our mission to enhance communities and support those in need, all while being part of a diverse team that values your contributions.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Support Worker (Female Only Applicants)
✨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 The Riverside Group.
✨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 The Riverside Group!
✨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 The Riverside Group, 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 The Riverside Group 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 (Female Only Applicants)
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 The Riverside Group:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to The Riverside Group! 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 The Riverside Group
✨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.
