AS A SMALL CHARITY WE CANNOT PROVIDE SPONSORSHIP
SUPPORT WORKER – Unaccompanied Asylum-Seeking Children (UASC)
SALARY: £27,298
REPORTING TO: Team leader
HOURS OF WORK: Full-time, 37 hours per week on a rota basis, including weekends as required.
This post is offered on a fixed-term basis until 31 December 2027. There may be opportunities for the role to be extended or for redeployment to another service, depending on future funding and service requirements.
JOB SCOPE
The post of Support Worker is based within the Outreach Team to provide visiting support to young vulnerable people in accommodation throughout West Lothian. The support worker is responsible for the management of the accommodation and working towards independent living.
It is a key responsibility to promote independent living within the community as well as promoting choice. A holistic approach to encouraging a stimulating, caring and culturally appropriate environment is essential. These must be continually assessed and reviewed. The support worker must establish and maintain positive and professional relationships with young people.
- This post is considered Regulated Work with children/adults under the Protection of Vulnerable Groups (PVG) Scotland Act 2007. Candidates will be required to join the PVG scheme or undergo a PVG scheme update check prior to formal offer of employment.
- There is also a requirement to register with Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC).
- Use of own vehicle and business insurance is required for this post.
THE ROLE
· Help young people find, keep and settle into accommodation that works for them, including supporting them to understand their tenancy rights and responsibilities.
· Work with families, landlords and other services to prevent homelessness before it happens.
· Support young people to access and maintain education, training or employment.
· Navigate the welfare benefits system alongside young people, maximising their income.
- To undertake and complete assessments and reports in line with organisational standards and timescales, develop action plans and implement support plans for young people.
- To visit young people within the community and their accommodation, working with them to continually assess their level of needs and abilities.
- Agree a support plan with the young person to ensure they have the necessary skills and support to work towards independent living.
- To lone work on a one to one basis with young people and organise and participate in group work and regular residents' meetings.
- To provide practical support to young people in accordance with their agreed support plan. Examples are; cooking, budgeting, preparing shopping lists, menu planning, domestic skills etc.
- To advocate for and with the young person where appropriate. Support should be given to allow the young person to make their own choices.
- To assist and empower young people in their dealings with statutory and voluntary organisations such as benefits agencies, job centres, health and social services. This may include supporting young people to complete relevant paperwork and forms for any applications they may be required to fill in.
- To co-ordinate risk assessments in relation to work with young people and follow any other organisational risk assessment currently in place.
- Be responsible for young peoples’ files, paperwork and service administration. All information must be recorded accurately and factually and stored in line with the data protection act.
- Co-ordinate regular reviews for the young people within the service with the service manager.
- Effective written and verbal communication with colleagues and other partner agencies.
- Where appropriate and with management authorisation transport young people in your own car.
- To be aware of safeguarding policies, procedures, and relevant legislation in the protection of both children and adults.
- Any other reasonable duty deemed appropriate by the organisational management. This may include redeployment to other dispersed services within the organisation, which are equivalent to this role.
COMMUNICATION
- To develop and sustain links with individuals, groups, agencies and professional bodies within the statutory and voluntary sector and to actively and positively promote the services of the organisation.
- To contribute and assist in the preparation of a range of materials that promote information regarding the organisation and of the issues affecting young people. This may include educational work in schools and public speaking duties.
- To ensure that all information received and disseminated, whether verbal, written or electronic concerning all employees, prospective employees or young people is treated in the strictest confidence and that all such information held is regulated and controlled in a similar manner in compliance with Data Protection legislation.
PROFESSIONAL AND PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT
- Maintain up to date knowledge of SSSC Codes of conduct, National Care Standards, housing resources, relevant legislation, welfare benefits, policies and good practice within the field of homelessness, housing support, and supporting asylum-seeking children.
- Maintain current knowledge and adhere to all organisational policies and procedures.
- The organisation operates a core training and ongoing training strategy that all staff are expected to participate in.
- To continually review personal and professional development e.g. identifying training needs.
- To participate in training as required.
- To be part of and support the work of students on placement.
- To attend and participate fully in supervision and appraisal sessions with the line manager.
- To attend, participate and contribute to team meetings.
- To contribute to the learning culture within the organisation.
ESSENTIAL:
· SVQ Level 3 in Social Care, or willingness to work towards it — or an equivalent qualification recognised by the SSSC.
· Experience working with vulnerable or socially excluded young people.
· Confident working alone with clients in community and home settings.
· Strong report writing, advocacy and agency liaison skills .
· Good time management and IT skills (email, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, data entry)
· Ability to challenge discriminatory behaviour and complete risk assessments.
· Comfortable working a rota that includes evenings and some weekends.
· Full driving licence with business insurance.
DESIRABLE:
· Knowledge of housing, social work or community education — or equivalent experience in a homelessness or youth support setting
· Knowledge of relevant legislation, including the Housing (Scotland) Act 2001, Children's (Scotland) Act 1995, and Adult Support and Protection (Scotland) Act 2007
· Experience supporting benefit claims and appeals
· Experience in mediation
· Background in supported accommodation or delivering support in young people's own homes
BENEFITS:
· Life insurance
· On-site parking
APPLICATION QUESTION(S):
Pay: £27,298.00 per year
Benefits:
- Casual dress
- Company pension
- Free parking
- On-site parking
- Sick pay
Work Location: In person
