Pay: £12.71-£14.50 per hour
Job Description:
We currently have 2 opportunities to fill full time, part time, casual and bank positions.
Applications will be reviewed weekly.
About Optimal Supported Living
Optimal Supported Living supports looked-after children and care leavers aged 16+ through high-quality semi-independent accommodation. We are committed to providing a safe, caring and empowering environment where young people can develop independence, build resilience and achieve positive futures.
Job Purpose
We are looking for support workers to provide high-quality, trauma-informed support to young people aged 16–18, helping them to develop independence, build resilience and achieve positive outcomes across all areas of their lives. You will contribute to their emotional, social, educational and practical development, ensuring they are safe, supported and empowered to achieve their potential.
Core Outcome Areas (Every Child Matters)
Be Healthy
- Promote young people’s physical, emotional and mental wellbeing.
- Support access to GP, dentist, optician, CAMHS and wellbeing services.
- Encourage healthy routines, nutrition, sleep, and positive lifestyle choices.
Stay Safe
- Follow safeguarding procedures and maintain a safe, stable environment.
- Build trusting relationships that help young people disclose concerns.
- Carry out and update risk assessments and follow missing-from-care protocols.
Enjoy and Achieve
- Support access to education, training and personal development activities.
- Help young people explore interests, hobbies and cultural/community experiences.
Make a Positive Contribution
- Empower young people to express their views and participate in decisions.
- Encourage positive behaviour, respectful communication, and community engagement.
Achieve Economic Wellbeing
- Teach and model independent living skills, budgeting and household routines.
- Support young people to apply for benefits, employment, or further learning.
- Assist with move-on planning and developing future aspirations.
Key Day-to-Day Responsibilities
- Provide trauma-informed, person-centred support that promotes independence and emotional resilience.
- Build trusting, positive, professional relationships with young people and encourage safe, positive risk-taking.
- Support with daily living skills, including cooking, cleaning, budgeting, shopping and organising appointments.
- Assist young people in accessing education, training, apprenticeships and employment.
- Help young people apply for housing pathways and welfare benefits they are entitled to.
- Promote positive mental health, helping young people understand and manage adverse experiences and emotional challenges.
- Work effectively with social workers, local authorities, schools, health services, and other professionals.
- Follow all safeguarding, behaviour management, missing-from-care and incident reporting procedures.
- Maintain accurate, clear and timely records, including support plans, risk assessments, daily logs and reports.
- Contribute to a safe, well-maintained and supportive living environment.
Person Specification
We are looking for individuals who are:
- Altruistic and passionate about supporting vulnerable young people.
- Emotionally resilient, patient, and compassionate.
- Able to remain calm and solution-focused during challenging situations.
Essential Skills & Experience
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Ability to engage and motivate young people with a range of needs and backgrounds.
- Strong teamwork, reliability, and flexibility.
- Ability to manage challenging behaviour in a professional and empathetic manner.
- Good organisational skills and accurate record-keeping abilities.
- Basic IT proficiency (e.g., Office 365, email, recording systems).
- Commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people.
Desirable Qualifications
- NVQ Level 2 in Health and Social Care (Children and Young People or equivalent).
- Previous experience supporting young people in social care, education, youth work or supported accommodation.
- We invest in our staff by providing continuous guidance, mentoring, and access to relevant training courses, ensuring everyone feels supported and confident in their role.
Additional Requirements
- Willingness to work a flexible rota, including weekends and bank holidays.
- Full UK driving licence (desirable but not essential).
- Enhanced DBS check (required).
Other Info
Contract Type: We offer Permanent Full-time and Part-time roles, as well as flexible Casual/Bank and Zero-Hours Contracts
Expected Hours: Typical shift: 7:30am to 3pm / 3pm to 10:30pm / 7:30am to 10:30pm
Sleep in shift: 10:30 pm to 07:30am paying £40
Lone working will be required.
Support Workers are expected to complete a sleep-in following their late shift. However, we can offer flexible arrangements for staff who are unable to do sleep-ins.
(Shifts will require you to take 30-minute break as a legal obligation. This may not always be able to be taken off site).
Please note that on-site parking is limited to residential permit holders only. Staff will therefore need to commute using alternative transport methods, such as public transport or cycling.
Benefits:
- Casual dress
- Company events
- Employee discount
- Health & wellbeing programme
- Sick pay
Work Location: In person
Pay: £12.71-£14.50 per hour
Benefits:
Work Location: In person
