JOB DESCRIPTION & PERSON SPECIFICATION
Job Title: Bank Support Worker
We are seeking a motivated, passionate and committed support worker who wants a more flexible shift pattern whilst still making a meaningful contribution to the progress and development of vulnerable young people.
Accountable to: Senior Support Worker/Deputy Manager/Registered Service Manager / Nominated Individual
Service: AIS is an Ofsted registered supported accommodation provider for looked after children and care leavers aged 16+. We provide high quality accommodation and support services for young people who are transitioning to independence. We have high aspirations for our young people and our staff and are committed to providing trauma informed, responsive support to young people to enable them to achieve positive outcomes and reach their full potential.
Contract type: Bank worker
This role is offered on a bank basis. There is no guaranteed minimum number of hours or shifts, and shifts are offered in line with the operational and staffing needs of the service.
Purpose of the Job
To provide safe, high-quality, individualised and trauma-informed support to young people aged 16+ who are looked after or care leavers and transitioning towards independence within Ofsted registered supported accommodation. Your role will be to safeguard each young person's welfare, promote their emotional and physical wellbeing, uphold their rights, and support them in building the confidence and skills to move successfully into independence. You will work closely with social workers and partner agencies to understand and meet young people’s needs and ensure they are supported in a safe, structured and nurturing environment.
Main Duties and Responsibilities
Safeguarding and Welfare
- Safeguard and promote the welfare of young people, following the organisation's safeguarding policy and local safeguarding partnership procedures, reporting concerns to the designated safeguarding lead and Registered Service Manager.
- Recognise and respond to indicators of contextual safeguarding risk, including child criminal and sexual exploitation, missing episodes, gang association, radicalisation and online harm.
- Understand and apply trauma-informed and attachment-aware approaches, recognising how past trauma and loss may present in behaviour.
- Respond appropriately to challenging behaviour, using de-escalation and trauma informed approaches.
- Be aware of the safeguarding, cultural, religious, language and welfare considerations for unaccompanied asylum seeking young people.
- Take appropriate action in the event of an emergency or incident, informing the Registered Service Manager, on-call manager and other relevant professionals promptly, and completing accurate incident records.
Relationships and Emotional Support
- Develop and sustain warm, professional, trusting relationships with young people.
- Promote each young person's self-esteem, emotional wellbeing and sense of identity, respecting their right to privacy, dignity and to be heard.
- Support young people to express their views, wishes and feelings, and to participate fully in decisions about their care, support and pathway planning.
- Respect and promote the rights and needs of young people with additional needs and/or protected characteristics, ensuring the home and the support available is safe, inclusive and accessible.
Independence and Life Skills (Preparing for Adulthood)
- Support young people to develop the practical and social skills needed for independent living, including budgeting, cooking, cleaning and time management in line with their individual support plans.
- Support young people to understand and manage the rights and responsibilities of their accommodation arrangement, including any licence or occupancy agreement.
- Support young people access to education, training and employment, and a varied range of age-appropriate social, leisure and cultural activities.
Health and Wellbeing
- Support young people to access healthcare, including registration with universal services, and attendance at appointments.
- Promote healthy lifestyles, including nutrition, exercise, sleep and emotional wellbeing.
Practical, Legal and Administrative Support
- Support young people to attend relevant appointments, which may include social work, health, education, legal and, where applicable, immigration or asylum-related appointments, liaising sensitively with solicitors, interpreters or Home Office representatives as required.
- Maintain accurate, timely records to case files in line with the reporting policy.
- Support the development and review of plans and pathway plans, provide verbal and written reports as required for reviews and planning meetings.
- Carry out and record financial transactions involving young people in line with organisational policy.
- Carry out general administrative and housing management tasks relevant to the service to maintain a safe, hygienic and well-presented living environment.
Team Working, Professional Conduct and Bank Worker Duties
- Maintain accurate timesheets for all shifts worked.
- Adhere to the lone working policy.
- Accept supervision, guidance and feedback from senior colleagues and managers, working co-operatively as part of the team.
- Attend any training required to work shifts safely and competently, including refresher training as directed.
- Maintain confidentiality at all times, in accordance with the organisation's confidentiality and data protection policies.
- Comply with all relevant policies and procedures.
- Carry out any other duties reasonably required, commensurate with the role and the needs of the service.
What we offer
- Competitive hourly rate £13 - £15, depending on experience
- Flexible bank shifts to fit around your availability
- Supportive management and professional working environment
- Ongoing training and development opportunities
ALLIED INTERGRATED SERVICES
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Job Title: Bank Support Worker
Skills and Knowledge
1. Warm, person-centred and affirmative approach to young people
2. Good verbal communication skills and the ability to listen actively and sensitively to others
3. Understanding of trauma informed support and adolescent development
4. Comprehensive understanding of safeguarding and child protection, including contextual risks.
5. Written communication and ICT skills sufficient to maintain accurate case notes and records
6. Initiative, self-motivation and resourcefulness
7. Ability to communicate professionally with social workers, other agencies and, where relevant, family, friends and legal representatives of young people
8. Ability to demonstrate respect for difference, diversity, culture and faith, including the specific needs of unaccompanied asylum-seeking young people
9. Ability to provide emotional and practical support to young people
10. A non-judgemental, accepting approach to working with young people who may present as challenging, and the ability to remain calm and professional in the face of conflict or distress
11. Ability to work in a calm, patient and tolerant manner at a pace appropriate to each young person's needs
Experience and Qualifications
12. Experience of providing care or support to young people or adults with support needs in a supported accommodation, residential care, youth work or similar setting
13. Experience of supporting young people with learning disabilities, autism or mental health needs, unaccompanied asylum seeking young people.
14. Relevant level 3 social care qualification (for example, an NVQ/Diploma in Health and Social Care) or is working towards.
Other Requirements
15. Willingness to work flexibly, including at short notice, evenings, weekends and waking nights, in line with the bank nature of this role and the needs of the service
16. Willingness to attend mandatory training, including safeguarding training, prior to and while undertaking shifts
17. Willingness to accept feedback and guidance and to be accountable to colleagues and managers
18. Enhanced DBS check (or willingness to undergo one) and eligibility to work in the UK
19. Clean driving licence and access to a car
20. Willingness to work across Northamptonshire and Leicestershire
21. Ability and willingness to safely work lone shifts as well as part of a team, without constant direct supervision
How to Apply
If you are committed to supporting young people and are looking for a flexible, rewarding role, we would love to hear from you.
Apply via indeed with your CV today.
Pay: £13.00-£15.00 per hour
Benefits:
- Flexible schedule
- Free parking
- On-site parking
- Paid training
Work Location: In person
