Support Worker
We are looking for compassionate, motivated Support Workers to join our team at The Sanctuary Project, providing high-quality, person-centred support to young people aged 16–18 living within our Ofsted-registered supported accommodation.
Our young people have a range of experiences, including care experience, trauma, exploitation, family breakdown, mental health needs, neurodiversity, and additional support needs. Our role is to provide the right balance of support, encouragement and challenge to help them develop the confidence and skills needed to move successfully into adulthood.
No two days are ever the same. One day you may be supporting a young person to attend college, helping them budget for the week, or teaching them to cook their first meal. The next, you may be responding to a safeguarding concern, supporting someone in crisis, attending a professionals meeting, or helping a young person navigate a difficult relationship.
We're looking for people who can adapt to whatever the day brings while remaining calm, consistent and genuinely invested in helping young people succeed.
Your responsibilities will include:
- Building positive, professional relationships with young people
- Providing emotional support, encouragement and practical guidance
- Planning and delivering meaningful one-to-one support sessions
- Supporting young people to develop independent living skills including cooking, budgeting, shopping, cleaning and managing appointments
- Encouraging engagement with education, employment, training and positive activities
- Supporting young people to attend appointments with external professionals where appropriate
- Promoting positive behaviour while maintaining clear and consistent professional boundaries
- Recognising and responding appropriately to safeguarding concerns
- Completing accurate records including daily logs, session write-ups, incident reports, risk assessments and safeguarding documentation
- Contributing to support planning, reviews and multi-agency meetings
- Working collaboratively with colleagues, Social Workers, Personal Advisers, education providers, health professionals, Police and other partner agencies
- Helping to maintain a safe, welcoming and well-presented living environment
- Completing reasonable household and administrative tasks throughout your shift
Although you'll work as part of a supportive team, there will be times where you'll need to use your own initiative, make professional decisions and manage situations confidently. Senior staff and managers are always available for guidance and support.
We're looking for someone who:
- Believes every young person deserves the opportunity to succeed
- Is compassionate, patient and genuinely wants to make a difference
- Can build positive relationships while maintaining professional boundaries
- Remains calm under pressure and approaches challenges with confidence
- Is resilient and able to manage difficult conversations appropriately
- Has excellent communication and interpersonal skills
- Is organised and able to complete clear, detailed records
- Can work independently while contributing positively to a team
- Is flexible and understands that no two days are the same
Experience working with young people, social care, youth work, education, mental health, supported accommodation or similar environments is beneficial. However, we are equally interested in applicants who have transferable skills, the right values and a genuine passion for supporting young people.
A Level 3 qualification in a relevant subject is desirable but not essential, as full training, induction and ongoing development will be provided.
Working pattern
This role requires flexibility and involves working across a rota that includes weekdays, evenings, weekends and bank holidays.
Shift patterns are generally between 08:00am and 20:00pm, with a mixture of early and late shifts.
What we offer
- A supportive and experienced management team
- Comprehensive induction and ongoing training
- Opportunities for career progression and professional development
- The opportunity to be part of our transition to an Employee Ownership Trust (EOT), giving staff a genuine voice in shaping the future of the organisation
- Enhanced emergency overtime rate when additional urgent cover is required
- The chance to build meaningful relationships and make a lasting difference to young people's lives
The Sanctuary Project is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All staff are expected to share this commitment.
This role is subject to safer recruitment checks, including an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, satisfactory references and proof of the right to work in the UK.
Please note: We are unable to provide Certificates of Sponsorship and cannot consider applications that require employer sponsorship, now or in the future.
Pay: £12.83-£13.45 per hour
Benefits:
- Casual dress
- Company pension
- Free parking
- On-site parking
- Profit sharing
- Sick pay
Work Location: In person
