PURPOSE OF ROLE
To support young people aged 16+ living within Empowerhouse’s supported accommodation homes to achieve independence through positive relationships, consistent support, and person-centred practice. The Key Worker will work collaboratively with the wider team to deliver high-quality, trauma-informed support and ensure that young people’s voices, welfare, and outcomes remain central to service delivery, in strict accordance with the Supported Accommodation (England) Regulations 2023.
1. SUPPORTING YOUNG PEOPLE'S DEVELOPMENT
- Build strong, positive relationships with young people, maintaining appropriate professional boundaries at all times.
- Support young people in achieving their goals and outcomes as outlined in their individual Support Plans and Weekly Planners.
- Conduct regular key work sessions with young people, ensuring sessions are meaningful, goal-oriented, and evidence-based.
- Support young people to develop independent living skills, including budgeting, cooking, cleaning, laundry, and self-care.
- Promote engagement in education, training, employment, and community activities.
- Actively document and implement young people's views, wishes, and feelings regarding the daily running of the accommodation, ensuring their input directly shapes service delivery in alignment with the Ofsted Participation Standard.
- Support young people to understand their rights, including how to raise concerns or complaints in line with Empowerhouse policies.
2. SAFEGUARDING & WELFARE
- Promote a culture of safeguarding and ensure the safety and welfare of young people at all times.
- Read and familiarise yourself with all young people’s Risk Assessments and safety plans at the beginning of each shift.
- Demonstrate confidence in lone working, following escalation procedures, and making appropriate safeguarding decisions within the scope of the role.
- Take immediate and appropriate action where safeguarding concerns arise, referring to management and the DSL in line with Child Protection and Safeguarding Policies.
- Understand and consistently follow missing persons protocols and individual safety plans.
- Conduct visitor checks for all visitors to the property, ensuring IDs are verified, logged, and uploaded to the system.
3. RECORD KEEPING & COMPLIANCE
- Maintain accurate records using the organisation's electronic case management and recording systems.
- Complete all records to a high standard, including daily logs, incident reports, visitor records, and key work sessions.
- Ensure service users' paperwork and records are accurate, up to date, and completed in a timely manner.
- Ensure all actions and support strategies strictly adhere to the "Support" paradigm of the Supported Accommodation Regulations 2023, and avoid delivering registered "Care" elements.
- Share information factually, professionally, and promptly with colleagues, management, and external professionals.
- Protect confidential data by adhering to GDPR, data protection policies, and information-sharing protocols.
4. HOUSEHOLD STANDARDS & PROPERTY MANAGEMENT
- Support the general upkeep and cleanliness of the home, including conducting basic property inspections and immediately reporting any issues.
- Maintain a positive, welcoming, and safe environment within the home.
- Carry out weekly fire tests and contribute to health and safety checks as required.
- Assist young people in carrying out domestic duties, encouraging pride and responsibility in their living environment.
5. MULTI-AGENCY WORKING
- Prepare for and attend relevant meetings for young people, such as LAC Reviews, Placement Planning Meetings, Strategy Meetings, and House Meetings.
- Communicate and consult with relatives, advocates, social workers, and other professionals regarding young people’s wellbeing, health, education, and development.
- Represent Empowerhouse professionally in all external meetings and correspondence.
6. TEAMWORK AND SERVICE DEVELOPMENT
- Work collaboratively with the Homes Manager, Senior Management, and wider Empowerhouse team to maintain and improve service standards.
- Contribute to team meetings, share insights into young people’s progress, and proactively raise any concerns.
- Assist with shift cover and outreach support to ensure continuity of support and effective service delivery.
- Take ownership of designated tasks or projects that contribute to service development, as directed by management.
- Stay up to date with relevant legislation, policies, and best practices relating to supported accommodation and young people’s services.
- Maintain flexibility to meet the needs of the service, including covering shifts at short notice if required.
- Support young people to manage personal finances, subsistence, and financial planning through effective budgeting.
- Ensure UC and benefit applications are completed before each young person turns 18.
- Promote financial independence through practical advice and keywork sessions.
7. ESSENTIAL SKILLS & EXPERIENCE
- Right to work in the UK with the ability to provide original documentation in accordance with safer recruitment requirements.
- Experience working within Ofsted-regulated Supported Accommodation.
- Minimum 1 year's experience working with young people aged 16+ in supported accommodation, residential care, or youth work.
- Qualification Standard: NVQ Level 3 Children, Young People and Families Practitioner, Level 3 Diploma for Residential Childcare, or equivalent qualification (or active enrolment with completion within 2 years of start date).
- Clear Enhanced DBS certificate covering both Child and Adult workforces registered on the Update Service.
- Strong understanding of safeguarding, child protection procedures, and risk management.
- Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
- Ability to manage sensitive situations calmly and professionally.
- Commitment to promoting young people’s rights, independence, and participation in their care and support.
DESIRABLE
- Full UK driving licence, or actively working towards one.
- Familiarity with the Supported Accommodation Regulations 2023 and Ofsted's supported accommodation inspection framework.
- Experience of Ofsted inspection or regulatory audit processes.
Pay: £12.21 per hour
Benefits:
- Casual dress
- Employee mentoring programme
- On-site parking
Work Location: In person
