Senior Support Worker 16-18

Senior Support Worker — Young People's Supported Accommodation

West Midlands branches — Tipton (DY4 0EU) and Wolverhampton (WV10 0SX)· £28,000–£32,500 a year · £100 per on-call week on top · 2-on-4-off rota with sleep-ins

About the role

Optionz Supported Housing provides a safe, stable home for young people aged 16–21 who have experienced trauma, neglect or exploitation, and supports them towards independence. We are looking for a Senior Support Worker to lead shifts across our settings in Tipton and Wolverhampton.

You will run the shift, supervise and develop Support Workers, carry a key-worker caseload and liaise with health, education and social-care professionals. You will also take part in our on-call rota, giving out-of-hours advice and support to staff on shift and attending a setting when the situation needs you there.

What you will do

· Lead the shift and be the decision-maker on the floor

· Supervise, mentor and develop Support Workers; support induction and appraisal

· Keep young people and staff safe — risk assessment, safety planning, incident management and safeguarding escalation

· Oversee key working, education and employability, independence skills, health and wellbeing

· Support young people to manage their own health and medication, and to access GPs, CAMHS and other services

· Take part in the on-call rota: hold the on-call phone for a rostered week, respond to calls, arrange cover, attend when needed, and log every call

Shifts

2-on-4-off rota: 11:00–22:00 on duty, 22:00–08:00 sleep-in, 08:00–11:00 handover. Includes weekends and bank holidays. On-call weeks are shared with the Registered Service Manager and Team Leader.

What we are looking for

• Level 3 Diploma in Children and Young People's Workforce, Health and Social Care, or equivalent (essential)
• At least 12 months' experience supporting young people, and experience of leading or supervising staff (essential)
• Calm, clear decision-making under pressure — on shift and on the phone
• Strong written records and confident use of care software (ClearCare)
• Willing to work the rota, sleep-ins and on-call weeks (essential); full driving licence and access to a vehicle (desirable)

What we offer

· £28,000–£32,500 a year on the 2-on-4-off rota, including sleep-ins

· £100 per rostered on-call week on top, with phone time and call-outs paid at your hourly rate

· Paid induction and training, support with further qualifications, yearly performance-related increments and progression to Team Leader

· Employee Assistance Programme, Refer-a-Friend scheme, company events, casual dress, free parking

· Newly renovated settings with separate staff quarters

How to apply

Apply with your CV and a short note on your experience of leading a team in a care setting. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to interview at one of our settings.

Optionz Supported Housing is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of young people. This post is subject to an enhanced DBS check with children's barred-list check, right-to-work verification, a full employment history and two references including your most recent employer. We are an equal-opportunities employer.

Pay: £28,000.00-£32,500.00 per year

Benefits:

• Company events
• Company pension
• Health & wellbeing programme
• Paid training
• Referral programme

Education:

• Diploma of Higher Education (required)

Experience:

• Senior Ofsted Regulated SA, CH or Social Work: 1 year (required)

Licence/Certification:

• Level 3 Children and Young People's Workforce or Equivalent (required)
• Online DBS (required)

Work Location: In person