Weekend Bank Support Worker

We are looking for reliable, caring, professional and motivated Bank Support Workers to join our team supporting young people aged 16–18 living in our Ofsted-regulated semi-independent homes across South London and West London.

We support young people who may have mental health needs, learning disabilities or difficulties, emotional and behavioural needs, and/or behaviours that may present challenges.

The role involves providing consistent, person-centred support and helping young people develop the skills, confidence and independence they need to make positive progress towards adulthood and independent living.

As a Bank Support Worker, you will work predominantly at weekends and may be required to cover daytime, evening and waking-night shifts according to the needs of the service and the agreed rota.

Key responsibilities

As a Bank Support Worker, you will:

• Provide safe, consistent and person-centred support to young people in accordance with their individual placement plans, support plans, risk assessments and agreed outcomes.
• Build positive, professional and appropriate relationships with young people while maintaining clear professional boundaries.
• Support young people to develop practical independent living skills, including cooking, shopping, budgeting, managing their accommodation and maintaining a safe and healthy living environment.
• Encourage young people to develop confidence, communication and social skills.
• Support young people to access education, employment, training, volunteering and other opportunities appropriate to their individual circumstances.
• Encourage and support participation in positive community activities and leisure opportunities.
• Promote young people's independence, dignity, privacy, rights, equality and participation in decisions affecting them.
• Support young people to understand and manage their emotions and respond appropriately to situations that may present challenges.
• Recognise and respond appropriately to changes in a young person's presentation, behaviour or wellbeing.
• Follow safeguarding procedures and immediately report safeguarding concerns in accordance with organisational policy and the home's procedures.
• Follow individual risk assessments, behaviour support strategies and other agreed plans.
• Maintain accurate, clear and timely records, including daily logs, handovers, incident reports and other relevant documentation.
• Communicate effectively with colleagues, managers and other professionals involved in supporting the young person.
• Follow health and safety, safeguarding, confidentiality, data protection and other organisational policies and procedures.
• Maintain appropriate professional boundaries at all times.
• Participate in handovers, staff meetings, supervision, training and other activities required for the role.
• Promote a positive, safe, respectful and supportive home environment.
• Work collaboratively with the wider team to help young people achieve positive outcomes and prepare for greater independence.

About you

We are looking for motivated and resourceful individuals who are committed to supporting young people and helping them achieve positive outcomes.

The successful candidate will be:

• Caring, compassionate, reliable and professional.
• Non-judgemental and respectful of young people's individual circumstances and backgrounds.
• Person-centred and committed to promoting independence and positive outcomes.
• Able to build appropriate and trusting professional relationships with young people.
• Resilient and able to remain calm and professional when dealing with difficult or challenging situations.
• Confident communicating with young people, colleagues and other professionals.
• Able to maintain appropriate professional boundaries.
• Organised and able to complete accurate records and written reports.
• Able to work independently while also contributing effectively as part of a team.
• Committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people.
• Flexible and available to work weekends, including evenings and waking nights where required.

Essential experience and requirements

Applicants must:

• Have a minimum of one year's recent relevant experience working with children or young people in a social care, residential care, supported accommodation, mental health, learning disability, youth work or similar setting.
• Have experience of supporting young people with some combination of mental health needs, learning disabilities/difficulties, emotional or behavioural needs and behaviours that may present challenges.
• Demonstrate an understanding of safeguarding children and young people.
• Demonstrate good communication and interpersonal skills.
• Be able to work as part of a team and independently.
• Be willing and able to work weekend shifts, including waking nights where required.
• Be committed to maintaining professional boundaries and confidentiality.
• Be willing to undertake all mandatory and role-specific training required for the position.

A relevant qualification such as Level 2 or Level 3 in Health and Social Care, Children's Care, Learning and Development, or another relevant qualification is desirable.

Safeguarding and safer recruitment

The safety, welfare and wellbeing of the young people we support is at the centre of our service.

All appointments will be subject to our safer recruitment procedures and satisfactory pre-employment checks appropriate to the role. These may include:

• Verification of identity.
• Right to work checks.
• Full employment and/or activity history.
• Appropriate references.
• Verification of relevant qualifications and experience.
• Appropriate Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks, including the relevant children's workforce/barred-list check where the role is eligible.
• Consideration of any relevant information declared during the recruitment process.
• Assessment of the applicant's suitability, experience, skills and competence to work with children and young people.
• Any other checks required by legislation, regulation or our safer recruitment procedures.

Applicants will be expected to provide complete and accurate information throughout the recruitment process.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff to share this commitment.

Weekend Bank Worker – What we offer

• Flexible bank working opportunities.
• Weekend shifts across South London and West London.
• Competitive rates of pay.
• Opportunities for additional shifts subject to service requirements.
• Comprehensive induction.
• Ongoing learning and development opportunities.
• Support from experienced managers and colleagues.
• The opportunity to make a meaningful difference to the lives of young people.

Interested in joining us?

If you are an experienced, caring and reliable Support Worker who is passionate about helping young people develop confidence, independence and positive life skills, we would like to hear from you.

Apply now to join our Bank Support Worker team supporting young people across South London and West London.

Job Types: Full-time, Part-time

Pay: £12.75 per hour

Benefits:

• Flexitime

Physical Setting:

• Extra care housing

Work days:

• Every weekend
• Monday to Friday

Ability to commute/relocate:

• London, Greater London: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)

Licence/Certification:

• Enhanced DBS Certificate (required)
• Mandatory Training (required)
• NVQ L1, L2 & L3 (required)
• Prevention & Management of Violence & Aggression Training (preferred)
• Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) Training (preferred)

Work Location: In person