We currently have two vacancies at Bridge for Young People.

Job Title:                    Specialist Support Worker
Reports to:                Support Services Manager
Working Hours:       Full-time, 40 hrs per week
Salary:                        £27, 500 – £28,013 pa depending on experience

 
Job Overview             
As a specialist support worker for Bridge for Young People, you’ll be supporting young people between the ages of 16 and 25 who have been through the care system or have been affected by homelessness.  These young people (service users) may have additional social, emotional, and mental health needs.  You will work in a collaborative way with partner agencies to support our young people into independent living using our key working process to ensure positive outcomes.
 
Principle Responsibilities and Duties:

– Be an allocated key worker and manage a case load of service users
– Maintain a high quality of support which meets the emotional, physical, practical and social needs of service users, using a strength-based model of support
– Carry out holistic assessments of service users; create, with service users support plans and risk assessments, to achieve positive outcomes
– Work in partnership with professionals to meet the educational, employment, health and mental health needs of service users
– Record day to day case notes in line with charity policies and procedures.  Ensure all appropriate records regarding the service users are kept up to date and securely managed and filed
– Participate in, and complete reports for service user’s Statutory Reviews and meetings 
– Advocate for positive outcomes for service users and the charity

All support staff are required to:

– Have clear knowledge of local safeguarding policies and procedures
– Work as part of a team
– Attend staff and team meetings as required
– Observe health and safety procedures in the houses and workplace to ensure young person’s personal safety as well as your own, and to safeguard the interests and safety of all using/working/visiting the houses and organisation
– Report any housing maintenance issues to Housing and Finance Officer
– Undertake Mental Health First Aid Training, Mandatory Training, and specialist training as required
– Be proactive, bring ideas, suggestions and contribute to business improvement
– Play a part in helping to progress the project and support the information gathering and research processes to support further growth of the charity and support service
– Undertake other duties and responsibilities as appropriate since all staff are expected to work flexibly within their skills level to respond to changing priorities and make sure the needs of the young people and business objectives are met.
 
The needs of our Young People vary in level of complexity, and it is important to us that there is support for our Specialist Support Workers within the key responsibilities of the role.   The following professional support is available to all support workers:
 
– Clinical Supervision with a professional psychologist or counsellor
– Regular 1-1 meetings and wellbeing check-ins with Support Services Manager
– Reflective practice and team meetings
– Training and development
– Access to Centrepoint resources.
 
The duties and responsibilities outlined in this job description are liable to change to meet the needs of the business. The Support Services Manager will discuss and agree any significant changes that arise.  
 
Person Specification
 
Essential
– Eligible to live and work in the UK
– Full driving licence and use of vehicle with business insurance
– Minimum of 2 years’ experience working with young people
– Ability to understand the needs of vulnerable young people
– Have empathy and compassion in dealing with people that are in a crisis
– To understand professional boundaries and be able to maintain a professional distance at all times
– Understanding of equal opportunities and anti-discriminatory practice
– Experience of using office IT and able to write clear, accurate reports and records
– An enhanced DBS check will be required.
 
Desirable
– A recognised relevant qualification (e.g. in social work or youth work)
– Experience of working in a residential setting
– Knowledge and understanding of support issues for vulnerable adults and care leavers, including people with behavioural difficulties, and of relevant legislation and issues
– Effective listening and communication skills
Ability to use initiative and to prioritise and manage workload.
 
This position is full-time, 40 hours, working 5 days per week. You will need to be flexible to respond to the needs of the organisation, which may include attending evening meetings/events as required. Flexibility on travel within Berkshire and surrounding areas will be expected.

Why work for Bridge for Young People
– Opportunity to develop your career
– Supporting young people and making a difference
– Your working environment will be based across BfYP homes
– Training opportunities to enhance your skills and knowledge
– Team approach of working and partnership working
– Working in a strength based and holistic way of supporting young people.
 
To apply for this role, please email your CV to [email protected].

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Job Title:                    Weekend Support Worker
Reports to:                Support Services Manager
Working Hours:       Part-time, Saturday and Sunday, 10 hrs per week, 5 hrs each day
Salary:                        £25,000 per annum (pro-rata)

 

Job Overview
initially based on 5 hours per day, but expected to increase to up to 13 hours per day over time. Actual working pattern by agreement with line manager. As a weekend support worker for Bridge for Young People, you’ll be supporting young people between the ages of 16 and 25 who have been through the care system or have been affected by homelessness.  These young people (service users) may have additional social, emotional, and mental health needs. 
 
Principle Responsibilities and Duties
– Carrying out day to day support, including tasks around the home such as cooking and cleaning, garden, going out, taking part in activities, alongside offering emotional support. 
– Maintain a high quality of support which meets the emotional, physical, practical and social needs of service users, using a strength-based model of support.
– Record day to day case notes in line with charity policies and procedures.  Ensure all appropriate records regarding the service users are kept up to date and securely managed and filed.
– Advocate for positive outcomes for service users and the charity.

All support staff are required to:
– Work as part of a team
– Have knowledge of local safeguarding policies and procedures
– Attend staff and team meetings as required
– Observe health and safety procedures in the houses and workplace to ensure young person’s personal safety as well as your own, and to safeguard the interests and safety of all using/working/visiting the houses and organisation
– Report any housing maintenance issues to Finance and Housing Officer
– Undertake Mental Health First Aid Training, Mandatory Training, and specialist training as required
– Be proactive, bring ideas, suggestions and contribute to business improvement
– Play a part in helping to progress the project and support the information gathering and research processes to support further growth of the charity and support service
– Undertake other duties and responsibilities as appropriate since all staff are expected to work flexibly within their skills level to respond to changing priorities and make sure the needs of the young people and business objectives are met.
 
The needs of our Young People vary in level of complexity, and it is important to us that there is support for our Support Workers within the key responsibilities of the role.   The following professional support is available to all support workers:
 
– Clinical Supervision with a professional psychologist or counsellor
– Regular 1-1 meetings and wellbeing check-ins with Support Services Manager
– Reflective practice and team meetings
– Training and development
– Access to Centrepoint resources.

The duties and responsibilities outlined in this job description are liable to change to meet the needs of the business. The Support Services Manager will discuss and agree any significant changes that arise.  
 
Person Specification
 
Essential
– Eligible to live and work in the UK
– Full driving licence and use of vehicle with business insurance
– Minimum of 1 years’ experience working with young people
– Ability to understand the needs of vulnerable young people
– Have empathy and compassion in dealing with people that are in a crisis
– To understand professional boundaries and be able to maintain a professional distance at all times
– Understanding of equal opportunities and anti-discriminatory practice
– Experience of using office IT and able to write clear, accurate records
– An enhanced DBS check will be required.
 
Desirable
– A recognised relevant qualification (e.g. in social work or youth work)
– Experience of working in a residential setting
– Knowledge and understanding of support issues for vulnerable adults and care leavers, including people with behavioural difficulties, and of relevant legislation and issues
– Effective listening and communication skills
– Ability to use initiative and to prioritise and manage workload.
 
This position is part-time, working five hours Saturday and five hours Sunday, 11am – 4pm. You will need to be flexible to respond to the needs of the organisation.  Flexibility on travel within West Berkshire will be expected.

Why work for Bridge for Young People
– Opportunity to develop your career
– Supporting young people and making a difference
– Your working environment will be based across BfYP homes
– Training opportunities to enhance your skills and knowledge
– Team approach of working and partnership working
– Working in a strength based and holistic way of supporting young people.
 
To apply for this role, please email your CV to [email protected].