Senior Support Worker – Supported Accommodation
Job Location: Stroud (Gloucestershire County Council).
This is a Gloucestershire County Council job.
About the Role
As a Senior Support Worker, you will play a leadership role in delivering high-quality, trauma-informed support to young people and care leavers, promoting their safety, wellbeing and independence.
You will:
- lead shifts, ensuring effective staff deployment and high standards of care and support
- build positive, professional relationships that promote trust, boundaries and accountability
- support young people to develop essential life skills, including budgeting, cooking, self‑care, education and employment
- assess and manage risk, responding to safeguarding concerns and escalating where required
- support young people through challenges using de‑escalation and solution‑focused approaches
- contribute to support planning, helping young people achieve their goals and aspirations
- maintain accurate records in line with organisational and GDPR requirements
- promote a safe, well‑maintained environment, overseeing health and safety and property standards
- work collaboratively with social workers, personal advisors and partner agencies
- supervise, mentor and support Support Workers, modelling best practice
- deputise for the Registered Manager and Deputy Manager when required
- contribute to quality assurance, audits and continuous improvement of the service
You will be expected to uphold safeguarding responsibilities at all times and contribute to a positive, consistent and child‑centred culture.
About the Service
- Supported Accommodation provision for young people and care leavers aged 16–25
- 19 self‑contained studio flats, promoting independence within a supportive environment
- focused on developing practical life skills, emotional resilience and positive futures
About You
We are looking for someone who:
- has experience working with young people and/or care leavers
- has experience leading shifts or supporting staff
- understands safeguarding, risk management and trauma‑informed practice
- can remain calm under pressure and make sound decisions
- is passionate about supporting independence and positive outcomes
Essential Requirements
- Level 3 qualification in a relevant field (e.g. Residential Childcare, Health & Social Care)
- experience supporting young people (ideally aged 16–18) in supported accommodation, residential care, youth services, housing or similar settings
- experience leading shifts, coordinating staff or supporting team decision‑making
- experience working with young people with complex needs, including emotional dysregulation and risk‑taking behaviour
- knowledge of risk assessment, risk management and identifying safeguarding concerns
- experience of multi‑agency working with professionals such as social care, health and education services
- strong record‑keeping skills and experience using electronic case‑management systems
Working Pattern
This role operates on a weekly rotating shift pattern (Monday to Sunday):
- Week 1 – Morning shifts: 6:30am – 3:30pm
- Week 2 – Afternoon shifts: 3:00pm – 11:30pm
- Week 3 – Waking night shift: 11:00pm – 7:00am
Flexibility is essential, including weekends and bank holidays.
Important Information – Service Development
This Supported Accommodation service is currently progressing through its registration process and is not yet fully operational. As part of your induction, training and preparation, you will work within existing children’s homes across the Children’s Residential Service. This will provide valuable experience, strengthen your practice, and help you integrate into the wider service, ensuring you are fully prepared once Southfields becomes operational.
In accordance with Schedule 9, Part 1, of the Equality Act 2010, this role has a Genuine Occupational Requirement for the postholder to be aged 21 years or above. This is an essential and proportionate requirement to ensure the effective and appropriate delivery of the service due to the nature of the duties of the role and the ages and complex needs of the children and young people in our care.
Interview Schedule
Interviews for this post will be held on Wednesday 29th July and Wednesday 5th August.
Application Notice
We reserve the right to close an advertisement earlier than the stated closing date if we receive a suitable number of applications.
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