The Ark Project

Youth Support Worker - Young People's Services



Are you looking for a job where you can really make a difference but also have fun?

We are seeking an enthusiastic and dedicated Youth Support Worker for our Young People's Services in Bognor providing care and support for vulnerable young people aged 16 and over.

The Ark Project aspires to be recognised as proficient leaders in unique service provision. Our Children and Young People's Service has been set up in response for the need to accommodate young people and provide them with the necessary skills to maintain a tenancy and keep themselves safe and well.

We have sound principles for the way we run our service. Central to these is our belief that the rights of young people are paramount.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all the people we support, adults and children, and expect all staff to share this commitment.

Applicants must be aged 25 and over to meet the requirements of our contract with the Local Authority.

VACANCY DETAILS


The young people we support are at the heart of everything we do - they are wonderful individuals and deserve to be treated with respect, dignity and kindness. Our main priority, therefore, is to find staff with values, behaviours and attitudes to match our own.

This is permanent full time role of 39 hours per week. Sleep shifts are also available.

Hourly rate: Between £11.57 - £12.57 per hour depending on qualifications and experience.

Annual salary based on full time hours: £23,463 - £25,491
Annual salary with one sleep shift per week: £28,330 - £30,462
Annual salary with two sleep shifts per week: £33,198 - £35,434

COULD THIS BE YOU?

Your duties will be varied and no two days will be the same. You'll be providing support for day-to-day living, helping our young people gain access to education, health care and any other professionals or services they need along with supporting them with general household duties such as cooking, cleaning and money management.

As a Youth Support Worker you will be expected to:

  • Support Tenancies and Personal Care: Assist young people with understanding and maintaining tenancies, personal care, and transitioning in and out of tenancies.
  • Skill Development and Empowerment: Facilitate individual skills training, encourage informed decision-making, and provide new experiences within safe risk-taking guidelines.
  • Community and Healthcare Access: Enable access to leisure activities, community services, and healthcare planning, building local relationships and escorting as needed.
  • Key Worker Responsibilities: Act as a Key worker, updating support plans, conducting outcome-focused sessions, and preparing reports for reviews and case conferences.
  • Liaison and Confidentiality: Liaise with external agencies, maintain confidentiality, observe and report behaviours, and ensure documentation is up to date in accordance with policies.
  • Operational Duties: Participate in shift work, including weekends and holidays, assist with financial management, household tasks, medication, and uphold equal opportunities and safety standards.


Our services operate 24/7, so you will work in shifts to meet the needs of the young people (as allocated by your manager). We will try to work as flexibly as possible, but this means you may need to work early mornings, late evenings, weekends and bank holidays. You may also be given the option to cover the occasional sleep-in shift.

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE

  • Prioritises kindness, compassion, and the ability to maintain boundaries in youth support work.
  • While qualifications are preferred, they are not the most important factor in our hiring process.
  • For those interested in career advancement, we offer apprenticeship opportunities and provide full support to help you achieve this goal.
  • Completing an apprenticeship will also result in an increase in your monthly pay rate.

WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU


  • Free DBS check and access to the DBS update service.
  • Holiday pay and 29 day’s holiday pro-rata (includes 8 bank holidays plus an extra day’s leave for your birthday).
  • Time and a half paid for bank holiday shifts.
  • Flexible hours and a variety of shifts available.
  • Every other weekend off with a predictable shift pattern allowing you to plan your free time.
  • A contributory pension scheme.
  • Access to a national retail and leisure discount scheme (Blue Light Card).
  • Access to an Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)
  • Casual dress.
  • Career development and free training provided including fully funded apprenticeship opportunities up to Level 5 in Leadership and Management giving you a clear pathway into a management role (dependent on achieving your targets).
  • Refer a friend bonus of £150 on successful recruitment plus an additional £250 if they successfully pass their probationary period.

HOW TO APPLY


If you feel this role is for you, we want to hear from you!

You can apply for this role by completing our online application form here.

You can also please contact us by completing our contact form or emailing HR@ark-project.org.uk. We can then get in touch to discuss the role, the hours and answer any further questions you may have.