Children Support Worker

Job Purpose

To provide high-quality, safe, and nurturing support to Looked After Children (LAC) in unregulated placements. You will promote independence, life skills, emotional well-being, and positive outcomes for young people in care. This support is often at short notice and offers a bespoke package of care for young people, often who have mental health difficulties and challenging behaviour. These placements are generally a solo placement.

Key Responsibilities

Direct Support:

• Support young people aged mainly between 10-18, often at short notice. These young people often have some form of mental health difficulties and challenging behaviour and have 24 hour supervision.
• Promote independence, life skills (budgeting, cooking, cleaning, employment/education), and personal development.
• Encourage and support engagement in education, training, and employment and sometimes accompanying the young person to their school or education setting.

Safeguarding:

• Ensure the safety and well-being of young people at all times.
• Follow safeguarding policies and procedures, including reporting concerns and working closely with social workers and other agencies.

Emotional & Behavioural Support:

• Build positive, trusting relationships with young people.
• Provide emotional support and respond appropriately to challenging behaviours using trauma-informed approaches and sometimes involving restraint.
• Support young people with mental health needs and emotional regulation.

Administration & Compliance:
Maintain accurate, clear records of daily logs, incidents, and progress.
Contribute to risk assessments, support plans, and reviews.
Adhere to policies, procedures, and regulatory expectations (e.g., local authority requirements, OFSTED guidance where applicable).

Multi-agency Working:

• Liaise with social workers, personal advisors, schools, CAMHS, and other professionals to ensure cohesive support.
• Attend meetings (e.g., LAC reviews, professionals’ meetings and risk management meetings).

Household & Environment:

• Help maintain a clean, safe, and welcoming environment.
• Support young people to manage their accommodation responsibly.

Person Specification

Essential Criteria

• Experience working with vulnerable young people (preferably Looked After Children or care leavers) including those with mental health difficulties.
• Understanding of safeguarding, child protection, and risk assessment.
• Knowledge of issues affecting care-experienced young people (e.g., trauma, attachment, CSE, missing episodes).
• Ability to promote independence and model positive behaviour.
• Good written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Flexibility to work shifts, including evenings, weekends, and sleep-ins.
• Commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion.
• Full UK driving licence with access to a vehicle and business insurance or willing to obtain.

Desirable Criteria

• Level 3 Diploma in childcare or health and social care.
• Experience in unregulated settings
• PMVA or MAPPA training (restraint training)