Emotional support worker jobs

Support Worker – Children’s Homes (Days or Nights)
Contract: Permanent
Salary: £27,248 – £29,490 (up to £30,682 with progression)
• Day role: £27,248 per annum
• Night role: £29,490 per annum
Hours: 40 hours per week, shift work including weekends, bank holidays and occasional sleep-ins
Sleep-ins: £50 per session
Overtime/Bank Holidays: Paid at enhanced rates
Locations: Ealing (W13) or Balham (SW12)

Are you looking for excellent training, therapeutic support and clear career progression? Join our committed team and make a real difference to young people living in residential care, where no two days are the same.

About Us

We have a strong history of providing fostering, children’s homes and leaving-care services across the UK and the Isle of Man. Our work is underpinned by therapeutic expertise, and we place young people at the centre of everything we do. We support children and young people who are unable to remain in their parental or foster placements, offering positive, life-changing experiences, education support and life-skills development.

When you join us, you will receive a tailored development plan based on your goals. Whether you wish to progress into leadership, move services or develop further in your current role, we will support you throughout your journey.

The Role

As a Support Worker in a Children’s Home, you will provide direct care and support to young people aged 12–17 with complex emotional and mental health needs, including experiences of trauma and loss. Working within a therapeutic framework, you will build safe, trusting and professional relationships, support emotional regulation, and promote positive outcomes.

You will be responsible for safeguarding young people, supporting daily routines, liaising with professionals, and completing accurate support and care documentation. For Waking Night roles, on-call management support is provided, along with monthly team meetings and one-to-one supervision.

About You

You will have:
• At least 1 year’s experience supporting children or young people in residential, fostering, semi-independent or youth work settings
• A willingness to achieve the Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare within 2 years
• A genuine commitment to helping children and young people reach their full potential
• An understanding of safeguarding and professional boundaries
• The ability to manage challenging behaviour effectively
• Strong communication and teamwork skills
• Flexibility to work shifts, including weekends, bank holidays and sleep-ins
• A commitment to ongoing training and development
• Creativity, enthusiasm and resilience

What We Offer

• A paid 4-week induction and training programme
• Clear career progression and tailored development plans
• Industry-leading training, including Level 3 qualifications
• 25 days annual leave rising to 27 days, plus bank holidays (pro-rata)
• Contributory pension, enhanced maternity and sick pay
• Life assurance (3x salary)
• BUPA employee assistance programme
• Cycle to work scheme and Blue Light Card discounts
• Employee awards and funded training opportunities

Recruitment Process

Applications must be submitted via our online form and include a supporting statement addressing the Person Specification. CVs are not accepted. The process includes an online situational test, interview, and a home visit.

Closing date: 26 February 2026

Family Support Worker - Greater Manchester

Maternity Cover up to 12 months

£24,000 pa + Company Car and benefits (including 25 days annual leave, reward scheme and pension)

Greater Manchester region

Rainbow Trust Children’s Charity is going through an exciting time where we are growing, with the aim of reaching more families in need.

About the role:

We are looking to appoint a Family Support Worker for a fixed term period of up to 12 months, on a full-time basis (35 hours per week), to deliver a high-quality family support service as part of our Greater Manchester Care Team.

Reporting to the Family Support Manager of the Greater Manchester Care Team and working in partnership with health, education and social care professionals, you will take responsibility for providing needs-led emotional, social and practical support to families where a child/young person has a life threatening or terminal illness.

Having worked in a demanding and emotional environment you have a genuine interest in building supportive relationships and helping people; and having provided bereavement support to families, you understand processes of grief, loss and change - and how best to help others deal with its impact.

What we’re looking for:

· An experienced child health, education or social care professional - applications will be particularly welcome from those who have worked in a community environment and those with a recognised qualification in education, health or social care

· A warm, inclusive approach to achieving goals quickly and correctly

· Practiced in child protection, information sharing and the rules around data protection - you lead by example, drawing on your own professional experience and working within established guidelines

· Practical and people-oriented - you will thrive working at a fast pace whilst maintaining accuracy and be a confident user of IT (including MSOffice)

· A persuasive and open communicator - you will work collaboratively with your team and volunteers to ensure delivery of a high-quality service and support fundraising colleagues by writing case studies and family updates

· A practical knowledge of diversity issues affecting children, young people and their families – aware that being responsive to others needs and concerns, is essential.

What we offer:

We are a Best Companies Two-Star rated organisation, an outstanding place to work! We have a range of fantastic benefits that we offer our employees, including:

· Flexible working hours to balance home and working life

· Employee Assistance Programme with access to remote GP, counselling, physiotherapy, resources to support your mental health and financial wellbeing, as well as a 24/7 helpline via Help@Hand

· Company car for front line care posts

· 25 days of annual leave plus public holidays – rising to 26 days after 1 year, 27 days after 5 years and 30 days after 11 years, with an additional 5 years to use in your 10th or 20th year of service (pro rata for part time)

· Time off in Lieu

· Access to the Blue Light Card Scheme, and other rewards and discounts

· Bike to work, season ticket loan and payroll giving schemes

· A recommend a friend recruitment bonus scheme

· Family friendly policies, focused on employee wellbeing, and an active cross-organisational wellbeing group running a number of initiatives throughout the year

· Pension scheme where we contribute 5% of your salary and you contribute at least 3%

· The option to buy/sell annual leave, as well as additional leave for your birthday, wedding/civil ceremony and an extra half day off for Christmas shopping

· Robust training and development programmes to support your learning and growth

As part of our learning and development Anne Harris Skills Development Programme, we aim to provide a high level of training and development opportunities for all staff, so you are able to perform to the best of your ability, achieve individual and team objectives aligned to Rainbow Trusts strategic plan, supporting staff to be their best and feel a valued member of a high performing organisation.

Our Family Support Teams are given the opportunity to complete a number of diverse training courses in their first 12 months, including but not limited to: Mental Health First Aid, Makaton, introduction to play, drawing and talking training.

The programme aims to provide a building block for you to individually tailor your own learning and development needs.

About us:

Rainbow Trust Children’s Charity enables families who have a child with a life-threatening or terminal illness to make the most of time together, providing expert, practical and emotional support, where they need it for as long as it is needed. For families living with childhood illness, time is everything. Right now, there are too many families coping alone with no support, no time to think, no time to make memories and no time for each other. We believe that no family should go through this alone, so we are here to change that.

How to apply:

Please visit our website and apply online.

Please disclose on your application form if you have used AI for any part of your job application.

Interviews will take place at our Greater Manchester Care Team office with the dates to be confirmed. We will only contact those applicants who have been successful. If you require any adjustments during the interview process, please let us know.

There will be a requirement for flexible working and a full current driver’s licence to accommodate team and family need. An enhanced DBS disclosure will be required for this post.

Rainbow Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all employees to share this commitment.

Rainbow Trust is an equal opportunities employer and we welcome applications from all backgrounds.

Family Support Worker 

Maternity Cover up to 12 months

£24,000 pa + Company Car and benefits (including 25 days annual leave, reward scheme and pension)

Essex and surrounding areas, including Romford, Ilford, Harlow, Loughton, Chelmsford

Rainbow Trust Children’s Charity is going through an exciting time where we are growing, with the aim of reaching more families in need.

About the role:

We are looking to appoint a Family Support Worker for a fixed term period of up to 12 months, on a full time basis (35 hours per week) to deliver a high-quality family support service as part of our Essex Care Team.

Reporting to the Family Support Manager of the Essex Care Team and working in partnership with health, education and social care professionals, you will take responsibility for providing needs-led emotional, social and practical support to families where a child/young person has a life threatening or terminal illness.

Having worked in a stressful and emotional environment you have a genuine interest in building supportive relationships and helping people; and having provided bereavement support to families, you understand processes of grief, loss and change - and how best to help others deal with its impact.

Location:

This role covers Essex and surrounding areas, including Romford, Ilford, Harlow, Loughton & Chelmsford.

What we’re looking for:

· An experienced child health, education or social care professional - applications will be particularly welcome from those who have worked in a community environment and those with a recognised qualification in education, health or social care

· A warm, inclusive approach to achieving goals quickly and correctly

· Practiced in child protection, information sharing and the rules around data protection - you lead by example, drawing on your own professional experience and working within established guidelines

· Practical and people-oriented - you will thrive working at a fast pace whilst maintaining accuracy and be a confident user of IT (including MSOffice)

· A persuasive and open communicator - you will work collaboratively with your team and volunteers to ensure delivery of a high-quality service and support fundraising colleagues by writing case studies and family updates

· A practical knowledge of diversity issues affecting children, young people and their families – aware that being responsive to others needs and concerns, is essential.

What we offer:

· We have a range of fantastic benefits that we offer our employees, including:

· Flexible working hours to balance home and working life

· Employee Assistance Programme with access to remote GP, counselling, physiotherapy, resources to support your mental health and financial wellbeing, as well as a 24/7 helpline via Help@Hand

· Company car for front line care posts

· 25 days of annual leave plus public holidays – rising to 26 days after 1 year, 27 days after 5 years and 30 days after 11 years, with an additional 5 years to use in your 10th or 20th year of service (pro rata for part time)

· Time off in Lieu

· Access to the Blue Light Card Scheme, and other rewards and discounts

· Bike to work, season ticket loan and payroll giving schemes

· A recommend a friend recruitment bonus scheme

· Family friendly policies, focused on employee wellbeing, and an active cross-organisational wellbeing group running a number of initiatives throughout the year

· Pension scheme where we contribute 5% of your salary and you contribute at least 3%

· The option to buy/sell annual leave, as well as additional leave for your birthday, wedding/civil ceremony and an extra half day off for Christmas shopping

Robust training and development programmes to support your learning and growth

If you’d like to find out more about these benefits and working with us, please visit our website.

As part of our learning and development Anne Harris Skills Development Programme, we aim to provide a high level of training and development opportunities for all staff, so you are able to perform to the best of your ability, achieve individual and team objectives aligned to Rainbow Trusts strategic plan, supporting staff to be their best and feel a valued member of a high performing organisation.

Our Family Support Teams are given the opportunity to complete a number of diverse training courses in their first 12 months, including but not limited to: Mental Health First Aid, Makaton, counselling skills, introduction to play.

The programme aims to provide a building block for you to individually tailor your own learning and development needs.

About us:

Rainbow Trust Children’s Charity enables families who have a child with a life-threatening or terminal illness to make the most of time together, providing expert, practical and emotional support, where they need it for as long as it is needed. For families living with childhood illness, time is everything. Right now, there are too many families coping alone with no support, no time to think, no time to make memories and no time for each other. We believe that no family should go through this alone, so we are here to change that.

How to apply:

Please visit our website via the link and apply online.

Interview Date to be confirmed

Please disclose on your application form if you have used AI for any part of your job application.

Interviews will take place at our Essex Care Team office with the dates to be confirmed. We will only contact those applicants who have been successful. If you require any adjustments during the interview process, please let us know.

There will be a requirement for flexible working and a full current driver’s licence to accommodate team and family need. An enhanced DBS disclosure will be required for this post.

Rainbow Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all employees to share this commitment.

Rainbow Trust is an equal opportunities employer and we welcome applications from all backgrounds. We are a Best Companies One-Star rated organisation.

About Us

We are Kinship, the leading kinship care charity in England and Wales. We’re here for kinship carers - friends or family who step up to raise a child when their parents aren’t able to. Our mission is to ensure kinship families are recognised, valued, and supported. We provide advice, training, and community connections to help carers navigate the challenges of raising children in kinship care. Together, we campaign for change so that every kinship family gets the support they need.

About the role

Kinship Connected is an evidence-informed 6-month intervention for kinship carers. It is delivered in the home and in the community. As a Kinship Family Worker for Kinship Connected, you will deliver our flagship programme to families in Surrey. You will provide intensive one-to-one support to kinship carers to empower them to become resilient, well informed and equipped with a strong support network to help them care for the children in their care. You will help them to navigate their local ecosystems and support them to unlock community assets and support.

Alongside this, you will play a key role in the delivery of Kinship’s Ready Programme in Surrey, ensuring kinship carers are supported to access and engage with workshops and wider kinship services that meet their needs. The Kinship Ready programme is designed to support prospective and new kinship carers understand their journey to becoming Special Guardians.

You will be committed to the work of Kinship, passionate about making a difference to the lives of vulnerable families, and you will have proven experience of working with families, particularly those in more disadvantaged circumstances.

You’ll bring excellent relationship building, communication and organisational skills, as well as the ability to work on your own initiative and collaboratively with partners, both externally and internally.

Key responsibilities:

One-to-one support

You will provide intensive one-to-one support, directly to kinship carers for up to six-months working within the Kinship Connected delivery model. This may include, but is not limited to:

• 1:1 emotional support
• Advocacy support in meetings
• Supporting kinship carers to attend a peer support group
• Liaising with local organisations that can offer specialised support and training
• Liaising with schools or other organisations
• Supporting kinship carers with the behaviour of the child/ children in their care
• Signposting to other support services
• Grants – support with grant application for essential items and holiday breaks
• Setting up and facilitating a monthly support group within your commissioned area
• Signposting carers to Kinship training opportunities or organising targeted training workshops within your LA

Ready Programme delivery and coordination

As part of your role, you will support the effective delivery of Kinship’s Ready Workshops, working closely with the internal colleagues and the local authority. Responsibilities include:

• Booking kinship carers onto Ready workshops and supporting their engagement throughout the programme
• Registering carers via scheduled phone calls, ensuring they understand the programme and feel supported to attend
• Identifying and responding to any additional needs carers may have, including reasonable adjustments, access needs or emotional support, and signposting appropriately
• Referring carers to other Kinship services such as Kinship’s Advice service, Peer to Peer and Training and Support
• Occasionally assisting with the delivery of Ready Programme workshops online
• Completing administrative tasks related to the programme, including registering attendance, maintaining accurate participant records and updating internal systems
• Collating feedback, monitoring outcomes and gathering other relevant data to support evaluation, reporting and continuous improvement of the Ready Programme

Knowledge, abilities, skills and experience:

Essential:

Experience

· Experience of family work and undertaking needs assessments both in person and remotely

· Experience of setting up and facilitating support groups on an in-person and remote basis.

· Experience of working with statutory, voluntary and community networks and the ability to represent the organisation to external stakeholders.

· Experience of dealing with safeguarding

· Experience of using a Customer Relations Management system (CRM)

Knowledge, skills and understanding

• Knowledge and understanding of kinship care and the ability to learn quickly about the regulations and guidance relating to special guardians.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Proven track record of high-level administrative work and experience of working with a case management system to record interventions.
• Excellent organisational skills
• The ability to maintain confidentiality, in line with Kinship policies and GDPR
• IT skills and experience, particularly in Work, Excel, and CRM’s such as Salesforce
• Ability to work on your own initiative and manage your diary
• The ability to manage a complex and varied workload to successfully meet project deadlines and KPI’s.
• Right to work in the UK and a Full, clean driver’s licence.

Desirable:

• Personal experience of kinship care
• Experience in writing copy, case studies and newsletter articles as well as shorter reports
• Experience of using Salesforce database or similar
• Knowledge and awareness of the National Kinship Care strategy for England 2024

Kinship offers 30 days’ annual leave plus bank holidays (pro-rata for part-time). We have an excellent wellbeing offer including the Employee Assistance Programme and clinical supervision. We will invest in your professional development with training and career development opportunities.

Kinship is committed to championing equality, diversity and inclusion.  We believe our work is greatly enhanced by the varied backgrounds, experiences and views represented within our teams.  We aim to create inclusive teams, celebrate differences and encourage everyone to join us and be their true self at work.   We therefore encourage applications from anyone who fits our values, whatever their religion or belief, sex, gender identity, race, age, sexuality or disability and are actively seeking candidates that can bring real innovation and commitment to us. 

Application questions:

1. Motivation and role understanding

Why do you want to work for Kinship as a Kinship Family Worker delivering the Kinship Connected programme, and how does this role align with your values and experience?
Please refer to your understanding of intensive one-to-one family support and the additional responsibility of supporting carers to engage with programmes.

2. One-to-one family work and assessment

Kinship Connected provides intensive one-to-one support to kinship carers over a period of up to six months.
Describe how you would build trust and effective working relationships with kinship carers, both in person and remotely. Please include:

• Your approach to completing a carer needs assessment and setting SMART goals
• An example of how you have adapted your approach to meet the needs of a family facing challenges or disadvantage

3. Group work, programme coordination and administration

This role includes supporting the delivery of group-based support (running peer-support groups), including coordinating carers’ participation in the Ready Programme and occasional involvement in workshops.
Please describe your experience of:

• Booking or registering individuals onto groups, workshops or programmes
• Supporting engagement before, during and after sessions for peer-support groups and workshops/training referrals
• Managing associated administration (e.g. attendance records, data entry, feedback collection)

If you do not have direct experience, please refer to similar work you have undertaken.

4. Safeguarding, boundaries and managing complexity

Kinship carers supported through this role may experience high levels of stress, trauma and complex family situations.
How do you:

• Identify, respond to and escalate safeguarding concerns in both one-to-one and group settings
• Maintain professional boundaries while offering empathetic support
• Manage a varied caseload, prioritise tasks and maintain accurate records when working with families experiencing complex or crisis situation

15 hours per week / £26,765 per annum pro rata / fixed term until 31 March 2027 / working two days a week; Tuesday 10am-6pm and Friday 10am-6pm 

At YMCA DownsLink Group, our mission is to help children and young people have a fair chance to be who they want to be. We do this by providing a safe home, building life skills and self-confidence, and supporting emotional wellbeing and mental health.

Our Values - we do what’s right, we work with heart, and we build real connections - guide and shape how we show up for children and young people we support and for each other.

We are recruiting for an Emotional Mental Health Worker to support young people aged 11-25 living in Crawley and surrounding areas.

Mind The Gap Emotional Health Support offers young people an alternative way of accessing mental health support. The service offers support to young people who are struggling to find or engage with the right services. This support offer is youth-work based non-clinical support. Working primarily from Crawley Youth Advice Centre, you will deliver face-to-face sessions using evidence-based interventions to engage, educate and empower young people around issues affecting their emotional wellbeing.

Key responsibilities: 

• Offer seven sessions of support to each young person, including initial needs assessment and weekly sessions
• Lead on facilitation of emotional well-being and psycho-educational groups
• Support young people transitioning from specialist CAMHS/AMHS services
• Work systemically with parents/carers, educators, and health professionals
• Develop links with agencies and make appropriate referrals
• Promote service user participation and voice
•  Comply with safeguarding, health & safety, data protection and EDI policies

Qualifications, knowledge, and experience

• Knowledge of issues facing young people, especially those socially excluded
• Experience in safeguarding children and young people
• Ability to support appropriate mental health pathways
• Training in emotional wellbeing interventions or qualification in youth work
• Understanding of short-term support models

Please note that we are unable to offer a work permit or visa sponsorship for this role; applicants must already have the right to live and work in the UK independently.

An inclusive workplace We are committed to policies and practices of equity, diversity, and inclusion and to supporting our people to make sure our culture is consistent with this commitment. 

Accessibility If you require assistance or have questions regarding the application process, please do contact us.

YMCA DLG requires all staff and volunteers to be committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and to respond proactively to safeguarding concerns. 

Successful applicants will undergo a thorough background screening process, conducted by an accredited third-party provider. This includes an Enhanced DBS check (with Children’s and Adults’ Barred Lists) as well as comprehensive reference and activity check.

Location: Loughborough, England (Travel required to all Baca Services locations)
Contract Type: Permanent
Salary: £24,754 - £28,454 per annum FTE
Working Hours: 37.5 hrs per week (including evening and weekend hours on a rota)
Start Date: February 2026

About Us
Baca is dedicated to providing support and care to 16 to 18 year old unaccompanied asylum seeking children who are newly arrived in the country, helping them rebuild their strength, dignity, and hope for the future. We work closely with social workers and representatives from other agencies to benefit the young people in our care.

Role Overview
As a Support Worker, you will be a key worker for several young people in Baca's care, providing high-quality holistic and therapeutic support for their transition to adulthood. You will deliver services in line with Baca’s Theory of Change, ensuring the highest quality outcomes in physical and emotional wellbeing, education, employment, training, social engagement, and personal safety.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide high-quality support and care to young people, ensuring their holistic development.
• Work proactively to safeguard young people and resolve any issues that arise.
• Be a role model, offering care and compassion without discrimination.
• Support young people in developing essential life skills and preparing for independent living.
• Engage young people in education, vocational training, and hobbies.
• Foster positive relationships within the community and support social engagement.
• Plan and participate in day trips and annual residential weeks.
• Develop partnerships with social workers, solicitors, teachers, volunteers, and other partners.
• Maintain excellent communication and keep accurate records.

Requirements

• Alignment with Baca’s values and mission. Ability to respond to change and work as part of a diverse team.
• Self-motivated, proactive, and able to take initiative.
• Knowledge of safeguarding practices and issues faced by unaccompanied asylum-seeking young people.
• Relevant training or willingness to complete essential training within the first year.
• Experience working with young people, especially in cross-cultural settings.
• Excellent communication, organizational, and ICT skills.
• Driving licence and access to a car.
• Enhanced DBS check required.

Personal Attributes

• Approachable, reliable, and a strong team worker.
• Supportive, responsible, and personable.
• Flexible and able to work occasional evenings and weekends.

Holidays And Benefits

• 33 days’ holiday a year (pro rata for part-time staff) including bank holidays.
• Pension scheme
• Health & Wellbeing programme
• Free parking
• Casual dress

How To Apply
If you are passionate about making a difference in the lives of young asylum seekers and have the skills and attributes we are looking for, we would love to hear from you.
Please note: You must have the right to work in the UK for this role as Baca is not on the Home Office list.

Support Worker

We're looking for a kind, compassionate and resilient Support Worker to join our Mental Health Social Care Service in Flying Angel, Newham.

£28,808.00 per annum, working 40 hours per week.

Want to feel like you're making a difference? You'll feel at home here.

Our benefits include:

- Annual leave increasing up to 30 days with length of service

- Free DBS

- Exclusive discounts and cashback via Reward Gateway® and opportunity to buy a Blue Light Card

- Fully paid induction programme and further training

- ILM courses and Apprenticeship Programmes

- Cycle to work scheme

Support Workers will provide support to customers to help them develop their life skills, which they require to meet their assessed needs. In some cases, this will include providing physical, domestic, emotional and social care. They will work with customers to promote social inclusion and alongside other members of the team to promote independent living, encouraging customers to maximise their skills and choices.

What you'll do:

- Support customers to undertake all domestic tasks wherever possible, including practical assistance where they have not yet developed the skills, to ensure customers enjoy a high quality of accommodation

- Participate in the support planning and risk management, as facilitated by the lead Support Worker

- Carry out security duties to ensure the safety of the customers and premises

- Monitor the CCTV throughout the shift

- Enable customers to make full use of community facilities by providing support as directed

This is not an exhaustive list of all the duties and responsibilities that may be required from time to time and is subject to change in accordance with the needs of Look Ahead

About you:

- Exudes a warm friendly presence and open behaviour

- Prefers working as part of a group or team

- Is fundamentally calm and resilient, does not let emotion adversely affect them or obscure their judgement.

- Flexible

- Open to feedback and self development

- Enjoys social interaction and the company of others, joins in local activities to encourage customer involvement.

- Ability to cope positively with challenging and diverse behaviour

About this role: Based in Higher Openshaw, East Manchester, Justlife currently works across Manchester and Tameside providing one-to-one key work support to empower vulnerable adults housed in temporary accommodation (TA) to move towards more secure housing, independent living and improved health and wellbeing. The role of Specialist Support Worker involves playing an active part in the Specialist Support Team by supporting a caseload of clients that are experiencing housing vulnerability and taking part in regular outreach visits to TA’s across Greater Manchester on the Justlife minibus. The role requires the use of specialist knowledge and relationship skills to support clients with varying degrees of mental and physical health, addiction and trauma related issues to engage with health services and to access suitable housing solutions. The Specialist Support Worker is also expected to develop good working relationships with TA Landlords and Managers recognising the important role that they play in ensuring that their tenants experience of TA is as positive as possible. This will include advocacy in registering them for medical services and accompanying them to appointments, assisting them in addressing all aspects of physical and mental health and addiction needs, as well as advocating for them to get access to suitable housing and social security benefits. The role is dependent on excellent communication and collaborative working with colleagues and a variety of partners and professionals, including the Probation Service, local council services and other third sector organisations. The role requires a high degree of motivation in addition to creativity and flexibility to support people with multiple and compound needs. With a passion to work collaboratively with others for the good of our clients, and with experience of working in a related field in a voluntary or paid capacity. A high degree of emotional intelligence is required to support clients, many of whom have complex emotional needs, with backgrounds of trauma, neglect, abuse and involvement in the criminal justice system. In a role of this nature you will experience a range of emotions from joy to grief and as such it requires a high degree of resilience and self-awareness to cope with the emotional demands of the role. The role sits within a highly supportive team with all staff in receipt of regular line management and external clinical supervision; with reflective practice actively encouraged in team meetings.

Job Description

Job Purpose

To provide high-quality, person-centred care and support to adults with learning disabilities, enabling them to live fulfilling, independent lives. This role involves promoting health and wellbeing, safeguarding, and empowering individuals through respectful, inclusive, and rights-based approaches.

Key Responsibilities & Duties

Service user-Centred Support & Care

• Provide assistance with daily living activities, including personal hygiene, dressing, mobility, and medication prompting/administration as delegated and trained.
• Deliver person-centred care that respects individuality, culture, and preferences.

• Communicate effectively using tailored approaches, including non-verbal methods and assistive technologies.

• Empower individuals to make informed choices and participate in decision-making.

• Work collaboratively with families, carers, and multidisciplinary teams.

• Support people whose behaviour can challenge services with empathy and an understanding that the behaviour is caused by the environment and not the individual.

• Offer emotional and social support, actively listening and engaging service users in meaningful conversations and activities to prevent social isolation.
• Assist service users with meal planning and preparation, ensuring that specific dietary requirements and nutritional needs are consistently met.
• Assist individuals with mobility needs, including safe moving and handling practices.

• Use appropriate equipment and techniques to ensure safety and comfort during transfers and movement.

• Support service users in maintaining a safe, clean, and organised living environment, including light domestic duties, laundry, and grocery shopping.
• Facilitate service user participation in community activities, appointments, recreational outings, and educational/vocational pursuits.
• Engage in continuous professional development and reflective practice.

• Contribute to service improvement through evidence-based approaches.

• Support and mentor colleagues, sharing best practices and promoting a culture of learning. 

ob Title: Refuge Worker

Location: Hillingson. This is an on-site role, located within the London Borough of Hillingdon, there may be requirement to occasionally work in the London Borough of Hounslow
Salary: £28,857.12 per annum, Inclusive of London Weighting, which may not be applicable depending on your home location and any agreed permanent homeworking arrangement
Contract type: Full Time, Permanent

Hours: 37.5 hours per week 

This is an opportunity to join Refuge as a Refuge Worker to provide high quality practical and emotional support to survivors of domestic violence and their children living in our refuges.

The post holder will provide high quality practical and emotional support to survivors of domestic violence and their children living in our refuges. This includes safety planning and enabling women to access housing, welfare, benefits, and legal advice. A key requirement is to provide personal welfare support and to ensure that women are provided with a safe, supportive, and welcoming environment in accordance with Refuge’s philosophical principles. 

For further infomation regarding the role, please view our downloadable job pack. 

As part of this role, you will be required to participate in an out-of-hours on call rota

Please note that this post is restricted to women due to the nature of the role. The Occupational Requirement under Schedule 9 (part 1) of the Equality Act 2010 applies.

Closing Date: 09:00am 9 February 2026

Interview Date: 23 and 24 February 2026

Support Worker (Women’s Homelessness)

Esther Women Supported Community, Exeter (on-site)
25 hours per week | Fixed-term (12 months, with potential to extend)
£13.29 – £13.65 per hour | 6 weeks’ annual leave (pro rata)

Make a real difference in women’s lives

Are you passionate about supporting women to rebuild their lives after homelessness and trauma? Do you believe that everyone deserves more than just a roof over their head?

At Keychange, we’re looking for a Support Worker to join our Esther Community in Exeter — a small, specialist service providing safe, trauma-informed accommodation for women experiencing homelessness.

About Esther Community

Esther Community offers a supportive, all-female environment where women can begin recovery, rebuild confidence, and prepare for a more secure future. Our women’s provision consists of five self-contained bedsits, alongside shared communal spaces and a garden, creating a calm and respectful place to live.

As a Christian charity, we are inspired by Christ’s example of love and service — but we warmly welcome people of all faiths and none, both as residents and colleagues.

About the role

As a Support Worker, you’ll play a vital part in the day-to-day running of the service and in supporting women on their individual journeys. This is a varied and rewarding role combining practical support, emotional encouragement, and casework. There is some flexibility to autonomously choose your working hours to suit your schedule.

You will:

• Build trusting relationships with women and provide strengths-based, person-centred support
• Act as a key worker, supporting women to identify goals around health, wellbeing, housing, education, employment, and relationships
• Carry out assessments, support planning, reviews, and accurate case recording
• Support women to access benefits, housing, and external services
• Work closely with partner agencies to ensure joined-up support
• Help maintain a safe, welcoming, and well-run living environment
• Respond calmly and professionally to challenging or crisis situations
• Contribute to a supportive, values-led team culture

Who we’re looking for

You don’t need to tick every box — we’re looking for someone with the right values, attitude, and resilience, alongside relevant experience.

Essential:

• Understanding of the issues facing women who are homeless or vulnerably housed
• Experience supporting women with complex needs
• A non-judgemental, caring and flexible approach
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills
• Ability to remain calm in stressful or crisis situations
• Commitment to safeguarding and promoting women’s wellbeing
• Experience in supported housing or homelessness services

Desirable:

• Relevant qualification (e.g. social care, housing, mental health)
• Training in trauma-informed practice or mental health
• Knowledge of housing legislation or welfare benefits
• Experience with being a floating support worker

Occupational Requirement

This role is open to women only, under Schedule 9 of the Equality Act 2010. This is a genuine occupational requirement to ensure a safe, supportive environment for women who have experienced trauma and abuse.

Why work for Keychange?

• Be part of a supportive, values-driven charity with over 100 years’ experience
• Make a meaningful impact every day
• Access personalised learning and development opportunities
• Join a warm, collaborative team where relationships really matter

How to apply

Please submit your most recent CV to your application. 

Closing Date: 6th February 2026

Interviews will take place on w/c 16th February 2026

Starting Date: 2nd March 2026

If this role feels aligned with your experience and values, we’d love to hear from you. 

Residential Support Worker 

Do you have the ambition to make a meaningful impact on the lives of autistic children and young people?

At St. John's, we've been making a positive difference in the lives of children and young people for nearly 140 years. We are now looking for incredible Residential Support Workers to help us continue making that difference!

As a Residential Support Worker, you will work under the supervision and guidance of the Care Management Team, Senior Residential Support Workers, and Therapy Teams. You will support learners in all residential houses and the community, assisting with social and academic activities.

Our aim is to ensure all learners have equal opportunities to develop their independence and social skills, preparing them for adult life.

What will you be doing?

• Supporting learners with self-care and independence skills such as eating, drinking, washing, bathing, using the toilet, managing incontinence, dressing, mobility, and medication administration.
   
• Ensuring learners' care files are kept up to date and accurate.
   
• At the start of each shift, reviewing communication and log books, and liaising with staff at handover to ensure learners' needs are well documented and addressed.
   
• Establish supportive relationships with learners and encourage the development of stable relationships.
   
• Promote the emotional health and self-esteem of learners and support them through changes in their living situation and personal circumstances.

• Accompanying learners into the community to take part in social and recreational activities such as bowling, cinema trips, and dining out, helping them build confidence and enjoy meaningful experiences beyond the college setting. 
   

We are recruiting for our Ashington Gardens, College View, and Pier View homes. Residential Support Workers will primarily be based at one location but may be required to work flexibly across all homes as operational needs require. 

In return, we offer a fantastic working environment, generous holidays, career development opportunities, and more!

Please note that sponsorship for this role is not available at this time.

At YMCA DownsLink Group, our mission is to help children and young people have a fair chance to be who they want to be. We do this by providing a safe home, building life skills and self-confidence, and supporting emotional wellbeing and mental health.

Our Values - we do what’s right, we work with heart, and we build real connections - guide and shape how we show up for children and young people we support and for each other.

We are looking for Bank Supported Housing Support Workers to join our Our 16+ Older Looked After Young People (OLYP), Care Leavers and Unaccompanied Asylum-Seeking Children (UASC) services. Our OLYP services delivers specialist 24-hour supported accommodation where young people are supported to acquire the necessary skills in preparation for living independently, safely explore their increased freedom of choice and develop responsibilities associated with adulthood, whilst still having the appropriate level of support from an experienced team.

We adopt a trauma informed and psychologically informed approach to supporting our residents to help them build essential life skills, identify their goals and support residents into independent accommodation. We have a dedicated team of Support Workers, Night Workers and additional Bank Workers who provide support, guidance, and signposting around areas such as housing, budgeting, living skills, jobs and relationship building

Our Bank Support Worker roles are similar to our Support Workers roles, but they work on a more flexible, temporary basis – they are great way into the organisation and can be a stepping stone into other roles. 

You will be offered available shifts (day, evening, night, weekends and bank holidays) in advance and at short notice – you choose which ones you want to work.

In this rewarding role you will work proactively and creatively alongside young people providing support, guidance, and signposting around areas such as housing, budgeting, living skills, jobs and relationship building. You will contribute to the smooth and safe running of the services by providing consistency and reliability.

You will ideally have experience of working with a similar client group and a good understanding of the key risks, challenges and opportunities for young people.

If you’re enthusiastic about this opportunity but your experience doesn’t align perfectly with every requirement, we encourage you to apply anyway and demonstrate how your experience is transferrable. You may be just the right candidate. 

We are looking for a Key Support Worker to join Hummingbird Homes, a new and innovative supported accommodation model for young people aged 16/17 leaving care.

Be part of something genuinely differen

This is not a traditional support role. As a Key Support Worker, you will be part of a small, committed team offering relational, trauma-informed support to young people at a crucial point in their lives, helping them move towards independence with stability, dignity and hope.

Hummingbird Homes has been designed to bridge the gap between care and independent living, offering young people their own homes alongside consistent, trusted adult support in a nearby Support House.

Our Values

Everything we do at Handcrafted is shaped by our values. We are a Christian charity, and while we do not expect service users to engage in faith-based activity, our work is grounded in the following principles:

• Creativity Everyone can make something to be proud of

• Empathy We walk alongside people through challenges

• Empowerment Everyone can learn to take back control of their life

• Community We accept people as they are and support one another

These values underpin the way our Key Support Workers build relationships, respond to need, and create safe, supportive environments.

About the Role

As a Key Support Worker, you will play a central role in supporting young people living in Hummingbird Homes. You will work relationally and practically to help each young person develop the skills and confidence they need to move forward.

This is a hands-on, people-centred role that combines emotional support, safeguarding, practical life skills and community building.

Key Responsibilities:

• Build trusted, consistent relationships with young people aged 16–17

• Provide day-to-day support within the Hummingbird Homes model

• Support young people to develop independent living skills

• Maintain a safe, welcoming and supportive environment in the Support House

• Contribute to care planning, risk assessments and support reviews

• Work collaboratively with social workers, local authorities and partner agencies

• Support young people during challenging moments and periods of crisis

• Participate in rota-based working, including evenings, weekends and on-call

• Maintain accurate records and contribute to safeguarding and quality assurance

(Full responsibilities are detailed in the recruitment pack.)

The Support House – A Core Part of the Role

This role includes your accommodation made available rent-free for the better performance of this role

• A base for staff while on shift or on call

• A safe and welcoming space for young people

• A hub for community activities and relationship-building

Who We’re Looking For

We’re looking for someone who:

• Has experience supporting vulnerable young people or care leavers

• Is emotionally resilient, calm and able to build trust

• Understands safeguarding and trauma-informed practice

• Can work flexibly, including evenings and weekends

• Shares our values and is comfortable working within a Christian ethos

• Is committed to helping young people grow in confidence and independence

A full UK driving licence and Enhanced DBS are required.

Why Join Handcrafted?

• Be part of an innovative, relational model of care

• Work within a values-led organisation making real impact

• Join a supportive, close-knit team

• Receive ongoing training and development

• Play a meaningful role in transforming young people’s futures