Worker jobs in Leicester

Join a growing Therapeutic service supporting children, young people and families.

Link Adoption & Family Support Service provides therapeutic support services for children, young people, and families across the UK. Much of our work is focused within adoption services, supporting adoptive families, children, and young people who have been adopted. We also provide therapeutic services to Special Guardians, kinship carers, and foster carers.

More recently, we have expanded our provision to support wider communities through partnerships with Barnardo's projects, health authorities, charities and voluntary sector organisations. Services are delivered both face-to-face and virtually across the UK.

We are seeking an experienced and passionate Therapeutic Social Worker to join our dynamic therapeutic services team.

This is an exciting opportunity for a qualified Social Worker to play a key role in coordinating therapeutic interventions that make a meaningful difference to the lives of children and families.

Working within a trauma-informed and attachment-focused service, you will manage referrals from initial enquiry through to case closure, ensuring children and families receive timely, appropriate support. You will work collaboratively  with therapists, commissioners, local authorities, and families to coordinate high-quality therapeutic interventions and help achieve positive outcomes.

The successful candidate will:

• Lead the assessment, planning and case management of therapeutic support packages, coordinating referrals from enquiry to closure and ensuring children, young people and families receive tailored, child-centred interventions.
• Provide safeguarding leadership, by assessing and managing risk, responding to safeguarding concerns, participating in the safeguarding duty rota and ensuring compliance with safeguarding policies and procedures.
• Offer professional consultation and support to therapists and practitioners, offering guidance on case management, safeguarding, risk management and best practice, contributing to quality assurance and continuous professional development.
• Build and maintain effective partnerships with families, social workers, health professionals and partner agencies, acting as a key point of contact and ensuring collaborative, outcome-focused service delivery.
• Develop and maintain relationships with commissioners and referral partners, providing outcome reports, attending review meetings and identifying opportunities to enhance service delivery and grow referrals.
• Contribute to the growth and development of the service by identifying and delivering new service opportunities, leading improvement initiatives, supporting business development, and deputising for the Practice Manager when required.

This is a hybrid role, primarily home-based with occasional travel for training, team meetings and service-related activities. The successful candidate will become an integral member of our multi-disciplinary team, working collaboratively to deliver high-quality therapeutic services to children, young people and families.

About You

We are looking for someone who has:

• Professional Social Work qualification and registration.
• Experience of safeguarding practice and risk assessment.
• Additional training or qualifications in therapeutic practice, trauma informed approaches, attachment, adoption support, or related areas would be desirable.
• Experience within adoption, fostering, kinship care, Special Guardianship, or related children's services would be desirable.
• Excellent assessment and analytical skills.
• Strong organisational and case management abilities.
• Ability to manage a complex caseload and competing priorities.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong relationship-building and stakeholder engagement skills.

If you are passionate about therapeutic social work and want to work in a role that combines safeguarding, relationship-building, service development, and therapeutic coordination, we'd love to hear from you.

Additional Information

You must demonstrate within your application how you currently use, or have previously used, the skills outlined above and within the Job Description and Person Specification. This may be through employment or other relevant experience. Applications should demonstrate an understanding of the context and demands of the service described.

Please note due to the high volume of applications for some posts, this advert might close before the displayed closing date.  We recommend that you apply for this role as soon as possible

Job description 

Job Purpose 

The hospital to home service works collaboratively with hospitals to support people when they are discharged from hospital to return home. As a Hospital to Home Outreach Worker, you will provide temporary, practical and emotional support to service users within their home and make sure they understand the care and local community services available to them.

The service is time limited, usually up to 4 or 6 weeks, to adjust and settle back in their homes. 

Key Tasks 

• Assess the needs of service user’s either in hospital before discharge, or in their homes, and understand what barriers and enablers there might be to moving home. 

• Aid the discharge process and improve patient experience through tasks such as:

• Key cutting

• Co-ordinating with colleagues for the setup of the home environment such as checking fridge for in-date food 

• Checking heating, electric and gas is functional prior to discharge 

• Allowing access to the property for cleaning/repairs and receiving equipment

• Provide and/or arrange the practical and emotional support needed to enable service users to return home and/or remain safely at home. 

• Be vigilant and make referrals/signpost for additional needs that our wider team, or partners can support. E.g. for benefit checks, energy advice, carers support, befriending.  

• Help maximise service user independence by adopting an enabling approach. 

• Develop a listening, caring and professional relationship with the service user and their families/carers. 

• Provide domestic practical support within the home such as:

• Light cleaning,

• Washing (e.g. bedding),

• Changing bed sheets etc. 

• Prepare and service drinks and simple meals with or for the service user ensuring nutritional needs are met. 

• Accompany service user outside the home e.g. hospital/GP appointments etc. 

• Support service users with other tasks e.g. making telephone calls on their behalf, reading and responding to correspondence, completing simple forms (training will be provided) as directed by the service user’s etc. 

• Ensure services provided by AUKEL in the community are safe and person centred. 

• Report safeguarding concerns, in accordance with AUKEL safeguarding procedures. 

• Provide cover in the case of sickness and annual leave periods of colleagues. 

• Support service user reviews, ensuring all visiting information is uploaded on to Salesforce. 

• Support volunteers in the team and provide support and guidance to their development. 

• Work with a range of professionals including: 

• Supporting health and social care professionals with patient discharge 

• Liaising with the hospital health and social care professionals (e.g. Social Workers) to facilitate smooth supported discharge. 

• Handypeople & contractors.

Administration  

• Input all records, reviews, and visiting information to service user’s case notes in a timely manner to maintain up-to-date and accurate records on Salesforce.

• Report all “no access” failed visits, or changes in service user’s condition or circumstances in accordance with AUKEL’s policies and procedures. 

• Ensure service user comment sheets are completed.

• Ensure service user’s feedback questionnaires are sent at the end of each intervention and record returns. 

• Submit travel expenses regularly for sign off by manager. 

Quality  

• Be familiar with and to implement AUKEL policies and procedures in line with our Values. 

• Ensure the service is delivered in accordance line with Care Quality Commission principals. 

• Ensure integration with other AUKEL projects, and service users are referred and/or sign-posted to appropriate support services available to them.

• Respond to safeguarding or other concerns and make appropriate reports and management action.

Liaison  

• Work in collaboration with other agencies providing support within the service user’s home. 

• Work under the direction of the service manager and project officer/s. 

• Represent AUKEL and participate in appropriate external meetings and events to remain aware of local, regional, and national issues affecting quality and compliance issues affecting care and home support services. 

 General 

• Meet regularly with your line manager for support, supervision, and appraisal. 

• Attend team and staff meetings, and other meetings as required. 

• Undertake any other duties within the competence of the post holder as may be required from time to time for the continued smooth running of AUKEL. 

• Complete any training which is required to fulfil the role. 

• Carry out the duties of the post in accordance with AUKEL policies and procedures including Equal Opportunities, Mental Capacity, Deprivation of Liberty, Food Hygiene, Health & Safety, Confidentiality, Complaints, GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation), Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults etc. 

• Work within AUKEL’s expectations of professional boundaries and confidentiality 

 Functional Links  

• The post holder reports to the manager /or Project Officer. 

• Close working with NHS health & social care professionals. 

• Close working with AUKEL internal departments e.g. Finance Team, Information and Advice, Befriending services, Community services, and our Handyperson services.

• Close working with external partner agencies e.g. Food Banks, Age UK Redbridge, Barking & Havering, and Age UK Waltham Forest. 

Ready for Your Next Leadership Challenge?

Do you have experience working with children and young people in residential care? Are you passionate about helping young people overcome adversity and achieve positive outcomes? Do you enjoy supporting colleagues, leading by example, and making a lasting difference?

If so, we have an exciting opportunity for you to join our Emotional Well-being Home in Leicestershire as a Senior Residential Children & Young People's Worker on a full-time, permanent basis.

About the Service

Barnardo's, the UK's largest children's charity, works in partnership with Leicestershire County Council to provide high-quality residential care for some of the county's most vulnerable children and young people.

Our homes provide safe, stable and nurturing environments for children and young people aged 8–18 who may have experienced trauma, disrupted attachments, loss, neglect, or other complex life experiences. We support a small number of young people at any one time, enabling us to provide highly individualised care and build meaningful relationships that promote emotional wellbeing, resilience, confidence and independence.

Our practice is rooted in trauma-informed, attachment-aware and relationship-based approaches. We believe every child deserves to feel safe, valued, listened to and supported to achieve their full potential.

Whilst this home will be your primary base, flexibility is required as there may occasionally be opportunities to support other residential services across Leicestershire.

About the Role

As a Senior Residential Children & Young People's Worker, you will play a key role in supporting the day-to-day operation of the home and providing leadership during shifts.

Working alongside the management team, you will help create a safe, nurturing and structured environment where children and young people can thrive. You will act as a positive role model, supporting colleagues to deliver high-quality care and ensuring that safeguarding remains at the centre of practice.

Do you have a passion for supporting children and young people to overcome challenges, build resilience, and achieve positive outcomes? Are you committed to providing safe, nurturing, and relationship-based care? If so, we would love to hear from you.

We are looking for a Residential Children & Young People's Worker to join our dedicated team within an Emotional Well-being Home in Leicestershire. This is a full-time, permanent position offering the opportunity to make a genuine difference in the lives of children and young people.

Our home provides a safe, stable, and nurturing environment for children and young people aged 8–18 who may have experienced trauma, loss, disrupted attachments, or other complex life experiences. We support a small number of young people at any one time, enabling us to provide highly individualised care and meaningful relationships that promote emotional well-being, confidence, independence, and long-term positive outcomes.

Our practice is rooted in trauma-informed and relationship-based approaches. We believe that every child deserves to feel safe, valued, listened to, and supported to achieve their full potential.

Key Responsibilities

As a Residential Children & Young People's Worker, you will:

• Build positive, trusting, and nurturing relationships with children and young people.
• Support children and young people with their emotional well-being, daily routines, education, independence skills, and personal development.
• Actively contribute to the creation of a safe, structured, and homely environment.
• Work alongside families, social workers, education providers, health professionals, and other partners to support positive outcomes.
• Participate in key-working sessions, care planning, and review processes.
• Promote and safeguard the welfare of children and young people at all times.
• Complete accurate, professional, and timely recordings and reports.
• Support the day-to-day running of the home, including meal preparation, household tasks, and community activities.
• Be a positive role model, helping children and young people develop confidence, resilience, and life skills.

What We're Looking For

To be successful in this role, you will be able to demonstrate:

• A genuine commitment to improving the lives of children and young people.
• The ability to build positive and meaningful relationships with children, young people, and colleagues.
• An understanding of safeguarding, child protection, and professional boundaries.
• Resilience, emotional intelligence, and the ability to remain calm under pressure.
• Strong communication and teamwork skills.
• A willingness to learn, reflect, and continually develop your practice.
• A Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare, or a commitment to achieving this within the required timeframe.
• Flexibility to work shifts, including sleep-ins, weekends, and bank holidays.

Previous experience working with children and young people is desirable but not essential. We recognise that people bring valuable transferable skills from a wide range of backgrounds and are committed to supporting the right candidates to develop within the role.

Why Join Barnardo's?

Barnardo's is the UK's largest children's charity and has been supporting children, young people, and families for over 150 years. We are committed to ensuring every child has the opportunity to thrive, regardless of their background or circumstances.

Working within our residential services offers the opportunity to:

• Make a lasting difference to children's lives.
• Receive ongoing training, development, and professional support.
• Develop your career within one of the UK's leading children's organisations.
• Be part of a supportive and values-driven team.
• Work within a service that places relationships, safeguarding, and positive outcomes at the centre of everything we do.

Our residential services are delivered in partnership with Leicestershire County Council, providing innovative and high-quality care for some of the county's most vulnerable children and young people.

While your primary base will be in Leicestershire, there may occasionally be opportunities to support other services within the county.

When completing your application, please refer to your skills, knowledge, and experience in relation to the Person Specification, Job Description, and Additional Information document. This should be done with an understanding of the context of the service described.

Please note that due to the high volume of applications received for some posts, this advert may close before the advertised closing date. We therefore encourage interested applicants to apply as soon as possible.