Lead Practitioner​/Senior Support Worker, AWD LTD

Lead Practitioner / Senior Support Worker – AWD RECRUITMENT LTD

Salary: £37,000 per annum + benefits (see below).

Location:

Newcastle upon Tyne, North East England (NE4
6) – Fully site based.

Job type:
Full‑Time, Permanent.

Working hours:

37 hours per week, Monday to Friday, day shifts – pattern to be agreed (additional casual hours available covering project support worker / night care worker duties).

We have a fantastic new job opportunity for a Lead Practitioner / Senior Support Worker to help enhance outcomes for individuals residing within Approved Premises. In this varied role, you will support effective rehabilitation and work collaboratively with partners to promote safer communities.

As a Lead Practitioner / Senior Support Worker you will take an active lead in resident engagement, activity planning, and delivering enabling environments. You will guide colleagues in maintaining high standards of practice while maintaining a small caseload and contributing to risk assessment and supervision work.

As a Lead Practitioner / Senior Support Worker you will also support staff development, champion equality, inclusion and diversity, and help create a positive, trauma‑informed and desistance‑focused environment that promotes meaningful change.

• Managing a Caseload:
  Deliver risk assessment, planning and supervision for high and very high‑risk residents
• Providing Leadership:
  Offer line management, coaching and supervision for designated staff
• Supporting Rotas:
  Assist with rota organisation and respond to last‑minute changes
• Developing Practice:
  Model best practice and support colleagues to maintain high‑quality standards
• Enhancing Engagement:
  Lead on interventions and ensure a full and engaging activity calendar for residents
• Inducting New Staff:
  Support the induction and integration of new team members
• Multi‑Agency
  
  Collaboration:
  
  Liaise with partner organisations and foster strong community links
• Monitoring Residents:
  Conduct checks, inspections and proactive engagement to encourage positive behaviour
• Providing Direct Support:
  Assist residents in meeting licence conditions and maintaining their safety
• Service Resilience:
  Offer keyworker and desk cover when required
• Supporting Equality and Inclusion:
  Attend EID meetings and contribute to inclusive service delivery
• Deputising:
  Act as deputy for the AP Manager when required

• Previous experience in the Probation Service or wider Criminal Justice Sector
• Experience of multi‑agency working
• Experience of supporting individuals with multiple and complex needs
• Understanding of equality, diversity and inclusive practice
• Proven experience of coaching and developing colleagues
• Experience of risk management and safeguarding
• Knowledge of desistance and trauma‑informed approaches
• Evidence of commitment to quality and service development
• Ability to motivate and support staff
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work autonomously and in a team
• Effective time management, planning and organisational skills
• Confident IT user able to work with information systems and data

• A background in line management

• 27 days annual leave + Birthday Day off (with the opportunity to buy additional days)
• 2 Volunteer Days
• Pension - 5% Employee 5% Employer
• Healthcare Cash Plan, incl. 3 x salary life assurance
• Annual salary review
• Refer a friend scheme
• Free access to Benefit Hub – an online portal with access to a wide range of retail discounts, cycle to work scheme, and additional voluntary benefits

This role is subject to an Enhanced DBS check with the additional barred list check. All required checks will be undertaken as part of the pre‑employment process for any successful candidate.

The organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff to share and uphold this commitment in conjunction with the requirements of the Prevent Duty and the positive promotion of modern British values.

Closing date:
Wednesday 31st December 2025.

Interviews will be face‑to‑face in Newcastle.

To be considered for this job vacancy, please submit your CV and short cover letter detailing how you meet the requirements of the role. CVs of job applicants meeting this requirement will be submitted to our client for consideration. By submitting your job application to us you are hereby giving us your express consent to submit your details to our client for this purpose.

JOB
-P14181.