UASC Support Worker - Unaccompanied Asylum Children

Salary £13,219 per annum (FTE £24,455pa)

Contract Permanent

Hours 20 hours per week – working 10am-2pm Monday – Friday, with the flexibility to be able to work evenings and weekends on occasion.

Location Littlehampton

This role will provide low‑level supported accommodation for Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children aged 16-25. As a support worker you will engage with young people to achieve their goals and agreed outcomes, work collaboratively with other relevant organisations to empower young people to make positive choices and to develop socially, personally and emotionally in order that they may grow in confidence and independence.

You will be expected to navigate local service provision, building strong relationships with a range of different professionals whilst advocating on the individual’s behalf.

Duties may include:

• To provide support of a minimum of 2 (up to
  4) hours targeted support work per week, per person, inspiring engagement and responding to service users’ needs as they work through their co‑authored support plans.
• To support and guide young people as they develop the life skills required to sustain genuine independence and fulfil their potential.
• To seek to improve the safety, wellbeing and development of young people, to prepare them for independent living in the future.
• To assist young people to access and maintain engagement with education, training and voluntary work experience.
• To liaise with personal advisors and the Home Office/solicitors to ensure that asylum claims are processed in a timely manner, and are able to support young people to appeal negative decisions.
• House management, environmental checks, cleaning.

In order to be successful in this role you will need:

• Relevant experience of working in housing, care or support services.
• Experience of partnership working with a variety of agencies, including health, housing, education and voluntary agencies.
• Experience in safeguarding – including reporting, and risk management.
• Experience and understanding of cultural diversity and the ability to work with people from a range of different cultures and backgrounds.
• Ability to organise and prioritise your work, ensuring you manage your own time and plan your workload to meet deadlines.
• Confident in using a computer and able to use Microsoft packages such as Word and Excel, and a client database.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, and the ability to communicate with a wide range of people.
• Ability to deal with challenging behaviour and ability to deal with issues of a sensitive nature.

The benefits of working at Stonepillow:

• Healthcare and wellbeing support including access to in‑app virtual appointments with NHS registered GPs and access to a comprehensive Employee Assistance programme with face‑to‑face counselling.
• A medical cashback scheme and retail discounts.
• Stakeholder pension, employer contribution of 5%.
• 25 days holiday plus bank holidays (pro rata).

Stonepillow is committed to safeguarding children, young people and vulnerable adults. All post holders are subject to a satisfactory enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.