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Supported Living
Support Worker
Map Pin icon Map Pin decorative icon Reading Briefcase icon Briefcase decorative icon Full-time Pound Sterling icon Pound Sterling decorative icon Competitive Calendar icon Calendar decorative icon Posted 30 May 2026
Job Description
Post-16 Support Worker Job Description
Role Purpose
The Post-16 Support Worker provides tailored support to young people aged 16 and over, helping them develop the skills, confidence, and independence needed to achieve their personal, educational, employment, and life goals. The role focuses on empowering young people to make informed choices, overcome barriers, and successfully transition into adulthood.
Key Responsibilities
- Build positive, professional relationships with young people and their families.
- Provide one-to-one and group support tailored to individual needs and aspirations.
- Support young people in accessing education, training, apprenticeships, employment, and volunteering opportunities.
- Assist with developing independent living skills, including budgeting, cooking, travel training, and managing appointments.
- Support young people with goal setting, action planning, and personal development.
- Promote emotional wellbeing, resilience, and self-confidence.
- Advocate for young people and ensure their views and wishes are represented.
- Liaise with colleges, employers, training providers, social workers, healthcare professionals, and other agencies.
- Support young people to access community resources and specialist services.
- Monitor progress, review support plans, and maintain accurate records.
- Safeguard young people and report concerns in line with organisational policies and procedures.
- Promote equality, diversity, inclusion, and person-centred practice.
Essential Skills And Qualities
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
- Ability to engage, motivate, and inspire young people.
- Empathetic, patient, and non-judgemental approach.
- Strong organisational and time-management skills.
- Ability to build trust while maintaining professional boundaries.
- Problem-solving and conflict-resolution skills.
- Ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team.
- Good report-writing and record-keeping skills.
- Understanding of safeguarding and the needs of vulnerable young people.
- Ability to promote independence while providing appropriate support.
- Cultural awareness and commitment to inclusive practice.
Desirable Skills And Experience
- Experience working with young people aged 16–25.
- Knowledge of further education, employment pathways, apprenticeships, and supported internships.
- Understanding of Special Educational Needs and Disabilities, SEND.
- Experience supporting care leavers, young people with additional needs, or those at risk of social exclusion.
- Knowledge of transition planning and preparing for adulthood frameworks.
- Relevant qualification in Health and Social Care, Youth Work, Education, Social Care, or a related field.
Core Values
A Post-16 Support Worker Should Demonstrate
- Respect and dignity for every young person.
- A person-centred and strengths-based approach.
- Commitment to empowering young people to reach their full potential.
- Integrity, professionalism, and accountability.
- Compassion, patience, and resilience.
- A belief in promoting independence, inclusion, and positive life outcomes.
Requirements
- Circle Check icon Circle Check decorative icon Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
- Circle Check icon Circle Check decorative icon Ability to engage, motivate, and inspire young people
- Circle Check icon Circle Check decorative icon Empathetic, patient, and non-judgemental approach
- Circle Check icon Circle Check decorative icon Strong organisational and time-management skills
- Circle Check icon Circle Check decorative icon Ability to build trust while maintaining professional boundaries
- Circle Check icon Circle Check decorative icon Problem-solving and conflict-resolution skills
- Circle Check icon Circle Check decorative icon Ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team
- Circle Check icon Circle Check decorative icon Good report-writing and record-keeping skills
- Circle Check icon Circle Check decorative icon Understanding of safeguarding and the needs of vulnerable young people
- Circle Check icon Circle Check decorative icon Ability to promote independence while providing appropriate support
- Circle Check icon Circle Check decorative icon Cultural awareness and commitment to inclusive practice
- Circle Check icon Circle Check decorative icon Experience working with young people aged 16–25
- Circle Check icon Circle Check decorative icon Knowledge of education, employment pathways, apprenticeships, and supported internships
- Circle Check icon Circle Check decorative icon Understanding of SEND
- Circle Check icon Circle Check decorative icon Experience supporting care leavers, young people with additional needs, or those at risk of social exclusion
- Circle Check icon Circle Check decorative icon Relevant qualification in Health and Social Care, Youth Work, Education, Social Care, or a related field
Benefits
- Circle Check icon Circle Check decorative icon Competitive salary
- Circle Check icon Circle Check decorative icon Meaningful role supporting young people aged 16 and over
- Circle Check icon Circle Check decorative icon Opportunity to help young people build confidence and independence
- Circle Check icon Circle Check decorative icon Supportive multidisciplinary working environment
- Circle Check icon Circle Check decorative icon Training and development opportunities
- Circle Check icon Circle Check decorative icon Chance to support education, employment, and life skills outcomes
- Circle Check icon Circle Check decorative icon Rewarding work helping young people transition into adulthood
Interested in this role?
Apply now and our team will be in touch within 24 hours to discuss this opportunity.
Job Details
Map Pin icon Map Pin decorative icon
Location
Reading
Briefcase icon Briefcase decorative icon
Employment Type
Full-time
Pound Sterling icon Pound Sterling decorative icon
Salary
Competitive
Tag icon Tag decorative icon
Category
Supported Living
Calendar icon Calendar decorative icon
Posted
30 May 2026
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