Young Person Support Worker

About the role

The Young Person Support Worker provides trauma‑informed, day‑to‑day care for children and young people placed under a bespoke support package. Working in Durham, you will help create a safe, structured home environment that promotes wellbeing, education and community engagement.

Key responsibilities

• Deliver daily support as set out in the child’s care plan, including cooking meals, maintaining a clean bedroom and household.
• Promote healthy lifestyle choices through routine and structure typical of a family home.
• Support the young person’s engagement with education, training or employment opportunities.
• Foster positive relationships with neighbours and the wider community.
• Facilitate access to health appointments, broader support services and community, cultural and leisure activities.
• Provide transport when required, holding valid business‑use insurance.
• Encourage and arrange ‘Family Time’ contact with birth family members where specified.
• Listen to and act on the child’s views about their care, support and accommodation.
• Follow the Philomena protocol if the child goes missing and report to the appropriate social worker or duty team.
• Assist with move‑on plans and transitions.
• Maintain a daily logbook and share incident reports securely during handovers.
• Notify package managers immediately of any self‑harm, substance misuse, property damage or violent behaviour.
• Adhere to all safeguarding, health & safety and data protection policies.

Required profile

• Experience working with children or young people in a care or support setting.
• Understanding of trauma‑informed approaches and safeguarding legislation.
• Valid driver’s licence and appropriate business‑use insurance.
• Ability to keep accurate daily records and communicate incidents promptly.

Required skills

• None explicitly listed.