Most support worker jobs feel like you're managing crises from behind a desk. This one puts you in the driving seat, literally and figuratively, working one-to-one with young people aged 16-18 who need someone to believe in their independence. You'll be the adult who helps them move from surviving to thriving, building real skills for real life
Imagine spending your days helping a young person who's spent years in the care system suddenly understand they can live independently, keep a clean home, access a job, manage their benefits. That's what you'll do here. You'll write the reports that prove progress, attend the meetings where decisions get made, and be the constant, reliable adult who shows up
The young people you'll support come to you with mental health challenges, complex backgrounds, and sometimes no one else in their corner. You'll accompany them to appointments, help them access education or employment, remind them about medication, and offer the emotional support that actually changes trajectories. It's not glamorous but it's profound
This is outreach work, so you'll be based across the Cheshire East area, getting to know your caseload properly and building the trust that makes independence possible. You'll liaise with social workers, healthcare practitioners, the DWP and others who matter, writing detailed assessments and signposting to mental health services, counselling, education and drug rehabilitation support when people need it
What you will be doing
- Manage a caseload of young people aged 16-18, helping them build independent living skills through regular outreach support
- Conduct weekly property inspections and write detailed reports assessing each young person's progress towards independence
- Liaison with social workers, healthcare practitioners, DWP and other professionals to coordinate support and access services
- Support young people into and through education or employment, including job applications and workplace navigation
- De-escalate challenging situations, promote physical and mental wellbeing, and signpost to appropriate specialist services including mental health, counselling and rehabilitation support
Why you will love working here
- £26,832 per year, permanent contract
- Training and development support to build or consolidate your NVQ Level 3 Health and Social Care qualification
- Work that genuinely matters - you'll see young people move from crisis to independence
- A team of 300+ support workers across the service who understand this work and have your back
Is this you?
- You've got real experience supporting young people or families to gain independence - not clinical care, but the practical human stuff
- You hold a full driving licence, have access to a vehicle insured for business use, and are willing to travel across the Cheshire East area
- You hold an NVQ Level 3 Health and Social Care qualification, or you're genuinely willing to work towards one
- You're computer literate with a good grasp of Microsoft 365
- You understand safeguarding vulnerable young people deeply and you take it seriously
Applications close on 12 October 2026. Great roles like this are filled quickly, so the sooner you apply the better.
Safeguarding: We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All roles are subject to an enhanced DBS check and satisfactory references.