Most care jobs promise growth but leave you exhausted, underpaid and invisible. This one is different: you'll earn £32,425 to £34,501 a year, work a genuinely manageable 2 on, 4 off pattern with proper sleep-ins built in, and join a team that actually invests in your development. If you want to help young people build real independence while building a real career, read on
Picture this: you're supporting a 16-year-old who's never had stability. Over the months, you teach them to budget, cook a meal without panic, keep their tenancy safe. You watch them move from a fully staffed home towards semi-independence, then into their own place. That's not just a job task - that's a young person's entire future changing because you showed up and believed in them
The young people here come from complex backgrounds, often without a consistent support network. They need someone who can be calm in a crisis, clear about boundaries, and genuinely invested in their pathway towards independence. You'll work alongside social workers, education providers and other professionals, keeping detailed records and reports that actually shape each person's plan. This is collaborative, purposeful work
You'll be part of a team that doesn't just talk about values - they live them. The provider runs a phased support model that guides young people through real stages of growth, and you'll be the constant in that journey. Training is fully funded, including a Level 4 Diploma in Children, Young People and Families Practitioner, so you walk in ready to learn and walk out genuinely qualified. Career progression is real, not a poster on the wall
What you will be doing
- Provide person-centred support based on individual support and pathway plans, helping young people aged 16+ develop the independence skills they need - budgeting, cooking, cleaning, maintaining a tenancy
- Support engagement in education, training and employment opportunities, building on each young person's strengths and aspirations
- Build positive professional relationships while maintaining clear boundaries, responding calmly and effectively to safeguarding concerns, incidents and crisis situations
- Maintain accurate records including daily logs, risk assessments and key-work reports that feed into the wider support plan
- Work collaboratively with social workers, education providers and other professionals to ensure joined-up, consistent support
Why you will love working here
- £32,425 to £34,501 per annum depending on your qualifications - and a fully funded Level 4 Diploma in Children, Young People and Families Practitioner if you want to push that upwards
- A genuinely manageable 2 on, 4 off shift pattern with sleep-ins built in fairly, so you actually get time to live your life outside work
- Real benefits: NEST pension, health and wellbeing support via the Wisdom app, staff discount scheme, Blue Light Card access, plus free mortgage advice if you need it
- A team that invests in your development from day one, with clear pathways for career progression and a workplace culture built on collaboration, not burnout
- The genuine opportunity to change young people's lives while building a career you're proud of - this isn't a stopgap, it's a foundation
Is this you?
- You're compassionate and patient, but also resilient - you won't burn out when things get hard because you understand the why behind the work
- You communicate clearly, both face to face and in writing, and you're comfortable working independently including lone working shifts
- You hold a full UK driving licence and have reliable access to a vehicle - this role requires flexibility around evenings, weekends and the occasional unsociable hour
- You're willing to work flexibly across a 2 on, 4 off rota that includes sleep-in shifts, and you're genuinely open to learning and developing as a practitioner
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.