Independent Living Skills Support Worker

Barnardo's; United Kingdom; On-site; GBP 22,000 - 28,000; Full time

Job summary

A community support organization in Swansea is seeking a dedicated professional to support care-experienced young people at risk of homelessness. You will lead interactive sessions, helping them develop essential life skills, and provide guidance in a supportive environment. Prior experience with vulnerable youth and strong organizational skills are essential. This role offers a dynamic, rewarding environment with a commitment to transforming lives through creativity and team effort.

Benefits

Comprehensive induction and training

Flexible working hours

Impact-driven role

Qualifications

• Demonstrated ability to create tailored support plans.
• Experience delivering group sessions like workshops.
• Strong organisational skills to manage priorities.

Responsibilities

• Lead one-to-one and group sessions to build independent living skills.
• Support young people living in training flats.
• Collaborate with professionals to create support plans.
• Engage with young people using digital platforms.

Skills

Knowledge of issues affecting young people

Experience of direct work with young people

Social media and digital platforms experience

Organisational skills

Job description

Are you passionate about empowering young people to thrive independently? Join our dynamic team and help shape brighter futures for care‑experienced young people and young people at risk of homelessness in Swansea.

About Barnardo's Swansea

We deliver services that support young people (14–25) to:

• Access help in times of crisis
• Understand the realities of independent living
• Develop essential life skills and confidence
• Build self‑esteem through social inclusion
• Develop key skills in preparation for the world of work

Our services include Believe Positive Destinations, Bloom (life coaching and befriending), Supported Lodgings, and the Transition and Training Flats Service—where young people experience independent living in a safe, supportive environment.

What You'll Do

As part of the Transition and Training Flat team, you'll:

• Lead interactive one‑to‑one and group sessions that build life skills, independent living skills and tenancy readiness
• Support young people in our training flats, helping them develop practical skills such as cooking, budgeting (including managing benefit claims), and managing bills
• Work flexibly across weekdays, evenings, and weekends to meet young people's needs. The service operates from 9am to 8pm Monday to Friday and 10am to 6pm on weekends. You will be expected to work one weekend in three. Sample rota available on request.
• Collaborate with young people and professionals to create tailored support plans and track progress using outcome‑based tools
• Create and deliver engaging content using social media and digital platforms to connect with young people in innovative ways

Why Join Us?

• Be part of a passionate, supportive team committed to transforming lives
• Benefit from Barnardo's comprehensive induction and training relevant to your role
• Use creativity and technology to make a real impact
• Enjoy a role where no two days are the same

What We're Looking For (Essential Criteria)

• Knowledge of issues affecting young people, especially those who are care‑experienced or at risk of homelessness
• Experience of direct work with young people in a relevant setting and
• Experience of delivering group session such as issue based workshops and independent living skills programmes
• Ability to create tailored support plans and demonstrate positive outcomes achieved
• Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage competing priorities
• Ability to travel independently to meet the requirements of the post
• Experience of using social media and digital platforms to deliver sessions and create promotional content

Additional Information:

You must demonstrate in your application that you currently use the skills outlined above, and those in the Job Description/Person Specifications, or have used them previously in employment, education, training, volunteering etc.

Although this contract has a permanent status, please be aware that this post is subject to funding currently until March 2027 and therefore should this funding not be extended further, you may be subject to a redundancy consultation or a TUPE arrangement. This contract is due to expire on 31.03.27

For further information contact Rachel Cooper on [e-mail]

Please note due to the high volume of applications for some posts, this advert might close before the displayed closing date. We recommend that you apply for this role as soon as possible.