Trauma informed Therapeutic Support Worker

PA Pages; Worthing; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Part time

Job summary

A family in need of support is looking for a compassionate Trauma informed Therapeutic Support Worker in Worthing. The role involves working with an 18-year-old to develop independence skills and provide patient, calming support. The ideal candidate should have trauma-informed training and the ability to regulate and attune to the individual's needs. The position offers 23 hours per week at £20 per hour, with flexible scheduling options. The role requires ongoing commitment as building trust will take time.

Qualifications

• Experience working in a trauma responsive way.
• Ability to read nonverbal signals.
• Curiosity about others' reactions.

Responsibilities

• Support the son to develop independence skills.
• Provide patient and responsive care.
• Assist with communication and regulation.
• Encourage participation in physical activities.

Skills

Trauma informed training

De-escalation techniques

Communication skills

Ability to attune and co-regulate

Experience with vulnerable individuals

Job description

Trauma informed Therapeutic Support Worker

23 hours pw, we are happy to consider splitting those hours between 2 suitable candidates, and to consider termtime or West Sussex school holidays only, or throughout the year.

I am looking to recruit an enthusiastic and compassionate person to support my 18-year-old son who lives with the impact of trauma.

The role will involve supporting my son to develop independence skills such as accessing community and services, volunteering, cooking, staying safe and developing safe relationships. The role also needs to provide patient, calm and responsive care, delivering a sense of security and stability.

• Are you curious as to why another person reacts in a certain way?
• Have you had any trauma informed training?
• Have you any experience of working in a trauma responsive way?
• Do you understand how the nervous system detects danger and responds as if under threat when it is now safe?
• Are you active and engaging?
• Do you have a playful approach where connection is the priority?
• Can you attune to another person and read their nonverbal signals they need to co-regulate?
• Can you support a young person who has speech and language and processing delay?

If this is you and you are keen to work as a team supporting a young man who is 18, read, understand and navigate a world where it once was not safe, and seems quite confusing at times, then you may be the person we are looking for.

The role includes working as a job coach supporting my son with his communication and regulation when he is working and volunteering. It also includes developing his independence skills as he experiences life as an adult.

My son is fun, has a great sense of humour and is keen to try new things. He loves cars, in fact anything with wheels! My son also loves reptiles, making complex Lego models and taking his RC car out on walks, finding places to have it crawl over obstacles. He is also an incredible weightlifter; he needs someone who can join in his physical activities, he is a great coach!

He is physically able; the person we need must have skills in a trauma responsive approach. There is opportunity for ongoing training and monthly therapeutic clinical supervision, and a Multi-Disciplinary Team to support the right candidate.

When in distress or upset he will communicate that in outspoken and verbally (or occasionally physically) aggressive manner. He has a vulnerable Nervous system and is easily triggered; he sees danger where there may not be. It is critical the person we employ can help him experience ‘felt safety.’

Those working with my son need to co regulate with him, help him navigate the world, narrating what they see to open his eyes to most situations are safe, and to other people’s views and intentions. The support worker needs to be skilled in de-escalation techniques and remain calm under pressure. The Support worker must take a trauma informed Neurosequential approach underpinned by the work of Bruce Perry and Dan Hughes.

Ideally you will have a car that can be used to get to places, but if you have the skills to encourage him onto public transport then we may be able to overcome that.

The post is based in Worthing, 23 hours pw @£20ph, we are happy to consider splitting those hours between 2 suitable candidates, and to consider termtime or West Sussex school holidays only, or throughout the year. It will take a while for my son to trust a person so please only consider this role if you are looking for longer term work.

Duties include:

• Other relevant duties as required
• Supporting accessing work
• Supporting accessing community
• Respectful of the employer's privacy and confidentiality
• Reliable with good timekeeping
• Patient and possess excellent interpersonal skills
• Honest and cheerful
• Increase ‘felt safety’ for my son
• Ability to attune and co-regulate with my son
• Ability to develop social communication skills for my son

Additional requirements

Non-smoker preferred or someone willing to refrain from smoking during working hours

Notes:

All applicants must have the right to work in the UK and be willing to undertake an Enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service check if required.

If you are successful in your application for this position, you will be either engaged directly or employed by the individual employer and not by Independent Lives. The role may be offered on an employed or self-employed basis, depending on the suitability and agreement with the employer. If the role is employed, you will be entitled to holiday pay and issued an employment contract.

Please note: If you do not hear back within three weeks of applying, unfortunately your application has not been successful on this occasion.

*Exemption for gender is claimed under the Equality Act 2010 Part 1 Schedule 9