support worker

 FULL JOB DESCRIPTION

Employer:RAW

Position:Youth support worker

Salary:£28,000.00 per year.

Job Type:Full time Part time 

Work location:Oxford, England

Job Overview

We are seeking a compassionate, dedicated, and driven Youth Support Worker to join our Alternative Provision team. Standard educational pathways don’t work for every young person. We are looking for someone with a genuine passion to make a real, lasting difference in the lives of young people who need a different approach.

In this role, you will work closely with our education team, delivering hands-on support within our Woodwork Workshops, Youth Work activities, and Functional Skills teaching sessions. You will work with young people (up to age 16) facing Social, Emotional, and Mental Health (SEMH) challenges, neurodivergence, or complex life situations and barriers.

Whether supporting young people in small groups or on a 1:1 basis, you will help them navigate transitions, build confidence, advocate for their needs, and re-engage positively with learning outside traditional classroom environments. As RAW’s education services are ever growing we are looking for someone with the drive and passion to help shape and drive our provision alongside our organisational aims.

Key Responsibilities:

Practical & Classroom Support

• Work alongside the education team to support young people during Woodwork, practical sessions, Youth Work activities, and Functional Skills lessons.
• Deliver tailored support on a 1:1 basis or in small group settings to help young people engage with activities at their own pace.
• Assist young people in developing practical skills, emotional resilience, self-esteem, and social skills in a non-traditional learning space.

Individualised Support and Mentoring

• Develop trusting, positive, and non-judgmental relationships with young people, recognising and respecting their individual needs, goals, and learning preferences.
• Implement personalised strategies to support young people dealing with SEMH needs, neurodivergence, or complex life barriers.
• Actively listen to young people’s perspectives, ensuring their voices are central to their support and learning plans.

Educational Advocacy & Support

• Act as an advocate for the young person’s needs, working collaboratively with education staff, statutory services, and outside agencies to maintain an inclusive environment.

Transition & Engagement Support

• Assist young people through key transitions whether building toward re-engagement with education, moving into further training, or preparing for adulthood.
• Help young people navigate community settings, build social confidence, and develop self-advocacy skills.

Program Development & Facilitation

• Help create and lead small group workshops or 1:1 sessions focusing on functional life skills, personal development, and social emotional growth.
• Alongside our Education Lead work with local community organisations to build a wider network of opportunities and resources for our young people.

Monitoring and Reporting

• Maintain accurate, timely records of support provided, progress made, and key achievements.
• Provide regular updates to the senior management team and contribute feedback to refine and grow the provision continuously

Application Instructions:

Requirements

Qualifications & Skills

• Proven experience working with young people with complex SEMH needs, neurodiversity, or challenging life situations.
• Excellent communication, active listening, and relational skills with a natural ability to build rapport with young people.
• Practical aptitude or willingness to engage in practical learning environments (e.g., woodwork workshops and functional skills lessons).
• Relevant qualifications in Youth Work, Special Educational Needs (SEN), Teaching, or Social Work.
• Knowledge of local community resources and support pathways for vulnerable young people.
• Experience facilitating small group workshops or practical group activities

Experience

• 2+ years’ experience working directly with children or young people.
• Up-to-date Safeguarding training.
• Lived experience relevant to the barriers faced by the young people we support.
• Experience working alongside Youth Justice, Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) etc.

Personal attributes & qualities

• A genuine passion for supporting young people outside standard educational pathways.
• High levels of empathy, patience, resilience, and emotional intelligence.
• Flexible, adaptable, and comfortable working both 1:1 and in small groups.
• Driven, self-motivated, and eager to help grow RAW’s provision.
• Passion and ambition to actively contribute to expanding RAW’s education services.

Work Location: In person

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