Riverside
Specialist Support Worker
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Specialist Support Worker
Specialist Support Worker
Contract Type: Permanent Salary: £33,180.78 per annum Working Hours: 37.5 hours per week Working Pattern: Monday to Sunday, mix of early, late, and mid shifts Location: Bevatone House, Barnet
About the Role
If you share our values and are excited about making a significant impact at Riverside, please ensure you attach a current CV and covering letter. At Riverside, we recruit to potential—not just skills and experience—so we encourage you to apply even if you don’t meet all the essential criteria.
Notes:
- While we accept applications from candidates with valid legal permission to work in the UK, Riverside will not apply for any further sponsorships for existing colleagues or new candidates.
- This role involves working with sensitive information, so confidentiality is a critical requirement.
The Difference You Will Make
As a Specialist Support Worker, you’ll:
- Work collaboratively in a trauma-informed care approach to deliver practical and emotional support.
- Hold specialist knowledge in areas such as:
- Drug/alcohol misuse
- Mental health support
- Employment and training
- Volunteering
- Engage with local services and stakeholders to secure the best support for customers.
- Lead on asset-based support approaches tailored to individual needs.
Requirements & Qualifications
About You
We are looking for someone with:
- Recent experience in support work, risk management, and managing caseloads, particularly with vulnerable and diverse customer groups.
- Familiarity with safeguarding vulnerable adults—with a focus on specialist knowledge and continuous professional development.
- Experience in challenging environments, including balancing priorities, planning, and organisational skills.
- Strong relationship-building abilities with customers, stakeholders, and teams.
Why Riverside?
Riverside is a housing association with a mission to enhance everyday lives for all customers. For 90 years, we’ve:
- Revitalised neighbourhoods and supported communities.
- Provided affordable housing, social care, employment support, and retirement living solutions.
- Delivered 15,000+ new homes in the next decade.
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By joining us, you’ll enjoy:
- Competitive pay & generous pension scheme
- 25 days holiday + bank holidays
- Investment in learning, personal development, and technology
- Diverse benefits package
Diversity & Inclusion at Riverside
Riverside is inclusive, values diversity, and fosters a workplace where everyone is respected, empowered, and heard. We operate a Guaranteed Interview Scheme for applicants who declare a disability and meet the minimum role requirements.
Role Profile
Service Delivery
- Assist the Service Manager in planning, case management, and service delegation (e.g., delegating case management, managing workloads).
- Develop and maintain relationships with local services and stakeholders to improve customer access to community resources.
- Promote and adhere to Trauma Informed Care (TIC) and Psychologically Informed Environment (PIE) approaches.
- Produce reports, written documentation, and digital records to support service delivery.
- Collaborate in a multi-disciplinary team to safeguard customers.
- Design and lead group-based activities for service users.
- Share specialist knowledge with colleagues to ensure best-practice support.
- Follow health & safety and safeguarding policies rigorously.
Supporting Colleagues
- Manage service performance, meet contractual requirements, and provide coaching, upskilling, mentoring, and guidance.
- Offer specialist advice on targets, risk assessments, and safeguarding.
- Conduct needs assessments and risk evaluations for customers.
Supporting Customers
- Lead co-produced, bespoke customer support plans involving all stakeholders (e.g. family, support providers).
- Perform regular reviews of support and risk assessments.
- Identify and help customers access external support services.
- Follow local safeguarding procedures and act on risks promptly.
- Maintain clear, strengths-based digital customer records.
- Provide reactive, multi-disciplinary support as needed.
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Other Duties
- Work flexible hours, including evenings, weekends, and evenings.
- Travel across the defined service area as required (using the Lone Worker system where necessary).
- Uphold confidentiality (safeguarding GDPR, health & safety, dignity at work, cash handling standards).
- Align with Riverside’s core values ("Our Riverside Way").
- Attend team meetings, supervisions, and reflective practice sessions.
- Complete mandatory training and commit to continuous professional development.
- Perform occasional additional duties in consultation with your Line Manager.
About Us
Riverside is one of the UK’s leading not-for-profit social housing and regeneration organisations, managing 75,000+ homes across the UK. Our work:
- Tackles homelessness and social housing.
- Promotes community regeneration and diversity.
- Backs national plans for 15,000+ affordable homes in the next decade.
Our Values & Behaviours
- Creating an inclusive environment: Where every individual is valued and supported.
Person Specification
Essential Knowledge & Experience
- Recent experience in support work, risk management, and caseload management with vulnerable adults (Bringing ‘specialist knowledge’ in areas like drug/alcohol misuse, mental health, employment training).
- Ability to work in challenging environments with prioritisation, organisation, and problem-solving skills.
- Strong relationship-building and communication abilities with a focus on empathy and feedback.
- Conflict resolution skills and a commitment to consistent decision-making under pressure.
- Experience in reviewing, monitoring, and evaluating support service outcomes.
- Proficiency in IT systems—databases, report generation, and data analysis.
Desirable
- Experience in coaching or mentoring techniques.
- A recent formal qualification in care, support, or housing.
- Familiarity with reflective practice and its role in best-practice sharing.
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