Social Support Worker

St. Patrick’s Residential Care is committed to supporting young people facing challenges within their families. We are seeking dedicated Social Support Workers to join our team, playing a vital role in the daily lives of the young people we serve.

Position Overview
The Social Support Worker will be responsible for providing practical and emotional support to young people in the programme. This role involves engaging in daily activities with the youth, helping with homework, participating in recreational activities, and fostering a positive, nurturing environment. The successful candidate will be empathetic, patient, and able to build strong, supportive relationships with young people.

Key Responsibilities:

• Daily activity support:
  
  
  
  • Assist young people with their daily routines, including meal preparation, personal hygiene, and other basic needs.
  
  
  • Accompany and supervise young people during recreational activities and playtime, ensuring their safety and well-being.
  
  
  
  


• Educational support:
  
  
  
  • Provide homework assistance and support educational activities.
  
  
  • Encourage and facilitate a positive learning environment, helping young people to stay engaged and motivated.
  
  
  
  


• Emotional and social support:
  
  
  
  • Build trusting relationships with young people, offering emotional support and guidance.
  
  
  • Help young people develop social skills and positive peer relationships.
  
  
  
  


• Behavioural support:
  
  
  
  • Support young people in managing their behaviour, implementing behaviour management strategies as needed.
  
  
  • Encourage positive behaviour through reinforcement and role modelling.
  
  
  
  


• Family interaction:
  
  
  
  • Facilitate and support family visits and interactions when necessary.
  
  
  • Communicate effectively with family members and other support systems about the young person’s progress and needs.
  
  
  
  


• Programme participation:
  
  
  
  • Actively participate in team meetings and contribute to the planning and evaluation of the programme.
  
  
  • Collaborate with other staff members to ensure a holistic approach to each young person’s development.
  
  
  
  


• Administrative duties:
  
  
  
  • Maintain accurate records of daily activities, incidents, and progress notes.
  
  
  • Report any concerns or issues to the Care Services Coordinator promptly.
  
  
  
  

Qualifications and Experience:

• A diploma (or similar) in Child Care Services and additional qualifications in Social Work, Youth Work, or a related field are desirable.


• Experience working with young people, particularly those facing family and social challenges.


• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.


• Ability to build positive, supportive relationships with young people.


• Patience, empathy, and a genuine passion for helping young people.


• Basic knowledge of child development and behaviour management techniques.


• Ability to work as part of a team and contribute to a supportive work environment.


• Willingness to engage in physical activities and participate in recreational outings.


• Able to communicate in Maltese and English.


• Food Handling certificate.


• Basic First Aid course.


• Willing to work afternoons and evenings.

Desirable Attributes:

• Previous experience in a similar role within a community or educational setting.


• Basic cooking skills and knowledge of nutrition.


• Ability to manage and de-escalate challenging behaviour effectively.

St Patrick's Salesian School - KMP-94532