Summary of Role
As an Upstream Project Worker, you will be part of an innovative team dedicated to preventing youth homelessness before it happens. Roundabout’s experience of supporting homeless young people has shown us that the roots of young people’s problems begin long before they arrive at our door post-16. This is why we are increasing our focus on preventing youth homelessness by identifying and supporting young people at an earlier stage.

You will work alongside the wider project team and Upstream manager to ensure the delivery of the Upstream survey with participating secondary schools. You will then be working with a caseload of students identified as being most at risk of becoming homeless in the future, delivering a wide range of support to them as well as their parents/family where appropriate. You will work collaboratively with school year teams and safeguarding, as well as other multi-agency organisations in order to prioritise information sharing, safeguarding and the needs of the young people. By addressing the underlying factors that put young people at risk, you will help them develop resilience, build positive relationships, and access support services if needed.

The Upstream project is still in its early stages of delivery, and therefore this is an exciting opportunity which will enable you to play an integral part in shaping the delivery of this innovative project and ensure better outcomes for young people in future.

Key Accountabilities
- Work alongside the Upstream team to deliver the Upstream survey to our partner schools, ensuring appropriate messaging and engagement of students.
- Carry out initial assessment meetings with young people flagged as ‘at risk’ by the Upstream survey.
- Provide ongoing, holistic interventions to young people, including 1:1 talking sessions, direct work tools, wellbeing support, practical activities and community engagement.
- Provide wrap around support including delivery of in-school group sessions, provision of holiday sessions and home/community visits where appropriate.
- Work to build relationships with parents/family networks, recognising the value of this in preventing family conflict and breakdown (one of the leading causes of youth homelessness), including carrying out initial parent meetings and engaging parents/carers roughout the interventions.
- Work collaboratively alongside other professionals to ensure appropriate safeguarding and sharing of information, including attending relevant meetings, in order to support the needs of the young people.
- Ensure accurate and up to date recording of information so that data can be monitored and evaluated to help produce reports to funders, schools and external evaluators.
- Regularly and actively seek feedback from young people and their families about the service and use this insight to support the team with ongoing delivery and development.
- Undertake any additional duties within the remit of your role and capabilities as requested by your line manager

Other Duties
- Adhere to Roundabout’s policies and procedures at all times
- Maintain professional internal and external relationships that meet the charity’s values
- Report any safeguarding issues
- Demonstrate a commitment to diversity and inclusion
- Be proactive in reviewing and evaluating own performance and use supervision and appraisals to identify areas for development
- Participate in fundraising events and promote Roundabout externally as required

Person Specification - Specific Knowledge, Experience & Skills
- Experience working with and supporting vulnerable students or young people
- A proven track record of positively engaging with young people from diverse backgrounds
- Knowledge of local support /statutory services available to young people aged 11-15
- An understanding and recognition of the importance of engaging family systems in order to support young people
- Strong IT skills and knowledge of database use and client recording systems
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- Ability to assess risk and safety for young people and prioritise this appropriately in order to identify support
- Experience working professionally across different contexts and ability to apply this to working within a multi-agency setting

Personal Attributes
- Ability to work as part of a team and on own initiative, supporting colleagues where necessary
- Ability to be flexible and responsive to individual needs and situations
- A professional approach and willingness to commit and contribute to Roundabout’s vision, values and objectives
- A professional approach and willingness to commit and contribute to Roundabout’s vision, values and objectives
- Ability to demonstrate a calm and solution focused approach in all aspects of your work with young people and colleagues
- Drive and motivation to support young people and their families to ensure positive outcomes

Interview Date: 20 April 2026