Housing Support Worker, YMCA Downslink GROUP

Supported Housing Support Worker – YMCA Downs Link Group

Pay: 22.5 hours per week / £27,770 per annum, pro‑rate; permanent; onsite with set shifts on a seven‑day rolling rota, including evenings, weekends and bank holidays.

Mission: To help children and young people have a fair chance to be who they want to be by providing a safe home, building life skills and self‑confidence, and supporting emotional wellbeing and mental health.
Values: We do what’s right, we work with heart, and we build real connections – guiding how we show up for the young people we support and each other.

Our Eastbourne and Hailsham services provide 24‑hour supported housing for young people aged 16–25, offering low to medium levels of housing‑related support. Eastbourne Foyer houses 34 residents and the two Hailsham properties house 10 residents, all with shared communal facilities. Across all sites we support residents to develop skills needed for independent living – managing finances, budgeting, life and work skills, and personal self‑care.

As a Supported Housing Support Worker you will hold a caseload of residents and carry out regular key work sessions with them each week. Through these sessions you will collaboratively develop personalised support plans, track progress, and help residents achieve their goals.

• Housing: Coach residents to manage their occupancy agreement and adhere to house rules; promote a credit culture; keep up-to-date with housing and welfare benefits; address non‑compliance using restorative practices and teamwork.
• Coaching and Engagement: Help residents articulate aspirations, take initiative in acquiring life skills, engage with services and build community connections; maintain safeguarding and trauma‑informed standards; document client records in In‑Form.
• General: Work as part of a rotating team, ensuring non‑judgemental support and personal safety during lone working; create a calm yet assertive environment; engage in professional development and reflective supervision.

• Experience with housing, support work, and/or working with young people at risk.
• Experience managing a caseload of young people with multiple, complex needs to support independent living.
• Knowledge of statutory and voluntary resources for young people with complex needs.
• Knowledge of safeguarding procedures and ability to maintain professional boundaries.
• Confidence and competence in recording notes/actions in service logs, incident forms, and health and safety checklists.

• Clear verbal and written communication for progress reporting and outcome evidence.
• Strong relationship building with stakeholders, including signposting and advocacy.
• Ability to work autonomously and initiate actions while functioning as part of a team.
• Good IT and keyboard skills.
• Ability to de‑escalate volatile situations and manage challenging behaviour.

• If your experience doesn’t align perfectly with every requirement, we encourage you to apply anyway and demonstrate how your experience is transferable.
• There will be lone working requirements, but you will receive induction and training prior to starting on a rota.

CLOSING DATE: Sunday 4 January 2026 at midnight.

Visa: We are unable to offer a work permit or visa sponsorship; applicants must already have the right to live and work in the UK independently.

We are committed to policies and practices of equity, diversity, and inclusion, and to supporting our people to create an inclusive workplace.

Accessibility:
If you require assistance or have questions regarding the application process, please contact us.

All staff and volunteers must commit to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and respond proactively to safeguarding concerns.

Successful applicants will undergo a thorough background screening process, including an Enhanced DBS check (with Children’s and Adults’ Barred Lists) and comprehensive reference and activity checks.

Contact:
Josephine.

Cranley;
Recruitment:
Recruitment

Entry level

Full‑time

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