At a Glance
- Tasks: Support individuals rebuilding their lives after homelessness and trauma.
- Company: Join BCHA, a leading organisation dedicated to ending homelessness.
- Benefits: Full training, supportive team, and meaningful career opportunities.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives and see the impact of your work.
- Qualifications: Empathy, resilience, and strong communication skills are essential.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
Every day, you’ll support people who are rebuilding their lives after homelessness, trauma, or crisis. This isn’t just a job – it's a chance to make a real, lasting difference in someone’s journey toward independence. At BCHA, we’ve been working for over 50 years to end homelessness and provide safe, secure homes. But more importantly, we support people to regain confidence, stability, and control over their lives – and that’s where you come in.
What you’ll be doing:
- Supporting someone to attend appointments, manage their tenancy, or access vital services
- Helping residents build confidence, routines, and independent living skills
- Working one-to-one with people experiencing mental health challenges, trauma, or substance misuse
- Being a consistent, calm presence during difficult moments
- Creating personalised support plans and helping people move forward at their own pace
- Working alongside external agencies to get the best outcomes for each individual
You’ll be based across our supported houses (6-10 residents), providing outreach‑style support and building meaningful, trusting relationships.
About the role:
We work using trauma‑informed approaches and Psychologically Informed Environments (PIE), meaning we focus on understanding behaviour, building trust, and supporting long‑term change – not just managing day‑to‑day issues. Some days will be challenging. You'll be supporting people with complex needs and difficult experiences. But you’ll also see real progress – moments where someone takes a step forward because of the support you have given.
What we’re looking for:
- You don’t need to have worked in homelessness before – we'll train you. What matters most is who you are:
- Calm, resilient, and able to stay grounded under pressure
- Empathetic and non‑judgmental
- A strong communicator who listens as well as speaks
- Organised and able to manage your own workload
- Motivated to help people move forward, even when progress is slow
Experience in support work, housing, or similar settings is helpful – but not essential. You will need to be able to travel between sites in Plymouth.
What you’ll get:
- Full training in trauma‑informed practice, mental health, and substance misuse
- A supportive team environment where you’re not doing this alone
- The chance to build a meaningful career in the homelessness and support sector
- Real job satisfaction – seeing the impact of your work every day
Why join BCHA?
We believe everyone deserves dignity, respect, and the chance to live independently. When you join us, you become part of a team that genuinely cares – about the people we support and about each other.
What do some of our teams say?
- "I joined BCHA four years ago as a support worker. I am now an operational manager leading four teams".
- "I love making a difference to some of the city’s most vulnerable people".
BCHA Safer Recruitment:
Safeguarding children and adults is our first priority and we will ensure we follow safer recruitment procedures. As an employer, we will do everything possible to prevent unsuitable people obtaining employment with BCHA. Our overall aim is to ‘deter unsuitable applicants from applying for roles with children and adults, and we will ensure that all candidates are treated fairly, consistently and in compliance with current legislation. BCHA is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of people, and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment.
Closing date: 31/07/2026
Interview Date: 5/8/2026
Housing Support Worker – Independent Living & Wellbeing (Salary: £25029.28 - £25861.56 per annu[...] in Plymouth employer: BCHA
BCHA is an exceptional employer dedicated to fostering a supportive and inclusive work environment, where employees are empowered to make a meaningful impact on the lives of individuals in the community. With a strong focus on professional development and reflective practice, our team members enjoy opportunities for growth while contributing to vital wellbeing initiatives across Dorset. Join us in creating a welcoming space that champions active citizenship and community engagement, all within a collaborative and dynamic setting.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Housing Support Worker – Independent Living & Wellbeing (Salary: £25029.28 - £25861.56 per annu[...] in Plymouth
✨Dive into Local Community Groups
Social work thrives on community connections, so get involved in local groups or forums specific to your interests. Whether it’s volunteering at local shelters or joining community action boards, these are great ways to boost your visibility and make direct contacts that could lead to opportunities like the one at BCHA.
✨Attend Social Work Events and Workshops
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences in social work. These events are fantastic for meeting professionals in the field, learning about emerging trends, and spotting job openings. Plus, you might just bump into someone from BCHA!
✨Showcase Your Passion and Expertise
Use platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn to share your journey and insights into the social work sector. Whether it’s writing about your experiences or sharing relevant articles, this helps to establish you as an engaged professional. Potential employers, like BCHA, will notice your enthusiasm!
✨Leverage Your Network
Don’t hesitate to reach out to professors, mentors, or even past colleagues who are in social work. They might have inside knowledge about openings at BCHA or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.
We think you need these skills to ace Housing Support Worker – Independent Living & Wellbeing (Salary: £25029.28 - £25861.56 per annu[...] in Plymouth
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let us see your passion for social work shine through! Talk about the experiences that made you want to pursue this career—whether it’s volunteering, personal experiences, or academic projects. We want to know why this field matters to you.
Emphasise Relevant Qualifications:Make sure your CV highlights any relevant qualifications, like degrees in social work or certifications like a DBS check. If you've done any workshops or training, don’t forget to include those as well. We're keen to see your commitment to your professional development!
Detail Your Experience with Clients:Since this is a hands-on field, detailing any direct experience you have with clients is crucial. Whether it's internships, volunteer roles, or previous jobs, highlight those experiences in your CV to show us you've got the practical skills necessary for the job!
Tailor Your Application to BCHA:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to BCHA! Research our mission and values, and refer to them in your cover letter. This shows us that you understand our work and are genuinely interested in being a part of our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at BCHA
✨Understanding the Role of Empathy
In social work, understanding and demonstrating empathy is key. Be prepared to share personal experiences or scenarios where you effectively showed compassion and support. This helps show that you genuinely care about the well-being of others, which is crucial in social work.
✨Demonstrating Knowledge of Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with the frameworks and models used in social work, such as the Strengths-Based Approach or the Ecological Perspective. Be ready to discuss how these frameworks apply to your work, especially if you can tie them into real-world examples or case studies you've encountered.
✨Showcasing Your Multi-Disciplinary Skills
In a full-time social work role, you'll often collaborate with healthcare professionals, educators, and law enforcement. Be prepared to describe your teamwork experiences and how you've effectively communicated with other disciplines to achieve the best outcomes for clients.
✨Preparing for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical social work situations, such as dealing with a crisis or managing a complex case. Think through your thought process for these scenarios beforehand, considering how you'd assess the situation and what steps you'd take, as this demonstrates your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
