At a Glance
- Tasks: Support clients in achieving independence and improving wellbeing through structured sessions and goal-setting.
- Company: Join Changing Lives Housing Trust, a charity dedicated to helping the homeless since 2009.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, flexible hours, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Be part of a growing charity with excellent career progression and a focus on staff wellbeing.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while working in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Experience with vulnerable adults and strong communication skills are essential.
The predicted salary is between 28000 - 30000 £ per year.
Location: Erith House, 7 Queen St, Erith DA8 1RP
Salary: £28,000 - £30,000 (negotiable)
Hours: 09:00 - 17:00, Monday - Friday
Contract: Permanent, Full Time
Changing Lives Housing Trust (CLHT) is a registered charity that has been providing supported housing for people experiencing homelessness since 2009. We manage 269 housing units and work with councils including Greenwich, Bexley, Croydon, Merton and Dartford. We've just moved into a new headquarters in Erith, and we're growing.
We're looking for a Housing Support Project Worker to give person-centred support to clients living in our supported housing services. You'll help people build independence, keep hold of their accommodation and improve their wellbeing, always with dignity and respect. Many of the people you support will have complex needs, such as homelessness, mental health challenges, substance misuse histories, offending backgrounds or social exclusion. You'll report to the Team Leader.
The Role
Your day will centre on key working. You'll run structured sessions with clients, then develop and review their support plans and risk assessments. You'll help people work towards goals around housing, health, money and independence, and build everyday skills like budgeting, cooking and managing a tenancy. You'll also encourage them towards education, training, volunteering or work, and visit our hostels regularly to check in on how people are getting on.
Keeping people safe is a big part of the job. You'll spot and respond to safeguarding concerns, complete risk assessments and help shape risk management plans. You'll also help clients understand their licence agreements and meet their obligations, which means working with housing providers to sort out tenancy issues before they lead to eviction or homelessness.
You won't be doing this alone. You'll build good relationships with social services, mental health teams, probation and health providers, and attend reviews and professional meetings when needed. You'll keep accurate, confidential case notes, update our systems and contribute to service reports. You'll also help keep our properties safe for clients and staff, report incidents and hazards, and work flexibly as our needs change.
What We're Looking For
You’ll have experience of working with single homeless clients who have support needs (or equivalent experience you can point to), and a strong understanding of safeguarding and risk management. You’ll be able to build trusting, professional relationships with vulnerable adults, and you’ll have good communication and de-escalation skills.
You’ll be comfortable with record keeping and IT systems, and used to working with other agencies to get good outcomes. You’ll also be able to prioritise your workload in a fast-paced environment, and work well both on your own and as part of a team.
Just as important is who you are. We’re looking for someone resilient, with real empathy for people who are homeless and a non-judgemental approach. You’ll be committed to equality, diversity and inclusion, and to your own professional development. You’ll need at least 5 GCSEs (A*-C / 9-4) or equivalent, including Maths and English.
Nice to Have
A qualification in Health & Social Care, Housing, Psychology or a related field would help, as would knowledge of housing law and tenancy sustainment. Experience supporting people with complex needs, such as mental health, substance misuse or offending behaviour, is also useful. A valid driving licence is desirable too.
Why Join Us
You’ll be joining a growing charity with a new headquarters in Erith and plans for satellite offices across London. We put staff wellbeing and professional development first, and you’ll see the difference your support makes as clients move on to independent living.
Benefits
You’ll have access to our Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) and an annual leave bonus for work anniversary milestones. Annual leave starts at 20 days (excluding bank holidays) and rises by one day for each completed year of service, up to 25 days after 5 years. In our non-accommodation services, you’ll work a 38.5 hour week with flexible hours (core hours 8am - 6pm).
This role requires an enhanced DBS check.
You may have experience in the following:
- Housing Support Worker
- Support Worker
- Homelessness Support Worker
- Key Worker
- Hostel Support Worker
- Tenancy Sustainment Officer
- Housing Officer
- Supported Housing Worker
- Resettlement Worker
- Outreach Worker
Housing Support Project Worker in Bexleyheath employer: Changing Lives Housing Trust
As a Housing Support Project Worker, you will join a dedicated team in Erith that prioritises person-centred care and empowerment for our clients. Our supportive work culture fosters professional growth through ongoing training and development opportunities, ensuring you can make a meaningful impact in the lives of those facing complex challenges. With a commitment to dignity and choice, we offer a rewarding environment where your contributions are valued and recognised.
Contact Details:
Changing Lives Housing Trust Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Housing Support Project Worker in Bexleyheath
✨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 Changing Lives Housing Trust.
✨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 Changing Lives Housing Trust!
✨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 Changing Lives Housing Trust, 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 Changing Lives Housing Trust 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 Project Worker in Bexleyheath
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 Changing Lives Housing Trust:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Changing Lives Housing Trust! 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 Changing Lives Housing Trust
✨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.
