At a Glance
- Tasks: Support vulnerable women facing homelessness through outreach, casework, and practical housing assistance.
- Company: A dedicated charity focused on empowering homeless individuals in Cambridge.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, pension scheme, free counselling, and ongoing training opportunities.
- Other info: Join a supportive team committed to diversity and personal development.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in women's lives while gaining valuable experience in social support.
- Qualifications: Experience in outreach, trauma-informed care, and a passion for helping others.
The predicted salary is between 28000 - 28000 £ per year.
Hours of work: Full-Time, 37.5 per week (5 days per week)
Contract: 2-year 9-months Fixed Term
Salary: £28,000 per annum
Location: Cambridge CB4 or at other locations within Cambridge
About The Employer
This charity works with people who are homeless, at risk of homelessness or with a history of homelessness. They provide services to aid every stage of recovery - from immediate basic welfare needs to long term help in identifying and dealing with the problems which are undermining their stability, and enabling them to engage with education, employment and specialist health services. National statistics rank the numbers of rough sleepers in Cambridge within the highest 20 UK local authorities. The charity is the only day-time service in the city, providing year-round advice and support for homeless or vulnerably housed people. Over the past three decades the organisation has continued to grow and adapt to meet the needs of the homeless community. Their specialist Housing Team provides expert advice and support to help people successfully navigate the search for housing and crucially, support them to sustain life away from the street. Their Women’s Project is dedicated to empowering vulnerable women from diverse backgrounds who are at risk of or experiencing homelessness. Their objective is to provide comprehensive support across various critical areas, including assistance with domestic and sexual abuse, housing, benefits, debt management, and employment.
About you and the Role
An experienced Women’s Housing Project Worker dedicated to delivering outreach-led, trauma-informed support for women who are homeless, at risk of homelessness, experiencing domestic abuse or facing multiple disadvantage. The role will focus on building safe and trusting relationships in community settings, with additional support delivered within the centre where appropriate, helping women access services, address housing-related barriers and work towards safe accommodation, tenancy sustainment, wellbeing and independence. The post provides practical housing-related support, signposting, liaison with partner agencies and sustained casework.
Key Responsibilities
- Outreach-Led Engagement – Prioritise proactive community outreach to identify and engage women who may be hidden, isolated, at risk, reluctant to approach services or unable to safely disclose their situation. Build safe, trusting and professional relationships through consistent contact in community settings, with additional support available within the organisation where appropriate.
- Practical Housing-Related Support – Provide practical housing-related support to women who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, including support to gather information, complete forms, understand correspondence, prepare for appointments and access appropriate statutory, voluntary or legal services where specialist advice is required.
- Casework and Action Planning – Manage a caseload of women with varied and often complex needs, agreeing clear action plans, reviewing progress and providing sustained follow-up after initial contact. Support women to work towards safe accommodation, tenancy sustainment, improved wellbeing, increased confidence and greater independence.
- Safeguarding and Trauma-Informed Practice – Deliver trauma-informed, strengths-based and person-centred support that promotes safety, choice and empowerment. Recognise and respond appropriately to safeguarding concerns, domestic abuse, mental health needs and other risks, working within professional boundaries and organisational procedures.
- Women-Only Group Sessions and Independence Support – Deliver women-only group sessions and workshops, either directly or through partner organisations, that promote independent living, tenancy sustainment, financial capability and confidence. Support and signpost women to access education, training, volunteering and employment opportunities where these contribute to long-term housing stability and independence.
- Partnership Working and Referrals – Develop effective working relationships with domestic abuse services, local authority housing teams, landlords, housing providers, education and training providers, health and wellbeing services, legal services and voluntary sector partners. Support coordinated responses, make timely referrals and build strong partner relationships that extend beyond attendance at drop-in sessions.
- Records, Monitoring and Service Development – Maintain accurate case records, outreach records, risk information and outcome data on Inform in line with organisational procedures and funder requirements. Contribute to monitoring, reporting and service learning, using evidence from outreach and casework to improve outcomes for women experiencing homelessness, domestic abuse or housing insecurity and deliver impactful case studies for funder reports.
One of the charity's core values is to recognise and reward their staff as their greatest asset. They realise that it's their people who have helped them to become a well-respected charity that helps to make a positive change to homeless people’s lives. They want to continue to deliver excellent, relevant services for the homeless in Cambridge by attracting and retaining talented and motivated people.
If you choose to work with the employer, you will find that they offer:
- Benefits – You will be eligible for benefits and services, including pension scheme, death in service benefit and free counselling and clinical supervision.
- A supported work environment – You will receive a comprehensive induction, and you will have a probation period to provide a supportive framework for reviewing your progress and discussing your training and development needs. You will be expected to have developed the skills to fulfil all role requirements within this period. Appropriate objectives will be discussed, agreed and reviewed regularly with your Line Manager so that your performance can be measured against these.
- Training – The employer recognises the importance of having a motivated and effective staff team. They offer on-going training to support you in your role.
Closing date: Thursday 27th August 2026
The employer is committed to a proactive approach to equality, which includes supporting and encouraging all underrepresented groups, promoting an inclusive culture and valuing diversity. They make selection decisions based on personal merit and an objective assessment against the criteria required for the post. They do not treat job applicants or members of staff less favourably than one another on the grounds of sex (including gender reassignment), marital or parental status, race, ethnic or national origin, colour, disability (including HIV status), sexual orientation, religion, age or socio-economic factors.
Women’s Housing Project Worker employer: CHM
As a leading charity dedicated to supporting individuals living with MS, this organisation offers a vibrant and progressive work environment where your contributions truly matter. With a strong focus on employee growth, you will benefit from clear career progression opportunities and a supportive team culture that encourages collaboration and innovation. Located in London N4, the role provides flexibility for remote work, allowing you to balance your professional and personal life while making a meaningful impact in the community.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Women’s Housing Project Worker
✨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 CHM.
✨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 CHM!
✨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 CHM, 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 CHM 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 Women’s Housing Project Worker
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 CHM:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to CHM! 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 CHM
✨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.
