Floating Support Worker in Chelmsford

Location: Southend-On-Sea, SS1 1JN

Salary: £27,054 rising incrementally to Point 16, £29,357 per annum

Are you passionate about supporting people out of homelessness? We are looking for people who bring a range of skills to the organisation to help us meet our mission. HARP is Southend-On-Sea's leading homelessness charity and every year we work with around 1,000 local people to help them overcome or avoid homelessness. It is an exciting time to be joining HARP. The organisation has undergone significant change and growth over the past twelve months and we have ambitious plans for the future which will continue to transform lives.

Applicants for this position must be available for interview 13th April 2026.

About The Role

As a Floating Support Worker, you will:

• Provide flexible, housing-related support to people living in a variety of accommodation types.
• Build safe, trusting and empowering relationships using trauma-informed principles.
• Complete sensitive and client-led assessments, co-producing meaningful and achievable support plans.
• Help clients understand and manage tenancy responsibilities, reducing risk and promoting independence.
• Work collaboratively with landlords, local authority teams, mental health services, substance use providers and other partners.
• Support people to build confidence, routines and connections through training, education and community involvement.
• Maintain accurate, strengths-based case notes and ensure effective, compassionate safeguarding practice.
• Manage a dynamic caseload of up to around 30 clients, adapting support to meet changing needs.

We are looking for someone who is:

• Experienced in supporting people with complex needs, such as trauma, homelessness, substance use or mental/physical health challenges.
• Confident using trauma-informed approaches and creating psychological safety.
• Skilled at de-escalation, grounding techniques and helping individuals regulate emotions.
• Able to work independently in the community, with strong organisation and record-keeping skills.
• Compassionate, patient, reflective and committed to equality, diversity and inclusion.
• Comfortable providing gentle, practical guidance around tenancy management, home safety and wellbeing.
• Willing to work flexibly, including occasional evenings, weekends and bank holidays.

HARP's equity statement: At HARP, we are committed to fostering a workplace that reflects the diversity of the communities we serve and where every employee feels valued, respected, and empowered. We believe that equity is essential to creating an inclusive environment where all individuals, regardless of their race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability, socioeconomic background, or other characteristics, have access to equal opportunities for employment, advancement, and success. We are dedicated to ensuring that our hiring, promotion, and compensation practices are fair, transparent, and free from bias. We actively seek to identify and eliminate barriers to employment and professional growth for underrepresented groups, and we embrace diverse perspectives as a source of strength, innovation, and growth. Our commitment to equity means that we provide ongoing training and support to ensure that all employees can thrive in their roles and contribute meaningfully to our mission. We continually assess our policies, programs, and culture to ensure we are meeting the needs of all our staff and fostering an environment of trust, collaboration, and accountability. By embedding equity in our workplace, we aim to create a culture where differences are not just respected but celebrated, and where everyone has the opportunity to achieve their full potential. We believe that when everyone has an equal chance to succeed, we all benefit.