At a Glance
- Tasks: Support individuals facing social exclusion, providing practical help and promoting independence.
- Company: Join Alongside, a compassionate organisation dedicated to helping those in need.
- Benefits: Enjoy 27 days annual leave, competitive pension, and discounts at our charity shop.
- Other info: Great career development opportunities and a supportive, inclusive culture.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while enjoying a dynamic and varied role.
- Qualifications: Full driving licence, understanding of homelessness support needs, and adaptability.
The predicted salary is between 28655 - 28655 £ per year.
Salary: £28,655 per year
Hours: 37.5 hours per week: Either Monday - Friday 9-5pm (with some flexibility around start and finish time) or 37.5 hours over 4 days (Monday- Friday)
Contract type: Permanent
Location: South West, covering B&NES, Bristol, Wiltshire, Somerset and North Somerset
Additional information:
- Valid driver's license and access to own vehicle – business insurance will be required for roles involving travel for work.
- Ability to travel across the South West region, including projects based in B&NES, Bristol, Wiltshire, Somerset and North Somerset.
- Ability to work flexibly including early mornings where required (meaning an earlier finish to the day).
About Alongside
Alongside is the new name for Julian House. We work with people experiencing social exclusion across the South and West of England, providing outreach, accommodation and support. Our clients may be sleeping rough, fleeing abuse, rebuilding after trauma, leaving prison, recovering from addiction, or trying to settle safely in a new community. Whatever their starting point, we work alongside people to help build safety, stability and independence.
About the Role
As a Floating Support Worker, you’ll play a vital role in supporting services where extra capacity is needed, working across different locations including B&NES, Bristol, Wiltshire, Somerset and North Somerset. This is a varied and dynamic role, offering the opportunity to work across supported housing and outreach services, with no two weeks looking the same.
You’ll work directly with people who have a range of support needs, building positive, professional relationships and providing person‑centred, trauma‑informed support. This includes offering practical help, promoting independence, and responding flexibly to individual circumstances in a fast‑paced environment.
This role is ideal for someone who enjoys variety, is well organised, and can adapt to changing priorities and locations. You’ll need to be a driver with access to your own vehicle and business insurance, and be comfortable working flexibly, with rotas provided two weeks in advance and occasional last‑minute changes handled considerately.
What you’ll be doing:
- Give clients advice and information, providing an enabling service so that they can be signposted to, and access appropriate services.
- Maintain client records, so they are accurate and fully updated at all times.
- Ensure all clients are provided with high-quality person-centred services which takes a strength-based and trauma-informed approach.
- Work collaboratively taking a multi-agency approach to safeguard clients.
Please note: Job descriptions are not exhaustive, and the successful candidate may occasionally be asked to take on other duties that align with the key responsibilities outlined.
What we’re looking for:
- Full driving licence and access to own car for work purposes.
- Willingness to travel around the South West to support our various projects and teams.
- Knowledge and understanding of the support needs of people facing homelessness, including those with mental health challenges, complex needs and substance misuse issues.
There are many great reasons to join our team!
- Access to our Rewards Platform, which includes an Employee Assistance Programme and Health Cash Plan.
- 27 days annual leave, including an extra day off for your birthday, plus bank holidays - increasing up to 30 days after 4 years of continuous employment (pro rata for part-time staff).
- 30% staff discount at Julian House charity shop.
- A generous and competitive pension scheme.
- A supportive culture where staff feedback is highly valued and regular supervisions with line managers are conducted.
- Great opportunities for career development and free monthly training sessions from experienced facilitators.
- For all the fantastic and valuable work, you’ll be doing, you’ll be eligible for the Blue Light Card which offers amazing discounts on thousands of brands.
- Reflective Practice sessions from objective, external facilitators.
Our Ethos
As an Equal Opportunities employer, we have an Equality and Diversity Action plan in place showing our commitment in ensuring continuous improvement in creating an inclusive culture. We also have a committed group of Inclusion & Diversity champions who meet monthly to ensure progress is being made. We invite applications from people from all backgrounds and cultures, especially minority groups that are underrepresented in the workplace. We also welcome applications from those with lived experience. We embrace flexibility and are proud to be a Disability Confident and Mindful employer, as well as an Armed Forces Covenant Supporter.
If you have any special access requirements or other support needs throughout the application process (including interview), please contact us so that we can let you know how we can support you. We accept CVs and applications in all formats.
DBS Checks
We welcome applications from people with lived experience. All applicants working with our clients will be expected to undertake an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check. A criminal conviction will not necessarily prevent you from becoming an employee, the decision will depend on the type of offence and its relevance to the role. If you would like to discuss any convictions you may have, please contact the person named in the advert. All information will be dealt with according to our Data Protection Policy.
Floating Support Worker in Bristol employer: Homeless Link
YMCA DownsLink Group is an exceptional employer, dedicated to fostering a supportive and inclusive work environment in the vibrant city of Brighton & Hove. With a strong emphasis on employee growth, we offer ongoing professional development opportunities and a culture that values diversity and collaboration, making it a rewarding place for those passionate about making a difference in the lives of young people.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Floating Support Worker in Bristol
✨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 Homeless Link.
✨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 Homeless Link!
✨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 Homeless Link, 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 Homeless Link 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 Floating Support Worker in Bristol
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 Homeless Link:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Homeless Link! 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 Homeless Link
✨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.
