At a Glance
- Tasks: Support individuals experiencing homelessness and help them make positive life changes.
- Company: Catching Lives, a compassionate organisation dedicated to helping the homeless in Canterbury.
- Benefits: Structured induction, ongoing training, free tea and coffee, and employee assistance scheme.
- Other info: We encourage diverse applicants and offer a welcoming workplace for all.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while working in a supportive team environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in providing one-to-one support and knowledge of housing and homelessness issues.
The predicted salary is between 31500 - 38500 £ per year.
Catching Lives is recruiting a Senior Project Worker to join the team at our homelessness day centre in Canterbury.
We’re in the process of expanding with current recruitment, so that we can introduce community based support alongside strengthening our core day centre offer.
About Catching Lives
Catching Lives supports people who are homeless or insecurely housed in Canterbury and East Kent.
Our vision is of a society where everyone has a safe place to live and the opportunity to lead a fulfilling life.
We operate from our day centre, a minute’s walk from Canterbury East station, opening every day of the week to provide basic facilities (food, showers, laundry) alongside one-to-one support to help people improve housing, health and social connection.
We also deliver regular activities and host specialist services from partner agencies.
About the role
The Senior Project Worker shares responsibility for the effective daily operation of Catching Lives’ services, in the day centre and in the community.
They coordinate with the Manager, colleagues, volunteers and external partners to deliver a safe, welcoming and inclusive environment in which people get the help that they need to make positive changes and move on in their lives.
The post-holder provides one-to-one support to clients and works alongside the Manager to offer support and oversight to the wider client-facing team.
They are the Designated Safeguarding Lead, assessing and escalating concerns in line with our policy and safeguarding best practice, and participating in multi-agency safeguarding work.
Who we're looking for
We welcome applicants with different forms of experience including voluntary and community roles and/or lived experience, alongside paid work relevant to the seniority of this post.
Essential
- Experience of providing one-to-one support to individuals with a range of needs e. g. in relation to housing, benefits, healthcare.
- Knowledge of current legislation and practice relevant to housing and homelessness.
- Experience of following Safeguarding processes with people at risk.
- Experience of handling challenging behaviour with confidence.
- Experience of managing a workload with varied time-sensitive tasks.
- Experience of problem-solving as part of a team.
- Able to communicate clearly and to remain calm under pressure.
- Able to offer a friendly, non-judgemental service to people experiencing homelessness, addiction, mental ill-health, and other challenges.
- Able to maintain professional boundaries.
- Able to write and speak concisely in plain English.
- Understanding of, and commitment to, diversity, equality and inclusion.
Desirable
- Experience of working in relevant services e. g. housing, homelessness, substance use, recovery, mental health, men’s health and suicide prevention, criminal justice, immigration and asylum, domestic abuse.
- Understanding of trauma-informed care and able to apply this to a day centre setting.
- Previous responsibility for Safeguarding and/or being part of multi-agency Safeguarding responses.
- Fluency in additional languages.
- Lived experience of homelessness and/or experience of using services such as mental health, substance use, criminal justice.
- Driver with a clean UK driving licence and a personal car for use at work.
- Working with us
The successful candidate will complete a structured induction that includes shadowing colleagues and visiting local services.
Staff typically attend weekly team meetings on Wednesday afternoons, as well as having regular 1-1s with their line manager, and there is confidential access to an employee assistance scheme.
The day centre offers free tea and coffee throughout the working day.
As well as core training for new starters, there are ongoing training and development opportunities.
- there is confidential access to an employee assistance scheme.
- free tea and coffee throughout the working day.
- As well as core training for new starters, there are ongoing training and development opportunities.
The job is open to anyone with the experience and skills listed in the Essential section of the Person Specification below.
The post is subject to DBS and reference checks, but please note that our policy does not automatically exclude people with past offences.
We particularly encourage applications from people whose identities are currently under-represented in our team including men, Black and Asian people, LGBTQ+ people and people with lived experience of homelessness.
You're welcome to contact us todiscuss the role or visit the day centre before applying.
Closing date
Monday 17 August at 11am. Interviews are planned for 26-28 August 2026.
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Senior Project Worker in Canterbury 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 Senior Project Worker in Canterbury
✨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 Senior Project Worker in Canterbury
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.
