At a Glance
- Tasks: Support residents with complex mental health needs and lead day-to-day service delivery.
- Company: Join a mission-driven organisation focused on empowering independence and rehabilitation.
- Benefits: 25 days annual leave, pension contributions, training opportunities, and employee assistance programmes.
- Other info: Flexible working patterns and opportunities for professional growth in a supportive environment.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of individuals overcoming personal barriers to independence.
- Qualifications: Experience supporting individuals with complex needs and strong empathy skills required.
The predicted salary is between 28800 - 28800 £ per year.
Location: Based in the Redbridge area. The service is approximately a 15 minute walk from Gants Hill Underground Station (Central Line). Local bus routes reduce the walk to around 5 minutes, and the service is also accessible via National Rail services from Ilford Station. Step Free access is not available at this service.
Salary: £28,800
Shift Pattern: 37.5 hours per week, Monday to Sunday on Rota between 08:00 - 21:30 depending on different shift patterns, including bank holiday working. You will be expected to work flexibly to meet the needs of the service and residents, including evenings and occasional weekends as required.
About the Role
We're hiring a Senior Support Coach to join our team based within a Men's Project in Redbridge. In this role, you will support residents who may be facing challenges with complex mental health needs, ideally within criminal justice, forensic or secure services. As a Senior Support Coach, you will play a pivotal role within the service, as a point of contact, providing advice and guidance to the wider team in support of the management team, and to residents. You will be based within our Offender Personality Disorder Housing Accommodation and Support Service (OPD HASS). The service provides specialist, structured support to high risk and high need men who have recently left the criminal justice system. The service provides specialist support to help overcome personal barriers to resettlement, reducing the risk of re-offending and supports residents towards independent living. You will deliver flexible, responsive, and person centred support to residents. This is a highly rewarding opportunity to lead by example and positively influence the recovery journeys of individuals with complex needs, including personality disorders and offending backgrounds. Join us on our mission to empower independence through trauma-informed solutions and dynamic partnerships that keep people out of prison, out of hospital, and off the streets.
Key Responsibilities
- Support residents who may be facing challenges with complex mental health needs, ideally within criminal justice, forensic or secure services.
- Deliver person-centred, therapeutic support plans; regularly review based on goals and risks.
- Lead day-to-day service delivery, including housing management duties.
- Monitor wellbeing through welfare checks and respond to incidents/emergencies.
- Build residents’ independent living skills and reduce reoffending risk.
- Conduct risk/needs assessments, safeguarding checks and crisis interventions.
- Work collaboratively with probation, health services and OPD partners.
- Ensure compliance with health & safety, hygiene and service standards.
- Mentor and support junior staff, students and volunteers.
- Maintain accurate records, contributing to reporting, audits and service improvement.
OPDHASS provides structured, trauma-informed residential support for individuals leaving custody or secure care, promoting rehabilitation, responsibility and personal growth.
About You
We're looking for an individual who understands the needs of our residents along with experience supporting individuals with complex needs. You will be confident working in challenging environments and able to balance empathy with professional boundaries. You will be able to work collaboratively as part of a team, and will have alignment with our SIG values. You will be keen to support our residents to achieve their individual goals and support them to be the best versions of themselves.
Previous professional or lived experience supporting people who have complex mental health needs, including those within criminal justice, forensic, secure, housing, or social care settings, and individuals with personality disorders (OPD Pathway).
Ability to engage with people from different backgrounds, build rapport, and develop therapeutic, motivational relationships that empower individuals to achieve their personal goals.
Ability to show empathy and compassion, using an empathetic, motivational, and empowering approach, with an understanding of trauma-informed care and the challenges faced by vulnerable and marginalised adults.
Ability and willingness to show flexibility and adaptability in working patterns, responding to the needs of the service and residents, including crisis intervention and de-escalation of conflict.
Ability to use, learn and adapt to IT at an intermediate level, including Microsoft and other software programs.
Understanding of the different needs of people with multiple and complex needs, including safeguarding, risk management, housing related support, and awareness of social marginalisation.
Alignment with our values of Ambition, Empowerment, Inclusivity, and Transparency.
What we Offer
- 25 days (Full time equivalent) annual leave, increasing with the length of service.
- Employer Pension Contribution.
- Eligibility to register with Blue Light Discount Card.
- Access to discounted tickets for music events, shows, sports and more.
- Reflective Practice regular sessions with a therapist provided by an external provider to support Mental Health and Wellbeing at work.
- Training and Development, including access to courses, upskilling, and progression plans.
- Employee Assistance Programme, including counselling.
- Life Assurance Scheme.
- Cycle-to-work scheme.
- Annual Staff Awards.
- EDI Ambassador programme.
Additional Information
In our application process, we conduct an enhanced DBS check and may require further vetting. We encourage applicants from all backgrounds. Unfortunately, we are unable to provide sponsorship; please ensure you have full right to work in the UK prior to applying to our positions.
Application deadline: Thursday 2nd of July 2026.
Senior Support Coach employer: Homeless Link
Join our dedicated team as a Senior Support Coach in Redbridge, where you will have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the lives of individuals facing complex mental health challenges. We pride ourselves on fostering a supportive work culture that values professional growth, offering extensive training and development opportunities, as well as a comprehensive benefits package including generous annual leave and an Employee Assistance Programme. Our commitment to inclusivity and empowerment ensures that you will be part of a mission-driven organisation that prioritises the well-being of both residents and staff.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Support Coach
✨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 Support Coach
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.
