At a Glance
- Tasks: Support young residents in building life skills and managing their tenancies.
- Company: Join a dedicated team at a supportive housing service for young people.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, performance bonuses, 28 days holiday, and flexible benefits.
- Other info: Enjoy a vibrant team culture with social events and professional development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of young people facing challenges.
- Qualifications: Experience with complex needs and strong communication skills required.
The predicted salary is between 25929 - 27537 £ per year.
The Foyer Service provides supported housing for 16–25-year-olds facing a range of challenges, including complex behaviours and difficult life circumstances. Our goal is to help them build the skills and confidence they need to move on to independent living and contribute positively to their communities.
As a Support Worker, you’ll play a key role in helping residents manage their tenancies, access education or employment, improve their wellbeing, and develop essential life skills. You’ll work closely with families, social services, and other agencies to ensure each young person receives the right support at the right time.
Key responsibilities include:
- Supporting residents with day-to-day living, including budgeting, cooking, and maintaining their homes
- Encouraging engagement with training, volunteering, and employment opportunities
- Promoting positive relationships and addressing behaviours that may impact progress
- Developing and reviewing support plans and risk assessments
- Advocating for residents and helping them navigate services and systems
- Working collaboratively with external agencies to deliver joined-up support.
This role involves evening and weekend shifts (no overnight work). You’ll also be expected to attend occasional training and meetings outside normal hours — time off in lieu is provided.
What we’re looking for:
- Experience supporting people with complex needs, ideally in a housing or youth service setting
- Strong communication skills and a calm, empathetic approach
- Confidence in managing casework and working with external partners
- An excellent understanding of safeguarding, tenancy sustainment, and multi-agency working
- IT literacy and the ability to use digital systems effectively.
Desirable:
- Relevant qualifications (e.g. CIH Level 2/3, youth work, mental health first aid)
If you’re looking for a role where your experience and values can make a real impact, we’d love to hear from you.
We offer:
- A performance based annual bonus + pension contributions matched up to 6%
- 28 days holiday + bank holidays and the option to buy/sell holiday
- Training & Development and opportunities for continuing professional development including regular tool box talks
- A great team of colleagues to work with
- Regular social and charitable events and a range of wellbeing activities
- Enhanced family leave policies
- A really competitive package of flexible employee benefits including a cycle to work scheme
- Free parking and disabled parking
- Access to two holiday homes in Norfolk and Dorset
At mhs homes we value equality, diversity and inclusion. We are wholeheartedly committed to the principle of equality of opportunity, both as an employer and as a provider of services. We positively encourage applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital status, or pregnancy and maternity.
Instructions for potential applicants: Please note we're using an anonymised recruitment process for this role. This means the shortlisting panel will only see personal details if you're shortlisted for interview. Therefore, shortlisting will be done based on your application and CV. Please complete all sections fully and refer to the role profile when telling us about your skills and experience.
Support Officer in Chatham employer: mhs homes
As a Multi Trade Operative with us, you'll join a supportive and dynamic team dedicated to maintaining safe and secure homes for our community. We offer competitive benefits, a strong focus on employee development, and a work culture that values quality and customer satisfaction. Located in a vibrant area, this role provides unique opportunities to make a meaningful impact while enjoying a fulfilling career.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Support Officer in Chatham
✨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 mhs homes.
✨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 mhs homes!
✨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 mhs homes, 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 mhs homes 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 Support Officer in Chatham
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 mhs homes:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to mhs homes! 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 mhs homes
✨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.
