At a Glance
- Tasks: Support individuals in achieving their goals and improving their lives.
- Company: Join a leading charity dedicated to personal recovery and community support.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, 25 days leave, training opportunities, and wellbeing support.
- Other info: Friendly team environment with excellent career growth potential.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while developing your skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in health and social care is a plus, but passion is key.
The predicted salary is between 26298 - 26298 £ per year.
Service Area: Essex Services
Town: Colchester
Status: Full-time
Contract Type: Fixed-term to 31/03/2027
Total Salary Pro-Rata: £26,298 per annum
Posted Date: 14/09/2026
Closing Date: 04/10/2026
Vacancy Reference Number: 4400
Phoenix Futures Housing Sustainable Tenancy Service (HoSTS) have an exciting opportunity for someone who will work with a small cohort of individuals with varying needs such as offending history, substance use, mental health, learning difficulties who have been housed in independent accommodation. Previous experience is desirable, however not essential. Support Workers come from many different backgrounds and experiences, and you may have the skills required. We are seeking dedicated individuals, based on your values, willingness to learn new skills and the compassion to deliver the best service possible to the people that use our services.
The Role
As a Housing Support Worker, you will support people at HoSTS to reach their goals and change their lives for the better. The role is full-time 37.5 hours per week, fixed-term until 31/03/2027. You will be part of a passionate and skilled team, contributing to the provision of tailored interventions and recovery approaches.
About You
To join us as a Housing Support Worker at HoSTS, you will need:
- Relevant experience of working in health and social care, ideally within the field of problematic substance use, mental health or another comparable field
- Evidence of effective partnership working and the ability to network for the benefit of the client and service
- Evidence of managing a busy caseload or tasks and excellent organisational skills
- To be proficient in the use of Microsoft Outlook and Word and be familiar with database management systems
- Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal
- Understand complex issues presented by people who have experienced homelessness and moving into temporary or permanent housing whilst engaging in the community
- Determined, with a drive to succeed and a willingness to learn
- Passionate and enthusiastic about making a real difference to the lives of people we support
Your Rewards
- Starting salary of £26,298, with the opportunity to access potential yearly salary increments subject to appraisal, meaning potential salary increase up to £28,000
- Committed to providing a Real Living Wage for you, through accreditation with the Living Wage Foundation
- 25 days annual leave plus Bank Holidays (increasing each year to a maximum of 30 days)
- Benefits including season ticket loan, pension scheme and life assurance
- Support through occupational sick pay, eye-care vouchers and regular wellbeing talks and activities
- Continuous training and career development via PXL our dedicated learning management system
- Access to a 24/7 Employee Assistance programme including telephone and online access
- A rewarding role with the opportunity to help us support people on their journey to recovery and change their lives for the better
- Well ensure you get all the support you need to thrive and succeed in your role and find your place amongst our incredible and collaborative team
The Service
HoSTS provide tenancy ready and sustainment support to individuals with complex lives who have experienced homelessness and unstable accommodation. Working alongside Colchester Borough Homes our service delivers day to day support with tenants wellbeing and requirements to help them sustain their accommodation and live fulfilled lives.
The HoSTS team support with accessing and attending mental health services and GPs, complete referrals into partner agencies such as substance use services, IPS teams, Social Inclusion activities and financial advice whilst advocating on their behalf ensuring their voices are heard. The HoSTS team is a small, friendly team with a Housing Team Manager and an existing Housing Support Worker, both with experience in supporting those with complex lives and housing needs. The HoSTS service works across two sites within the Colchester area of Essex. The role will be office based operating out of both supported accommodation sites. One site has free parking with a carers parking permit which will be purchased by Phoenix Futures due to residential parking restrictions. Both sites are within a 20 minute walk from the local train station and there are regular bus routes near both accommodations.
About Phoenix Futures
Phoenix Futures Group is a charity with over 50 years experience and a leading provider of drug and alcohol treatment. We use our expertise to support people in their personal recovery and to improve their lives. We are dedicated to advocating for people who are often overlooked and stigmatised, to ensure they have a fair chance to lead healthy and fulfilling lives. Our aim is for everyone to be able to achieve their potential for themselves, their families and communities. We encourage and welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and believe it is important to include people with lived experience to ensure the needs of the people we support are represented. We are committed to creating an inclusive working environment where everyone is free to be themselves and we ensure equity of opportunity.
Interview Process
We want you to feel comfortable to be your best during the interview process, so that you can get to know Phoenix and we can get to know you. If shortlisted, you will be contacted for a short face to face interview for approximately week commencing 12th October 2026 and be provided all details about the assessment process. There will be a Peer Mentor present as part of the interview process. All details will be provided in advance so that you can feel adequately prepared and we can support you with reasonable adjustments as required.
Please note, we will be assessing applications as they are submitted and may close this role should we find sufficient applicants with which to make our shortlist. As such, we would advise applying as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.
Locations
Housing Support Worker in Chelmsford, Essex employer: Phoenix Futures
Phoenix Futures is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and inclusive work environment in Swadlincote, where you can make a real difference in the lives of individuals affected by drug and alcohol dependency. With a strong focus on employee growth through continuous training and development, alongside generous benefits such as 25 days of annual leave and access to a 24/7 Employee Assistance programme, we empower our staff to thrive both personally and professionally. Join our passionate team and contribute to meaningful change while enjoying a rewarding career in the community.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Housing Support Worker in Chelmsford, Essex
✨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 Phoenix Futures.
✨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 Phoenix Futures!
✨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 Phoenix Futures, 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 Phoenix Futures 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 Housing Support Worker in Chelmsford, Essex
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 Phoenix Futures:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Phoenix Futures! 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 Phoenix Futures
✨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.
