Overview
Move on Facilitator role at PorchLight
This range is provided by PorchLight. Your actual pay will be based on your skills and experience — talk with your recruiter to learn more.
Base pay range
We are looking for a dedicated and compassionate individual to join our team, supporting people who are homeless and ready to be discharged from hospital.
About The Role
This role will require you to work with the Porchlight homeless teams and East Kent Hospital discharge teams to ensure that people without a home are not discharged into rough sleeping. You will provide vital support to individuals experiencing a range of challenges, including mental health issues, substance misuse, and a history of homelessness.
Your work will involve helping people secure temporary and supported accommodation, guiding them towards sustainable housing solutions, and providing ongoing support to help them manage their future tenancy.
Key Responsibilities
- Working alongside the Porchlight homeless teams and East Kent Hospital discharge teams to prevent hospital leavers from sleeping rough.
- Supporting individuals in temporary and supported accommodation as they transition into more stable housing.
- Providing practical advice and emotional support to help people overcome challenges and rebuild their lives.
- Assisting clients in accessing benefits, healthcare, and other essential services.
- Working collaboratively with local authorities, housing providers, and support agencies to find appropriate housing solutions.
This is what the role requires
- Excellent communication and people skills and experience of working with people living in supported accommodation and in community settings; however candidates without this experience/knowledge will still be considered as full training and ongoing support will be provided.
- An understanding of the issues faced by homeless or vulnerably housed people.
- Experience of helping vulnerable and complex people and supporting them through a process of change.
- A sound understanding of the support needs of people who are experiencing homelessness or with low incomes, including rent payments/arrears.
- A commitment to supporting people by helping them to build on their strengths.
- Driver with own transport (subject to provisions of the Equality Act).
This is a fixed term role, ending 31st March 2026.
Apply promptly! A high volume of applicants is expected for the role as detailed below, do not wait to send your CV.
We are Porchlight, Kent’s largest charity for homeless and vulnerable people. We’re here for people who have nowhere to go and no-one to turn to. Some are living on the streets, others need our support to prevent or resolve any issues that could put them at risk of homelessness.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Move on Facilitator 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 Porchlight.
✨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 Porchlight!
✨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 Porchlight, 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 Porchlight or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.
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 Porchlight:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Porchlight! 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 Porchlight
✨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.
