Job Title: Senior Hostel Support Officer
Hours: 37 hours per week, working Monday to Friday, in accordance with Councils scheme of flexible working hours. The post holder may be required to work outside normal office hours from time to time.
Salary: £36,581 - £40,444
Gosport Housing Services are looking for an experienced and motivated individual to lead our team of Hostel Support Officers within the Housing Needs & Advice Service. The team provides housing-related support to residents living within our temporary accommodation, helping them to maintain their safety and wellbeing whilst progressing towards independent living.
This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in supporting some of the borough's most vulnerable residents. You will assist the Accommodation & Lettings Manager in leading, mentoring and developing the hostel support team, ensuring a consistent, high-quality service is delivered to residents.
If you are interested, please refer to the attached Job profile for more information regarding ‘what is the role’ and ‘who is the person’ we are looking for to join our service.
How to apply
To make sure your application is above the rest, please fully read and follow the guidance so you can demonstrate how you meet the criteria under “Who is the Person” section on the job profile.
PLEASE DO NOT JUST SUBMIT A CV.
Please ensure you refer to the "How to Apply" guidance when completing your application. This contains important information on the evidence you need to provide to support your application. Applications that do not demonstrate how the essential criteria are met are unlikely to be shortlisted.
Email your submission to gbcrecruitment@gosport.gov.uk
Closing date for receipt of completed submissions 12th October 2026
Interviews will take place on the 20th and 21st October 2026
Gosport Borough Council (GBC) Property and Housing Services
Gosport borough is on the beautiful south coast, boasting a magnificent heritage thanks to centuries of links with the Royal Navy. Its unique waterfront attractions and history give it a special character, and it benefits from 25 miles of coastline, including the sailing hub of Portsmouth Harbour and beaches at Stokes Bay and Lee-on-the-Solent.
It is also a borough with unique economic opportunities. Its military heritage means it is strongly represented in the advanced manufacturing, aerospace and marine sectors. And as military needs have changed, the borough has gained development sites with huge potential.
Gosport has convenient links to the motorway network and the main south coast trunk road, and a short ferry hop provides a link to the main rail line to London.
GBC Property and Housing services has a bright future and we hope you will play a part in supporting the service to meet the needs of our customers.
Gosport Borough Council is responsible for managing over 3000 council houses and flats, some of which are dedicated to older persons and some as temporary accommodation. The service manages a varied Commercial property portfolio dealing with licences, concessions and a mobile home park.
Who are we looking for?
We are looking for an experienced, motivated and resilient individual to lead our team of Hostel Support Officer within the Housing Needs & Advice Service.
The Senior Hostel Support Officer will provide day to day leadership, guidance and support to the Hostel Support Officer team, ensuring the delivery of high-quality, person centred and trauma informed support to residents living within the Council’s temporary accommodation.
Working closely with the Accommodation and Lettings Manager, the successful candidate will lead on staff development, mentoring, induction, performance monitoring and service improvement initiatives, ensuring consistency of practice across all shifts and maintaining high standards of support delivery.
You will need to have experience of working within a homeless hostel or supported living environment and be confident managing complex cases involving homelessness, trauma, mental health needs, substance misuse, offending behaviours and safeguarding concerns.
You will be an affective communicator with strong leadership skills.
You will have the ability to motivate, influence and support both residents and colleagues to achieve positive outcomes.
You will be committed to providing excellent customer service whilst maintaining professional boundaries and promoting independence.
You will possess:
- Experience of working within a homeless hostel, supported housing or similar environment.
- Experience of supervising, mentoring or supporting staff.
- Experience of managing complex and high-risk cases.
- Experience of completing and reviewing risk assessments and support plans.
- Knowledge of homelessness legislation, welfare benefits and tenancy-related matters.
- Knowledge of safeguarding adults and trauma-informed practice.
- Knowledge of mental health, substance misuse and the support needs of vulnerable adults.
- An understanding of income collection, rent recovery and debt management.
- Strong report-writing, administrative and record-keeping skills.
- Excellent organisational skills with the ability to prioritise competing demands.
- Good IT skills including Microsoft Office applications and case management systems.
What is the role?
Provide day to day supervision, guidance and support to Hostel Support Officers.
Support staff in managing complex behaviours, safeguarding and risk related issues.
Allocate and monitor workloads to ensure effective service delivery.
Support the recruitment, induction, training and ongoing development of staff.
Conduct quality assurance checks on support plans, risk assessments, case notes and other records. Ensuring that risks are appropriately identified, managed and mitigated.
Promote best practice and ensure consistency across the service.
Assist the Accommodation and Lettings Manager in the development and continuous improvement of hostel services.
Deputise for the Accommodation and Lettings Manager when required.
Lead on complex, high risk and challenging cases, providing professional guidance to colleagues.
Respond effectively to incidents, emergencies and safeguarding concerns.
Ensure compliance with safeguarding, risk management procedures, health and safety including fire safety and property standards.
Ensure the hostel remains safe, secure and well-maintained.
Develop and maintain effective working relationships with partner agencies.
Liaise with external agencies including social care, health services, police, and voluntary organisations.
Monitor service outcomes and performance indicators.
Contribute to audits, inspections and quality assurance processes.
Identify service improvements and support the implementation of new initiatives.
Who is the person?
We are looking for somebody who:
- Has experience of working within a homeless hostel, supported housing or homelessness service.
- Has experience of supervising, mentoring or supporting staff.
- Has experience of working with individuals with complex needs including homelessness, mental health issues, trauma, substance misuse and challenging behaviour.
- Has experience of completing, reviewing and managing risk assessments and support plans.
- Has an understanding of safeguarding and the needs of vulnerable adults.
- Has knowledge of homelessness legislation, welfare benefits and tenancy related matters.
- Has a general understanding of income collection and debt management.
- Has knowledge of Health and Social Care Act and its relevance to vulnerable adults.
- Is confident in making professional decisions in challenging situations.
- Can de-escalate conflict and manage challenging behaviour effectively.
- Can communicate confidently and professionally with residents, colleagues and partner agencies.
- Can produce accurate reports, case notes and professional correspondence.
- Has strong numerical and literacy skills.
- Has good IT skills including the use of Microsoft Office applications and case management systems.
- Can build positive working relationships and work collaboratively in a front line service environment.
- Demonstrates a commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion.
- Is committed to continuous improvement and the delivery of excellent customer service.
- Is willing to challenge existing ways of working and contribute positively to service development.
Special Conditions:
- Full current driving licence and have access to a vehicle for which a casual car user allowance will be paid.
- Ability to work flexibly; including occasional work outside normal working hours and on call management.
- Some duties require lone working in accordance with Council procedures.
Senior Hostel Support Officer - Gosport Borough Council employer: Portsmouth City Council
Portsmouth City Council is an exceptional employer, dedicated to fostering a positive and inclusive work culture that prioritises respect, integrity, and collaboration. As a SEN Team Leader, you will have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the lives of children and young people with special educational needs, while benefiting from professional development opportunities and a supportive team environment. Located in the vibrant city of Portsmouth, this role offers a unique chance to contribute to strategic SEND developments and be part of a forward-thinking organisation committed to service improvement and community well-being.
