At a Glance
- Tasks: Support vulnerable individuals facing homelessness and provide essential services at the Rough Sleeping Hub.
- Company: Portsmouth City Council, dedicated to making a positive impact in the community.
- Benefits: Full-time role with a supportive team and opportunities for personal growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while gaining valuable experience.
- Qualifications: Experience with vulnerable populations and strong communication skills are preferred.
- Other info: Flexible shifts, including weekends and bank holidays, in a dynamic work environment.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 42000 £ per year.
Portsmouth City Council is a unique organisation, committed to making a difference, and is guided by core values that set who we are as people, what we stand for, and how we act. We are committed to our values of respect, integrity, collaboration, inclusivity and being people-focussed.
We are looking for a Rough Sleeping Hub Support Worker to join our Housing Needs, Advice & Support team, working directly with customers to help deal with housing issues and prevent homelessness in the city. This is a full-time role based at the Rough Sleeping Hub in Portsmouth.
The Rough Sleeping Hub provides help for people who are street homeless, or at risk of becoming street homeless. People can access friendly and personalised support in a safe space which is open 8am - 4pm, seven days a week and 365 days a year. The Hub aims to provide a range of facilities and support for its service users, including:
- a breakfast and hot drinks
- shower and laundry facilities
- lockers to store valuables and belongings
- access to computers and the internet
- support with healthcare needs and on-site access to Homeless Health care professionals
- housing advice
- use of the building as a ‘care of’ address
- support with benefits and bank accounts
- general guidance and signposting to other services based on their personal situation
Reporting to the Senior Rough Sleeping Hub Support Worker, you will be part of a small team which will staff the Hub, providing rough sleepers access to the facilities and services offered. The Rough Sleeping Hub is open seven days a week, including all bank holidays, and accordingly you will work on a rota that enables this level of provision. You will be required to ensure the Rough Sleeping Hub environment is safe, secure and of high standard.
Who is the person?
Somebody who:
- Ideally has experience working with vulnerable and homeless people, or households with housing problems, and a desire to work to resolve these issues.
- Has an awareness of the Equality Act 2010 and the Care Act 2014, and of adult safeguarding principles and procedures.
- An awareness of relevant housing legislation such as the Housing Act 1996, Homelessness Act 2002 and Homeless Reduction Act 2017 would be beneficial for this role.
- Is able to advocate for customers by developing positive relationships with other agencies (ie mental health services, probation, substance misuse services) and be the single point of contact if required.
- Is confident in making risk assessments in relation to customers' circumstances, including identifying potential safeguarding concerns, to ensure a safe working environment at all times.
- Is able to listen to people and not rush to conclusions or judgements before fully understanding what is needed or wanted by a customer.
- Has tact and diplomacy; the ability to deal with sensitive and confidential issues that may require a variety of responses.
- The right person will be able to manage challenging situations whilst remaining professional and objective.
- Possesses negotiating and advocacy skills.
- Able to work on their own initiative and who can be proactive, and solution focused.
- Able to work well within a highly functioning team, supporting your peers and supervisor to manage a caseload of clients.
- Is emotionally resilient and able to deal with the impact of being exposed to customers' difficult circumstances.
- Can maintain accurate records of all clients who you come into contact with to enable concise data collection.
- Has the ability to communicate clearly to colleagues, partners and customers, verbally and in writing.
- Is competent in the use of IT to manage and monitor a small team's caseload effectively, recording information appropriately on the required management information system.
- Basic ICT skills, including the use of Word, Excel and PowerPoint, Outlook and other Office 365 applications such as SharePoint.
- Is able to work flexibly as part of a rota, which will include shifts on some weekends and bank holidays.
You must demonstrate why you are suitable against each of the points described in the 'Who is the Person' points on the Job Profile using examples from your experience or transferable skills. This might be through qualifications or descriptive examples from your work/personal experience, which clearly illustrates what you did and the effect it had.
Assessments & interviews: 16th - 18th February 2026.
We are a disability confident employer and Armed Forces Covenant gold standard.
Rough Sleeping Hub Support Worker - Portsmouth in Isle of Wight employer: Portsmouth City Council
Contact Detail:
Portsmouth City Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Rough Sleeping Hub Support Worker - Portsmouth in Isle of Wight
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the Rough Sleeping Hub inside out! Familiarise yourself with the services offered and the challenges faced by rough sleepers. This way, when you chat with the team or during interviews, you can show that you're genuinely interested and ready to make a difference.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Connect with people in the housing and support sectors on LinkedIn or local community events. Building relationships can open doors and give you insights into the role that you won't find in the job description.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your interview skills! Get a friend to throw some common interview questions your way, especially those related to working with vulnerable individuals. The more comfortable you are, the better you'll come across when it counts.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, you can tailor your application to highlight how your experience aligns with the values of Portsmouth City Council. Don’t miss out!
We think you need these skills to ace Rough Sleeping Hub Support Worker - Portsmouth in Isle of Wight
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: When writing your application, let your passion for helping vulnerable people shine through. Share personal experiences or motivations that drive you to work in this field. We want to see that you genuinely care about making a difference!
Tailor Your Personal Statement: Make sure to address each point in the 'Who is the Person' section of the job profile. Use specific examples from your past experiences that demonstrate your skills and how they relate to the role. This is your chance to stand out, so don’t hold back!
Keep It Clear and Concise: While we love a good story, keep your application clear and to the point. Avoid jargon and make sure your writing is easy to understand. A well-structured application will help us see your qualifications without getting lost in the details.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our careers portal! It’s the best way to ensure it gets to the right people. Plus, you’ll find all the info you need about the role and our values there, which can help you tailor your application even more.
How to prepare for a job interview at Portsmouth City Council
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on the relevant housing legislation like the Housing Act 1996 and the Homelessness Act 2002. Being able to discuss these laws confidently will show that you're serious about the role and understand the challenges faced by rough sleepers.
✨Show Your Empathy
Prepare examples from your past experiences where you've worked with vulnerable individuals. Highlight how you listened to their needs and advocated for them. This will demonstrate your ability to connect with service users and handle sensitive situations with tact.
✨Team Player Vibes
Since you'll be working in a small team, think of times when you've collaborated effectively with others. Be ready to share how you supported your peers and contributed to a positive team environment, as this is crucial for the role.
✨Stay Calm Under Pressure
Interviews can be nerve-wracking, especially for a role dealing with challenging circumstances. Practice answering questions about how you've managed difficult situations in the past while remaining professional. This will show your emotional resilience and problem-solving skills.
