At a Glance
- Tasks: Support individuals facing homelessness and complex needs to achieve stability and independence.
- Company: Join a dedicated team delivering specialist homelessness services.
- Benefits: Full-time role with competitive salary and opportunities for professional development.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for growth and collaboration with various agencies.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives and help them find their way home.
- Qualifications: Experience in social care, mental health, or homelessness support is essential.
We are recruiting on behalf of a client delivering specialist homelessness and supported accommodation services for a Complex Needs Keyworker to support individuals experiencing homelessness, rough sleeping, and multiple disadvantage. This role is suited to an experienced support professional who is passionate about helping individuals with complex needs achieve greater stability, independence, and positive life outcomes. The successful candidate will provide person-centred, trauma-informed support to individuals facing a range of challenges including homelessness, mental health issues, substance misuse, offending behaviours, physical health concerns, and barriers to maintaining independent living.
As a Complex Needs Keyworker, you will be responsible for managing a caseload, delivering structured support, assessing needs and risks, and working collaboratively with partner agencies to help individuals progress towards sustainable accommodation and improved wellbeing.
Key Responsibilities- Deliver regular 1-1 support sessions and engagement activities to motivate and support residents.
- Complete needs assessments, risk assessments, support plans, and reviews, ensuring support remains tailored to individual circumstances and goals.
- Provide practical and emotional support focused on housing stability, wellbeing, life skills, tenancy readiness, and independent living.
- Deliver support using a trauma-informed, strengths-based, and non-judgemental approach.
- Manage and respond appropriately to challenging behaviour, safeguarding concerns, incidents, and changing levels of risk.
- Maintain accurate case records, support notes, reports, and internal system updates in line with compliance requirements.
- Liaise with external professionals and agencies including housing providers, healthcare services, substance misuse teams, probation, and local authorities to coordinate effective support pathways.
- Attend multi-agency meetings, case reviews, and professional discussions where required.
- Support day-to-day housing management duties including welfare checks, room preparation, and reporting maintenance or safety concerns.
- Participate in team meetings, supervision, training, and continuous professional development.
- Previous experience working within homelessness, supported housing, mental health, substance misuse, social care, criminal justice, or complex needs environments.
- Experience completing assessments, support planning, risk management, and safeguarding processes.
- Good understanding of homelessness, social exclusion, trauma-informed practice, and person-centred support delivery.
- Strong communication, relationship-building, and organisational skills.
- Ability to work independently, manage competing priorities, and contribute effectively within a team environment.
- Competent IT, administration, and record-keeping skills.
- Experience within supported accommodation or homelessness services.
- Knowledge of local support pathways and referral processes.
- Relevant qualification in Health & Social Care, Housing, Mental Health, Social Work, or a related field.
This is an excellent opportunity to join a rewarding service supporting vulnerable individuals to achieve positive change, improved wellbeing, and long-term housing outcomes.
Housing Support Worker in Lancaster employer: Rotherwood
As a Housing Support Worker, you will be part of a compassionate and dedicated team committed to making a real difference in the lives of individuals facing homelessness and complex needs. Our organisation fosters a supportive work culture that prioritises professional development, offering ongoing training and opportunities for growth within the sector. Located in a vibrant community, we provide a unique chance to engage with local agencies and resources, ensuring that our employees can effectively support those in need while enjoying a fulfilling career.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Housing Support Worker in Lancaster
✨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 Rotherwood.
✨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 Rotherwood!
✨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 Rotherwood, 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 Rotherwood 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 Lancaster
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 Rotherwood:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Rotherwood! 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 Rotherwood
✨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.
