At a Glance
- Tasks: Support women overcoming homelessness by building trust and encouraging independence.
- Company: Join Salvation Army Homes, a leading provider of supported housing in the UK.
- Benefits: Enjoy a welcome payment, generous leave, discounts, and career development support.
- Other info: Dynamic role with flexible shifts and opportunities for personal growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while gaining valuable experience.
- Qualifications: Empathy, reliability, and a willingness to learn are key; experience is a bonus.
The predicted salary is between 24000 - 30000 £ per year.
About The Role
Make a real difference in someone's life. Mulberry House, our supported housing service in Guildford, is looking for a caring and motivated Support Worker to join our team. At Salvation Army Homes, we provide high-quality housing, support, and resettlement services for women aged 18-66. We help residents rebuild their lives, move towards independence, and address challenges such as addiction, mental health issues, or financial difficulties.
Experience isn't essential but what matters most is empathy, reliability, and a willingness to learn. Lived experience of care, homelessness, addiction, or mental health recovery is an advantage, as is experience working with young people.
You will support women who are currently or have recently experienced homelessness by:
- Building trusting relationships
- Encouraging independence and personal growth
- Supporting participation in social and wellbeing activities
- Helping with day-to-day practical needs
This is a 24/7 service with shifts including: 8:00am-4:00pm, 3:00pm-11:00pm, and sleep-ins (paid additionally) until 8:00am.
What We Offer:
- £100 welcome payment, plus £250 at 6 months and £250 at 12 months
- 26 days annual leave, rising to 31 days
- An extra day off for your birthday
- High Street discount scheme
- Pension with life assurance
- Discounted private medical insurance
- Emergency loans
- Occupational Sick Pay
- Full induction and ongoing training
- Long service awards from 2.5 years
- Career development support
About The Candidate
Working in a way that aligns with our Values and Behaviours will come naturally to you. We also need you to have energy and passion, along with a positive, can-do attitude in your daily contribution to transforming lives.
You will need to:
- Be a confident and capable communicator
- Be able to build trusting, professional relationships
- Be able to help people to develop their skills, strengths and talents
- Have good knowledge or experience of working with homeless people, and/or supporting vulnerable people or groups
- Have a good idea of the wider community resources and organisations available to support our residents and be comfortable dealing with difficult or complex situations
About The Company
A registered social landlord and one of the leading providers of supported housing in the UK, Salvation Army Homes is dedicated to transforming lives by providing accommodation and support for some of the most vulnerable members of society - mainly people with complex needs and/or experiencing homelessness.
Our aim is to work with individuals to build on their strengths, creating person-centred, individualised strategies and plans that transform lives, support recovery and enable positive behaviour. In order to succeed, however, we need the right people in place. Our workforce is one of our greatest assets, but only by recruiting the very best can we continue to deliver comprehensive, good quality housing services, support and resettlement services to our residents. That's where you come in.
As an equal opportunities employer, Salvation Army Homes is committed to the equal treatment of all current and prospective employees and does not condone discrimination on the basis of age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race or ethnicity, religion or belief, gender identity, or marriage and civil partnership. We invite and welcome applications to apply for Salvation Army Homes opportunities without concern of bias or discrimination.
We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.
Locations
Support Worker in Guildford, Surrey employer: Salvation Army Housing Association
Salvation Army Homes is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and inclusive work culture that values individual differences and champions personal growth. As a Service Manager at the Surrey Women's Service, you will not only have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the lives of vulnerable women but also benefit from generous annual leave, comprehensive healthcare plans, and professional development support. Join us in transforming lives while enjoying a fulfilling career in a dynamic environment where your contributions are truly valued.
Contact Details:
Salvation Army Housing Association Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Support Worker in Guildford, Surrey
✨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 Salvation Army Housing Association.
✨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 Salvation Army Housing Association!
✨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 Salvation Army Housing Association, 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 Salvation Army Housing Association 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 Support Worker in Guildford, Surrey
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 Salvation Army Housing Association:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Salvation Army Housing Association! 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 Salvation Army Housing Association
✨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.
