At a Glance
- Tasks: Support individuals facing homelessness with 24-hour assistance in various settings.
- Company: Join Simon Community, dedicated to ending homelessness and improving lives.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, healthcare, generous leave, and development opportunities.
- Other info: Dynamic role with excellent career growth and health initiatives.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while working in a supportive team.
- Qualifications: Commitment to core values and basic IT skills; experience in support roles is a plus.
The predicted salary is between 14.2 - 14.2 £ per hour.
Job ref: ACSW/DP/0726
Job type: Permanent
Quantity of Posts Available: 1
Closing date: Sunday 26 Jul 2026 16:00
Salary: £24,312 - £25,850 per annum (£13.36 - £14.20 per hour)
Location: Downpatrick
Hours: 35 hours per week - three 12.5 hours shifts, including weekends and waking nights
About Us
At Simon Community, our values define who we are and how we support those in need. We are:
- Non-judgmental in every interaction
- Supportive, meeting people where they are
- Trustworthy, building relationships based on respect
- Dedicated to ending homelessness and improving lives
Role Overview
As a Support Worker, you'll be part of a dedicated team providing 24-hour support to individuals accessing our services. This includes working within hostels, family units, and remote support settings to help people experiencing or at risk of homelessness.
What You'll Need
Essential Criteria
- A clear commitment to our core values: Non-Judgmental, Supportive, Trustworthy, and Dedicated
- Basic IT skills (email, internet, data entry)
- Registered with NISCC (or willingness to register upon appointment)
- Willingness to undergo an Access NI check
Desirable Criteria
- Minimum of six months' experience (paid or voluntary in the last 3 years) working with individuals facing multiple and complex needs, including:
- Homelessness Prevention
- Substance Misuse
- Offending Behavior
- Mental Health Challenges
- Support for Young People
- Experience identifying support needs, assessing risks, and developing tailored support plans
- A degree in Social Work or current enrollment in a Social Work degree program
Why Join Simon Community?
We are proud to offer a comprehensive benefits package, including:
- Pension Scheme
- Employer-Funded Healthcare (Benenden Health & Health Shield)
- Death in Service Benefit
- Generous Annual Leave
- Free Access NI Check
- Occupational Sick Pay
- Health & Wellbeing Initiatives
- Learning & Development Opportunities
- Management Development Programmes
- Long Service Recognition
- Blue Light Card (exclusive discounts)
To be considered for this role you will be redirected to and must complete the application process on our careers page. To start the process click the Apply button below to Login/Register.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Accommodation & Community Support Worker in Crawley
✨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 Simon Community.
✨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 Simon Community!
✨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 Simon Community, 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 Simon Community 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 Accommodation & Community Support Worker in Crawley
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 Simon Community:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Simon Community! 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 Simon Community
✨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.
