At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and support individuals transitioning from homelessness to stable living environments.
- Company: Join London's leading homelessness charity making a real difference.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible hours, generous leave, and comprehensive training.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Be part of a compassionate team dedicated to ending homelessness and transforming lives.
- Qualifications: Experience in support work, strong advocacy skills, and understanding of complex needs.
Single Homeless Project has an exciting opportunity for a Lead Support Worker to join our team based in Westminster, London. You will join us on a full-time, permanent basis. In return, you will receive a competitive salary starting at £29,822.41 and rising incrementally to £32,034.46 per annum. We’re London’s leading homelessness charity – and we get things done.
In a city where hundreds are forced into homelessness every day, our work has never been more needed or more challenging. We’re rolling up our sleeves to make change and helping over 10,000 Londoners every year. We prevent homelessness, provide safe places to live and give people the opportunity to rebuild their lives and transform their futures. We never give up.
We’re here for Londoners wherever they are on their journey. We start with trust, building relationships that help people feel safe, supported, and ready to move forward. Every day, we put people first in everything we do, challenging injustice and barriers that keep people from the safety, stability and opportunity they deserve. We stand alongside people as they rebuild and shape a future that feels their own.
Joining Single Homeless Project means joining a team that’s bold, compassionate and determined to do better for the people we support and for each other. You’ll work alongside colleagues with lived experience, in a space that’s trans-inclusive, disability-friendly, and actively striving to be anti-oppressive and equitable.
We’re not perfect, but we’re real. We listen. We learn. And we push forward, together. Because this isn’t just a job. It’s a chance to lead with empathy, spark change, and help build a London where no one is left behind.
About the Lead Support Worker role:
A front door is not the finish line. For people moving on from rough sleeping, accommodation can be the first real point of safety in years — but keeping it, trusting support and preparing for independent housing takes skill, patience and persistence.
As Lead Support Worker in our Rough Sleeping Accommodation Programme, you will support people accepted into RSAP move on accommodation to settle, sustain their tenancy and build the confidence, skills and connections they need to move forward. You will work with people who may be navigating trauma, poor mental health, substance use, offending histories, isolation or long periods of exclusion from services, offering support that is practical, consistent and rooted in their strengths.
You will take a lead role in referrals and assessments, develop high quality support and risk management plans, and work closely with housing, health, social care, criminal justice, substance use, mental health and community partners. From helping someone manage rent, bills and repairs, to advocating when systems become a barrier, you will be part of turning accommodation into a stable platform for longer term independence.
This is a role for someone who can combine warmth with tenacity. You will need to build trust, hold boundaries, stay calm when progress is uneven, and bring creative energy to complex situations. In return, Single Homeless Project (SHP) will support you to keep developing your practice, deepen your knowledge and grow your career in a values-led organisation committed to ending homelessness.
About you:
- You know that ending rough sleeping takes more than a housing offer — and you bring the patience, skill and persistence to help people turn accommodation into something safe, stable and lasting.
- You can build trust with people who may have every reason to be wary of services, using consistency, honesty and clear boundaries to keep support moving forward.
- You understand how trauma, mental health, substance use, offending, poverty and exclusion can shape someone’s choices, risks and relationship with support.
- You are confident turning complex needs into clear action, from assessments and support plans to risk management, case notes and practical housing sustainment work.
- You are a strong advocate and creative problem solver, able to work with partners, challenge barriers and keep pushing for progress when systems are difficult to navigate.
Our attractive benefits package includes:
- A salary increase after successfully completing six month’s probationary period
- A 37.5 hour working week including flexible working hours (core hours are 10am – 4pm) in non-accommodation services
- 25 days annual leave, increasing annually to the maximum 30 days (plus paid Bank Holidays)
- A contributory pension scheme: Single Homeless Project will contribute the equivalent of 5% of your annual salary
- Staff Health Cash Plan and discounts scheme
- Comprehensive and integrated training programme designed specifically to develop the skills and knowledge involved in our work
Closing date: Tuesday 21st July at midnight. Interview date: Thursday 30th or Friday 31st July online via Microsoft Teams. Please note shortlisted candidates will be required to complete a short psychometric test before being confirmed for interview. This post will require an Enhanced DBS check to be processed (by SHP) for the successful applicant.
Please note applications are reviewed for AI use in application questions. Applications with insufficient/without current right to work or requiring sponsorship will not be accepted or progressed. Single Homeless Project is actively committed to equal opportunities and the promotion of diversity and inclusion, in all of our services and workplaces. We are also Disability Confident Committed and are IIP Silver accredited.
Lead Support Worker employer: SINGLE HOMELESS PROJECT
Single Homeless Project is an exceptional employer dedicated to making a real difference in the lives of Londoners facing homelessness. With a strong focus on employee growth, we offer comprehensive training programmes and a supportive work culture that values compassion and collaboration. Our competitive benefits package, including flexible working hours and generous annual leave, ensures that our team members are well-equipped to lead with empathy and drive meaningful change in the community.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead Support Worker
✨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 SINGLE HOMELESS PROJECT.
✨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 SINGLE HOMELESS PROJECT!
✨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 SINGLE HOMELESS PROJECT, 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 SINGLE HOMELESS PROJECT 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 Lead Support Worker
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 SINGLE HOMELESS PROJECT:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to SINGLE HOMELESS PROJECT! 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 SINGLE HOMELESS PROJECT
✨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.
