At a Glance
- Tasks: Support vulnerable adults overnight, ensuring safety and providing emotional support.
- Company: Join a dynamic charity making a real difference in the community.
- Benefits: Generous leave, flexible working, and health support services.
- Other info: Exciting career growth opportunities in a supportive environment.
- Why this job: Be a vital part of helping individuals transition away from homelessness.
- Qualifications: Experience with vulnerable adults and strong communication skills required.
The predicted salary is between 29453 - 29453 £ per year.
Employment Type: Full Time, Permanent
Application Start Date: 13-08-2026
Application End Date: 06-09-2026
Location: Southampton, Hampshire, United Kingdom
Work Style: On-site
Category: Non-profit charitable organisations
Position Description: Waking Night Support Worker at Night Shelter Southampton
Hours: 42 Hours per week, on a rota basis of 4 on and 4 off
Salary: Point 20 (£29,453 per annum for 42 hours per week)
About Us: This is an exciting opportunity to join a dynamic Charity and Housing Association. The Society of St James (SSJ) has been working in Hampshire for over 50 years, delivering high impact, person-centred, accommodation services to adults and young people experiencing homelessness, problematic substance use and mental health problems. We believe that every person is of worth and we are prepared to take risks to house and support the most at risk and socially excluded members of society.
The Impact You’ll Make: As a Waking Night Support Worker, you will be on the frontline of providing a safe, trauma-informed service for vulnerable adults in Southampton who are rough sleeping or at immediate risk of it. You will be the steady presence throughout the night, ensuring service users who have no other safe housing options feel welcomed and secure. Your role is vital to the smooth running of the shelter, from the initial intake at 20:30 through to the morning transition. Whether you are conducting security patrols, assisting with housing management, or simply offering emotional support and de-escalation, your work directly contributes to a safe environment where individuals can begin their journey away from the streets.
Who We’re Looking For: We are looking for compassionate, resilient individuals who understand the complexities of homelessness, mental health, and substance misuse. You should be someone who remains calm under pressure and can handle challenging behaviour with a professional, trauma-informed approach. As this role involves a "4 on, 4 off" night shift pattern, you must be comfortable working independently during the night while maintaining strong communication with your wider team and the Operational Security Team. We value staff who take initiative, maintain clear professional boundaries, and are committed to the safety and wellbeing of our service users.
Essential Qualities and Skills: To be successful in this role, you will need to demonstrate:
- Experience & Knowledge: A background in working with vulnerable adults and an understanding of safeguarding, protection protocols, and lone working procedures.
- Communication: The ability to listen and communicate effectively with clients and colleagues, including providing clear handovers regarding risks.
- Crisis Management: Confidence in using your initiative to respond to emergencies and the ability to carry out risk assessments and management plans.
- Administrative & IT Literacy: Sufficient IT skills to use data management systems (INFORM), update online handovers, and complete incident reports by the end of your shift.
- Commitment to Safety: A proactive approach to health and safety, including a willingness to undertake training in administering naloxone and acting as a Fire Warden or First Aider.
- Practicality: Willingness to assist with site management, including setting out breakfast, managing laundry/linen, and ensuring communal areas remain clean.
What we can offer you: We value and recognise our staff, offering some generous benefits, as well as the satisfaction of helping people at risk:
- A competitive annual leave entitlement of 25 days rising to 30 days, plus public holidays
- Flexible working options
- Buying additional annual leave
- Comprehensive induction and training
- Counselling, financial, personal support and health and wellbeing services via our Employee Assistance Programme
- Company cycle to work scheme
- Discounted laptops and computers with Jamie’s Computers
- Electric Car Scheme
SSJ are an equal opportunity employer and we encourage applicants from all backgrounds and walks of life. At SSJ, we recognise the benefits of a supported workplace. SSJ is affiliated with Unite the Union.
Due to the high number of expected applicants, we do reserve the right to close this vacancy earlier. Should you not hear from us within 14 days of the closing date, please assume you have been unsuccessful on this occasion.
Waking Night Support Worker in Southampton employer: Society of St James
The Society of St James (SSJ) is an exceptional employer, dedicated to making a meaningful impact in the lives of vulnerable individuals in Southampton. With over 50 years of experience, SSJ offers a supportive work culture that values compassion and personal growth, providing extensive training and flexible working options. Employees enjoy generous benefits, including competitive annual leave, access to well-being services, and opportunities for professional development, all while contributing to a vital cause in the community.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Waking Night Support Worker in Southampton
✨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 Society of St James.
✨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 Society of St James!
✨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 Society of St James, 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 Society of St James 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 Waking Night Support Worker in Southampton
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 Society of St James:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Society of St James! 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 Society of St James
✨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.
