At a Glance
- Tasks: Support individuals experiencing homelessness by sharing your lived experience and building trusting relationships.
- Company: Join South Yorkshire Housing Association, dedicated to making a difference in the community.
- Benefits: Flexible hours, generous holiday, wellbeing perks, and access to training.
- Other info: Diverse backgrounds welcomed; excellent career development opportunities in a supportive environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by helping others navigate their challenges and improve their lives.
- Qualifications: Lived experience of homelessness or insecure housing is essential; strong communication skills are a must.
We have an exciting opportunity for a Lived Experience Peer Support Worker to work alongside Sheffield City Council's Rough Sleeper Teams and Street Outreach Service. You will play a part in the delivery of the Council's Rough Sleeping Programme and Strategy, with the aim of improving people's experience and outcomes.
What we are looking for:
- The majority of people who are Rough Sleeping or at risk of have experienced multiple disadvantage and trauma.
- You will act as a mentor and expert by experience to people rough sleeping or at risk of rough sleeping.
- You will use your lived experience and insight to increase engagement, build relationships and develop understanding.
- We are looking for a compassionate and dedicated individual, and we welcome people from diverse backgrounds with different life experiences.
- It is essential that you have lived experience in any one or more of the following areas:
- Homelessness
- Insecure Housing
- Rough Sleeping
- Criminal Justice System (Desirable)
Who you are:
- Excellent at building trusting relationships, strong communication and active listening skills, great at reaching out, connecting and engaging with a wide range of people.
- Empathetic and non-judgemental; open, honest and friendly, able to see and support the potential in people.
- A well of positivity, hopeful and optimistic, always seeking solutions.
- Have a good understanding of the challenges faced by those experiencing homelessness and the systemic factors contributing to homelessness.
- Knowledge of local resources and support services for individuals experiencing homelessness is advantageous.
- Have lived experience yourself of either homelessness or insecure housing, rough sleeping and/or the criminal justice system.
- Ideally you will have been in recovery for a minimum of 2 years.
- Able to use your own lived experience to support others in an authentic, credible and appropriate way.
- Willing to develop your practice in peer support, strength-based approaches and motivational interviewing.
Please see the job description and person specification for more information, including the strengths we believe will lead to success in this role.
More about the role:
This specific service is funded by Sheffield City Council. SYHA deliver a Coproduction and Peer Support Service to support the Changing Futures programme in Sheffield. This role will sit under the Changing Futures umbrella and add to our existing Peer Support Worker roles.
Where will you be based?
The post will be based at SYHA's head office at 152 Rockingham Street, Sheffield, with co-location in the Rough Sleeper and Housing First Teams, within and commissioned by Sheffield City Council. You may also be required to work at other partner organisations such as community settings, prison, probation, and voluntary services in line with the requirements of the role.
Benefits:
- Flexible working hours of 37 hours per week, negotiable (we're happy to discuss part-time hours).
- 27 days holiday, plus 8 bank holidays, plus 4 SYHA days connected to bank holidays (pro-rated for part-time staff).
- Benefits which include an excellent flexible working scheme, family friendly perks, wellbeing scheme, discounts scheme.
- Access to a wide range of training and development to support you in your role.
- Pension contribution.
Who we are:
At South Yorkshire Housing Association, our purpose is for our customers to settle at home, live well and realise their potential. Feeling settled and living well means different things to the people and families that live across South Yorkshire. So, we work with people in different ways from our extra-care housing, to providing services and opportunities that individuals can access in their home, workplace and community, to creating houses for affordable rent. Our employees enable us to create the best services, support, and experiences for our customers. We believe that difference makes us better, and that our services are made stronger by having a diverse workforce. We encourage and welcome applications from all backgrounds. At SYHA, we value the incredible contribution and talent that people with disabilities can and do bring to our workplace and we are proud to be a Disability Confident Employer. As part of our commitments, we will ensure that disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the role will be guaranteed the opportunity to demonstrate their abilities at interview. To be considered under the scheme, disabled applicants must disclose their disability (as defined by the Equality Act 2010) on the Equal Opportunities section of the job application. SYHA does not hold a sponsorship license and are unable to provide visa sponsorship.
Please note that we may remove this advert prior to the advertised date, dependent on the level of response received. Please apply at your earliest convenience.
Lived Experience Peer Support Worker (Homelessness/Rough Sleeping) employer: South Yorkshire Housing Association
As a forward-thinking and values-driven housing association, we pride ourselves on fostering a supportive work culture that prioritises employee well-being and professional growth. Our Finance Administrators enjoy flexible working arrangements, competitive salaries, and the opportunity to contribute to meaningful projects that positively impact the community in Sheffield.
Contact Details:
South Yorkshire Housing Association Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Lived Experience Peer Support Worker (Homelessness/Rough Sleeping)
✨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 South Yorkshire 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 South Yorkshire 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 South Yorkshire 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 South Yorkshire 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 Lived Experience Peer Support Worker (Homelessness/Rough Sleeping)
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 South Yorkshire Housing Association:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to South Yorkshire 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 South Yorkshire 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.
