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- Tasks: Support individuals experiencing homelessness through outreach and tenancy assistance.
- Company: Join Southdown, a leading provider of care and housing services in Sussex for over 50 years.
- Benefits: Enjoy health cashback schemes, interest-free loans, discounts on travel, and 25 days paid holiday.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by helping others transition from homelessness to stable living environments.
- Qualifications: Empathy, a driving licence, and availability for early morning shifts are essential; experience is a plus.
- Other info: Full training provided; applications close on 11th May, so apply soon!
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 42000 £ per year.
What you'll be doing:
Are you passionate about ending the cycle of rough sleeping for people who are experiencing homelessness? Are you interested in a career in housing support, mental health recovery and wellbeing development? Southdowns Outreach and Move On teams support those who are rough sleeping to move away from homelessness by accessing accommodation options. As a Housing Support Specialist you'll work alongside a multi-agency team, supporting people who have experienced the trauma of homelessness, to make positive and lasting changes in their lives. You'll provide early morning street outreach to people sleeping rough in Hastings and Rother, combined with move on / tenancy support as your clients take steps away from homelessness and into accommodation.
You’ll provide flexible, trauma-informed support, focusing on ending rough sleeping by identifying the support each person needs. This may include support with substance dependency, mental and physical health needs, domestic abuse, current or historical offending.
We welcome applications from candidates with previous experience in roles such as Support Worker, Outreach Worker, Community Specialist, Case Manager, Social Worker, Housing Support Worker, Social Care Prescriber, Community Health Worker, Community Outreach Coordinator or Care Coordinator. However, this is not essential and we will provide a full induction and training programme for all successful candidates.
Perks and benefits:
- Health cost cash-back scheme: access to our health insurance scheme which covers dental, optical, physical therapies and other medical treatments with the option to add greater levels of cover.
- Interest-free loans: assistance with larger costs that arise such as tenancy deposits, season travel tickets or buying a car.
- Access to the Easit Network: discounts and incentives on train, bus and car journeys such as 15% off eligible daily and season rail tickets.
- Blue Light card: access to discount services for the social care sector with savings across thousands of online shops, restaurants, and high-street vendors.
- Free advice and counselling service: confidential emotional support and practical guidance from our independent telephone service.
- 25 days paid holiday plus bank holidays.
- RSI Rough Sleepers Allowance- £800 per year.
- Essential car user allowance- £1,000 per year.
- Unsociable hours allowance an extra £4.40 per shift.
Skills, knowledge and experience:
What you need for the role:
- Available to work unsociable hours (2 early morning shifts per week starting at 5am or 6am)
- A personalised care approach, with empathy and understanding
- An Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, which will be paid for by Southdown
- A Full Driving Licence is essential along with access to your own car or a car insured for you
What would be nice:
- Knowledge of complex and diverse support needs relating to homelessness, mental health and substance misuse
- Awareness of the causes of rough sleeping and the barriers preventing people who are rough sleeping from engaging in services
- Experience working in a supported housing or homelessness setting
- Experience supporting individuals with complex mental health needs
Training:
Our award-winning in-house training team will help you to gain valuable qualifications, continually develop your skills and build a great career with the largest provider of housing, care and support in Sussex.
How to apply:
Please click on the Apply Now button and fill out our simple one-page application form. The application closing date is 11th May and interviews will be held on 21st May. Please note, if we receive a large number of applications then this position may close before the advertised application closing date. We encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible.
About Southdown:
We are a Disability Confident Employer and are fully committed to supporting Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) and welcome applications from all candidates that meet our job specifications. If you feel there is a barrier that potentially prevents you from applying, do get in contact with us, as we are always happy to discuss (or arrange a discussion with the recruiting manager) to explore if any reasonable adjustments can be made to support your application.
Housing Support Specialist - Outreach and Move On Worker in St. Leonards-On-Sea employer: Southdown
Contact Detail:
Southdown Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Housing Support Specialist - Outreach and Move On Worker in St. Leonards-On-Sea
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the specific challenges faced by individuals experiencing homelessness. Understanding the complexities of mental health, substance misuse, and trauma will help you connect better with potential clients and demonstrate your commitment to their wellbeing.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the housing support sector. Attend local events or workshops related to homelessness and outreach work. Building relationships with others in the field can provide valuable insights and may even lead to job referrals.
✨Tip Number 3
Highlight any relevant volunteer experience or training in your discussions. Even if you haven't worked directly in a housing support role, showcasing your passion for helping others and any related skills can set you apart from other candidates.
✨Tip Number 4
Be prepared to discuss your availability for unsociable hours during interviews. Since the role requires early morning shifts, showing flexibility and a willingness to adapt your schedule can demonstrate your commitment to the position.
We think you need these skills to ace Housing Support Specialist - Outreach and Move On Worker in St. Leonards-On-Sea
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Read the job description thoroughly to grasp the responsibilities and requirements of the Housing Support Specialist position. Tailor your application to highlight how your skills and experiences align with the role.
Highlight Relevant Experience: If you have experience in roles such as Support Worker or Outreach Worker, make sure to detail this in your CV and cover letter. Use specific examples to demonstrate your ability to support individuals facing homelessness and related challenges.
Showcase Your Skills: Emphasise your personalised care approach, empathy, and understanding in your application. Mention any relevant training or qualifications that would benefit your role as a Housing Support Specialist.
Follow Application Instructions: Make sure to complete the simple one-page application form as instructed. Double-check for any specific requirements or documents needed before submitting your application to ensure everything is in order.
How to prepare for a job interview at Southdown
✨Show Your Passion for the Role
Make sure to express your genuine interest in ending homelessness and supporting those in need. Share any personal experiences or motivations that drive your passion for this work, as it will resonate with the interviewers.
✨Demonstrate Empathy and Understanding
Given the nature of the role, it's crucial to showcase your ability to empathise with individuals facing homelessness. Prepare examples from your past experiences where you provided support or understanding to someone in a difficult situation.
✨Highlight Relevant Experience
Even if you don't have direct experience in housing support, draw parallels from your previous roles. Discuss any relevant skills or experiences that align with the responsibilities of a Housing Support Specialist, such as working with vulnerable populations or in community outreach.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that assess how you would handle specific situations related to homelessness and support needs. Think through potential scenarios and how you would approach them, focusing on trauma-informed care and personalised support.
