Hostels Support Officer in London

As a Hostels Support Officer, you will play a key part in ensuring the safe, supportive, and effective day‑to‑day running of our hostels for vulnerable adults. Working as part of the Supported Pathways team, you will help residents maintain their accommodation, access essential services, and work towards greater independence.

Responsibilities

• Providing a welcoming reception service, including greeting visitors, distributing post, and answering enquiries.
• Supporting residents with maintaining their accommodation, including monitoring rent and service charge accounts, and assisting with benefit claims and key appointments.
• Carrying out regular room checks, health and safety inspections, and hostel walkabouts to ensure safety and compliance.
• Assisting in the quick turnaround of void rooms—raising repairs, coordinating furniture orders, and preparing rooms for new residents.
• Offering practical support to reduce social isolation, including accompanying residents to appointments where appropriate.
• Working collaboratively with colleagues and partner agencies to safeguard residents and support their progression.
• Monitoring contractors such as cleaners, pest control, and maintenance teams to ensure high service standards.
• Supporting tenancy sustainment by identifying risks early and helping residents manage their finances effectively.
• Assisting with processes related to evictions, including inventories, evidence gathering, and storage arrangements when necessary.

Qualifications & Experience

• Experience of working with people who are homeless or who have complex support needs.
• Knowledge of safeguarding, risk assessment, the Care Act, housing legislation, and welfare benefits.
• Understanding of health and safety responsibilities within supported housing settings.
• Experience working in multi‑agency environments and coordinating support effectively.
• Skills in communication, record‑keeping, workload planning, and preparing basic written correspondence.
• Commitment to equality, anti‑discrimination, and person‑centred support.
• GCSEs (or equivalent) in Maths and English (Grade 4 or above).
• Ability to promote independence while providing practical and emotional support.

Other Requirements

• Requires a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) clearance at Enhanced - Adults (Barred) level.
• You should be prepared to work across various hostel locations when required and on an alternating rota of early shifts (8am‑4pm) and late shifts (12pm‑8pm) Monday to Friday, with no weekends or bank holidays.
• The role does not offer hybrid working.

Inclusivity

We particularly welcome applications from members of the black, Asian, and ethnic minority communities. We also offer a guaranteed interview scheme for specific groups, including armed forces veterans, individuals currently in or who have previously been in care, and those who consider themselves disabled or have a long‑term health condition.