Painter and Decorator in Hastings

37.5 hours per week / permanent / working onsite Monday – Friday 9am-5pm. As a Painter and Decorator, you will be based in either Eastbourne or Hastings, East Sussex, and will be required to travel and work across any of our YMCA DLG sites, with demand varying throughout the year. A full UK driving licence is therefore essential, and a vehicle will be provided.

YMCA DownsLink Group is the leading charity for children and young people across Sussex and Surrey. We offer safe homes, mental health support and trusted advice. We believe that every child and young person has the right to be safe, heard and to shape their own future. We work alongside them to make that happen. We are here for children and young people, many of whom face multiple challenges and need our support.

Our Values - we do what’s right, we work with heart, and we build real connections – guide us in all our actions. The focus in our housing services is to help develop the young people’s skills and confidence so that they can move on from supported accommodation and live independently.

Do you take pride in creating safe, welcoming homes that make a real difference in young people’s lives? Our Maintenance team works across multiple properties to give our residents a good quality, safe home, working closely with project staff to identify repairs required, make repairs, undertake ad hoc cleaning and decoration, ensure compliance with health and safety regulations, and to make empty homes ready for re-occupation. We have sites across East Sussex, centred around our Foyers in Eastbourne and Hastings. These services provide 24-hour supported housing for young people aged 16–25, offering low to medium levels of housing-related support. There are homes throughout East Sussex for young people we continue to support into independence via our Transitional Housing teams, these are typically larger shared houses of four to eight residents sharing some communal facilities such as bathrooms and kitchens. In total there are approximately 180 residents in East Sussex that the maintenance team oversee.

A key part of the role involves redecorating empty homes to prepare them for new residents. This work must be completed promptly, to an agreed and consistent standard, and with clear communication to site and maintenance teams to ensure properties can be relet within void target times. You will also carry out planned redecoration within communal areas of our accommodation, as well as offices and workspaces used by our staff and volunteers.

If you’re excited about this role but your experience doesn’t match every single requirement, we still encourage you to apply. We know that skills and potential come in many forms, and your background may offer valuable transferable strengths.

Experience and Knowledge

• NVQ 2 or equivalent in painting and decorating, or equivalent work experience
• Practical experience in maintenance, cleaning, or decorating within supported housing, residential, or community‑based settings.
• A proven track record of delivering high‑quality work, with at least two years’ experience undertaking duties similar to those required in this role.
• A strong commitment to safety, quality, and resident wellbeing, ensuring all work is completed to a consistent and professional standard.
• Good knowledge of health and safety requirements relevant to painting, decorating, and maintenance work, including safe working practices and compliance procedures.
• An understanding of professional boundaries, alongside awareness of the challenges faced by vulnerable young people and how these may influence behaviour.
• A proactive and organised approach to managing workload, with the ability to prioritise effectively.
• Strong team‑working skills, with the confidence to both support and appropriately challenge colleagues where needed.

CLOSING DATE: Monday 25 May 2026 at midnight. If we find the right candidate sooner than expected, we may close the advert early - so early applications are strongly encouraged. Please note that we are unable to offer a work permit or visa sponsorship for this role; applicants must already have the right to live and work in the UK independently.

An inclusive workplace: We are committed to policies and practices of equity, diversity, and inclusion and to supporting our people to make sure our culture is consistent with this commitment.

Accessibility: If you require assistance or have questions regarding the application process, please do contact us. YMCA DLG requires all staff and volunteers to be committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and to respond proactively to safeguarding concerns. Successful applicants will undergo a thorough background screening process, conducted by an accredited third-party provider. This includes an Enhanced DBS check (with Children’s and Adults’ Barred Lists) as well as comprehensive reference and activity checks.