Hiring: Supported Accommodation Housing Support Worker

37.5 hours per week / permanent / working onsite on a seven-day rolling rota, including evenings, weekends and bank holidays. 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 are here for children and young people, many of whom face multiple challenges and need our support. Our Eastbourne and Hailsham services provide 24-hour supported housing for young people aged 16–25, offering low to medium levels of housing-related support. Eastbourne Foyer houses 33 young people, while our two Hailsham sites - Grove House and Newton Park - houses 7 and 3 young people respectively, all with shared communal facilities. Across all three sites, we support residents to develop the skills needed for independent living. This includes managing finances and budgeting, building life and work skills, and maintaining personal self-care. Our staff take a trauma-informed and psychologically informed approach, supporting residents to build essential life skills, identify personal goals, and work towards their aspirations so they can move on to independent and fulfilling futures. Our dedicated team of Support Workers, Night Workers, and Bank Workers provide personalised guidance, practical assistance, and signposting in key areas including housing, budgeting, daily living skills, employment, and healthy relationship building. We are looking for a Supported Housing Support Worker to join our team at Eastbourne Foyer, with the expectation of working from our other sites in Hailsham when required. Through these sessions, you will work together to develop personalised support plans, track progress, and help residents achieve their goals. Housing and Compliance Support young people to understand and comply with their occupancy agreements, including coaching them to meet house rules and responsibilities as part of preparing for successful independent living. Promote a strong rent‑payment and credit culture, encouraging residents to maintain regular payments and understand their financial obligations. Maintain up‑to‑date knowledge of housing legislation, welfare benefits, and statutory requirements affecting young people, ensuring practice aligns with current housing law and organisational policies. Coaching and Engagement Coach young people so they can articulate their aspirations and ambitions and take the lead in acquiring the skills they need to live independent and fulfilling lives. Ensure young people are encouraged to take responsibility for their own personal development, to engage with the services on offer and build strong networks and connections within the local community. Ensure consistent standards of safeguarding and Trauma Informed Practice when supporting young people, observing our safeguarding procedures, and keeping yourself and residents safe by respecting professional boundaries. Maintain client records on In-Form (client database) detailing the young person’s journey in relation to their strengths and needs, any risks, and any outcomes (to monitor service performance). There will be times when lone working will be a requirement for this role, but you will get to know the team and service, along with an induction and training prior to starting on a rota. you will be passionate about being involved in the support and growth of young people. Experience in housing or supported accommodation, ideally supporting young people with multiple and complex needs. Good knowledge of housing legislation, safeguarding procedures, and compliance requirements, with the ability to maintain clear professional boundaries. Familiarity with statutory and voluntary services available to young people and ability to work proactively with a caseload to support progression towards independent living. Ability to communicate clearly both verbally and in writing for appropriate recording of a resident’s progression, and to evidence outcomes achieved. Ability to de-escalate volatile situations and manage challenging behaviour appropriately. CLOSING DATE: Sunday 18 October at midnight, with a proposed interview date of Wednesday 28 October 2026. 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. 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. This includes an Enhanced DBS check (with Children’s and Adults’ Barred Lists) as well as comprehensive reference and activity checks.