At a Glance
- Tasks: Support young people overnight, ensuring safety and providing guidance for personal development.
- Company: YMCA DownsLink Group, a leading charity supporting children and young people.
- Benefits: Permanent role with competitive hours, training opportunities, and a supportive team environment.
- Other info: Join a dynamic team committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in young people's lives while developing essential skills.
- Qualifications: Empathy, understanding of youth needs, and basic IT skills; training provided.
The predicted salary is between 27900 - 34100 £ per year.
37.5 hours per week / permanent / working onsite / this role operates on a seven day rolling rota following a four on, four off shift pattern. Shifts will include 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.
Horsham Y Centre provides 24-hour supported housing services offering medium levels of housing-related support for young people aged 16-25 with 50 bedspaces and shared communal facilities. We adopt a trauma informed and psychologically informed approach to supporting our residents to help them build essential life skills, identify their goals and work towards aspirations so that they can move on to enjoy fully independent futures.
We have a dedicated team of Support Workers, Night Workers and additional Bank Workers who provide support, guidance, and signposting around areas such as housing, budgeting, living skills, jobs, relationship building and wellbeing. Situated in the middle of Horsham, the service has strong links with and contributes to the local community.
We are looking for a Housing Night Worker to join our team at Horsham Y Centre. In addition, you will carry out one to one interventions with young people who may be experiencing a mental health crisis or who require medical assistance, ensuring they receive timely and appropriate support.
What you will be doing:
- Provide a friendly, professional presence and ensure the building remains safe, secure and welcoming at night.
- Monitor risks and respond to incidents calmly and appropriately, recording and reporting to the relevant teams.
- Welcome residents and offer informal, responsive assistance to help them develop confidence, independence and life skills.
- Assist with evening groupwork sessions that promote learning, wellbeing and positive development.
- Complete essential admin tasks including data entry, case notes and record management.
- Log maintenance issues to ensure the building remains safe and well maintained.
- Work collaboratively on a four on, four off rota, providing consistent, non judgemental support overnight.
- Take part in ongoing training and reflective practice to support psychologically informed care.
However, before joining the rota, you will have the opportunity to get to know the team and services, take part in a full induction, complete the required training, and undertake shadow shifts to ensure you feel confident, supported, and well prepared.
About you:
- This is a dynamic role for someone passionate, empathetic and committed to young people's development.
- An understanding of the needs and experiences of young people and adults at risk.
- Basic safeguarding knowledge and the ability to maintain professional boundaries (training provided).
- Competent IT skills, including Microsoft 365 and basic system navigation (training provided).
- Ability to de escalate situations and manage challenging behaviour calmly.
- You will bring an awareness of the challenges young people face and the ability to connect with them positively.
CLOSING DATE: Sunday 15 November 2026 at midnight.
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 check.
Night Worker (Housing / Homeless) in Horsham employer: YMCA DOWNSLINK GROUP
YMCA DownsLink Group is an exceptional employer, dedicated to fostering a supportive and inclusive work environment where employees can thrive. With a strong focus on professional development and community impact, staff members enjoy opportunities for growth while making a meaningful difference in the lives of residents across Sussex. The organisation's commitment to safety and compliance ensures that you will be part of a team that prioritises quality housing and resident well-being.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Night Worker (Housing / Homeless) in Horsham
✨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 YMCA DOWNSLINK GROUP.
✨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 YMCA DOWNSLINK GROUP!
✨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 YMCA DOWNSLINK GROUP, 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 YMCA DOWNSLINK GROUP 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 Night Worker (Housing / Homeless) in Horsham
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 YMCA DOWNSLINK GROUP:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to YMCA DOWNSLINK GROUP! 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 YMCA DOWNSLINK GROUP
✨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.
