At a Glance
- Tasks: Support young people in housing, helping them build life skills and achieve independence.
- Company: YMCA DownsLink Group, a leading charity for youth support in Sussex and Surrey.
- Benefits: Permanent role with competitive pay, training, and a supportive team environment.
- Other info: Join a diverse team committed to equity and inclusion, with strong community ties.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in young people's lives while developing your own skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in housing support and knowledge of safeguarding procedures required.
The predicted salary is between 24000 - 28000 £ per year.
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.
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 Supported Housing Support Worker to join our team, who will hold a caseload of residents and meet with them weekly to build a support plan.
- 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: 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 21 June 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 checks.
Supported Accommodation Housing Support Worker in Sussex employer: YMCA DOWNSLINK GROUP
YMCA DownsLink Group is an exceptional employer dedicated to supporting the growth and development of young people in Sussex and Surrey. With a strong commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion, we foster a collaborative work culture that values every team member's contribution. Our employees benefit from comprehensive training, opportunities for professional development, and the chance to make a meaningful impact in the lives of vulnerable youth within a supportive community environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Supported Accommodation Housing Support Worker in Sussex
✨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 Supported Accommodation Housing Support Worker in Sussex
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.
