At a Glance
- Tasks: Support young people in their journey to independence and create engaging activities.
- Company: Join YMCA Norfolk, a dynamic organisation dedicated to transforming lives.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, health care, generous leave, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Flexible shifts, supportive team environment, and opportunities for growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of vulnerable individuals while building community.
- Qualifications: GCSEs in Maths and English; experience with vulnerable populations is a plus.
The predicted salary is between 13.9 - 13.9 £ per hour.
YMCA Norfolk is seeking compassionate and dedicated support workers to join our Norwich Community Housing team in transforming the lives of young people and families. As a Community Housing Engagement Worker, you'll be the go-to person for our clients, helping them navigate their journey to independence. You'll create a safe, supportive environment and plan fun, positive activities. Your role will involve assessing needs, developing support plans, and facilitating life skills development. No 2 days are the same!
If you can make the difference in helping vulnerable homeless people and want to be part of a progressive and dynamic team we are looking forward to hearing from you.
Key Responsibilities:
- Client Support: Process referrals, assess needs, and create support plans. You'll induct clients into the housing service, complete necessary paperwork, and ensure they understand their rights and responsibilities.
- Life Skills: Teach essential skills like cooking, shopping, hygiene, and basic home maintenance. You'll organise educational and vocational workshops and training sessions.
- Community Building: Plan and prepare clients for independent living or other support services. You'll actively participate in registering clients for local authority and housing association move-on agreements.
- Tenancy Support: Help clients understand their tenancy agreements, manage their finances, and maximize their income. You'll address antisocial behaviour through restorative meetings and support income recovery efforts.
- Crisis Management: Respond to emergencies and support clients in crisis situations, ensuring their health, safety, and well-being.
The Organisation YMCA Norfolk is a great place to work, offering meaningful opportunities to make a difference in the lives of young people. Working at YMCA Norfolk is an opportunity to be a part of an organisation which is challenging, innovative, rewarding and fun! We place young people at the heart of all we do and are committed to building an organisation that is responsive to the needs of young people and our stakeholders.
What you’ll need to succeed:
- Skills: You'll have great communication skills and the ability to demonstrate emotional stability and resilience when under pressure. Ability to undertake needs and risk assessments, and implement restorative procedures.
- Experience: You'll have worked with vulnerable people in housing or support settings. Experience in needs and risk assessment and support planning.
- Knowledge: Housing legislation and safeguarding practices. Familiarity with the benefits system is a plus.
- Qualifications: GCSEs in Maths and English. Bonus points for housing qualifications and food hygiene certificates.
The successful candidate will join a team of Support Workers who participate in a rota of shifts which will cover the core hours of 37.5 hours per week (generally worked over 5 days). Core working hours for the team are from 7.45am - 10.15pm over 365 days of the year.
Benefits:
- Health Care Plan
- 34 days (pro rata) per annum inclusive of Bank and Public Holidays
- An additional day of annual leave (pro rata) awarded after 5 and 10 years of continuous Long Service
- Access to contributory stakeholder pension scheme after 3 months
- Health and wellbeing events and activities
- Family friendly policies
- In service training opportunities and bursaries investing in your development
- Annual staff day and staff awards to celebrate our successes
- Death in service benefit of 2 x annual salary
- Regular line management and support
- Staff discount at Williams Kitchen Café, Explorers Soft Play & Muddy Puddles Nursery
Closing date for applications: 9am on Tuesday 22nd September 2026. Previous applicants need not apply. We reserve the right to close the online vacancy when we are in receipt of sufficient applications. Should you wish to apply for this post you are advised to complete and submit your application form as soon as possible.
YMCA Norfolk is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Please note the successful candidate will be required to undertake a Enhanced DBS check prior to starting employment. Written references will be obtained for the successful candidate that will cover the previous 5 years of employment. The successful candidate will be advised that an offer of employment is subject to us obtaining a minimum of two references which are satisfactory to YMCA Norfolk. Character references may be sought where it is not possible to obtain employment references. YMCA Norfolk will consider all applications, however this role does not meet the salary requirements for sponsorship.
If you require an alternative method of applying, or documents in a different format, please email our HR Team via [email protected]
Housing Engagement Worker in Norwich employer: YMCA Norfolk
YMCA Norfolk is an exceptional employer dedicated to making a meaningful impact in the lives of young people. With a strong focus on employee development, we offer clear career pathways, ongoing training, and a supportive work culture that values creativity and collaboration. Located in Norwich, our vibrant environment fosters innovation and provides unique opportunities for personal and professional growth, making it a rewarding place to work.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Housing Engagement Worker in Norwich
✨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 Norfolk.
✨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 Norfolk!
✨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 Norfolk, 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 Norfolk 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 Housing Engagement Worker in Norwich
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 Norfolk:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to YMCA Norfolk! 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 Norfolk
✨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.
