At a Glance
- Tasks: Support young people in achieving independent living through coaching and personalised guidance.
- Company: YMCA DownsLink Group, a leading charity for children and young people.
- Benefits: Full-time role with a supportive team and opportunities for personal growth.
- Other info: Dynamic environment with a focus on trauma-informed care and community engagement.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in young people's lives while developing essential skills.
- Qualifications: Passion for helping others and understanding of housing support.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
Employment Type: Full Time, Permanent
Application Start Date: 17-06-2026
Application End Date: 12-07-2026
Location: Eastbourne, East Sussex, BN21 3LZ, UK
Work Style: On-site
Job Overview: 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 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.
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 – house 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, including 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.
Position Summary: 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. You will hold a caseload of residents and carry out regular key work sessions with them each week, developing personalised support plans, tracking progress and helping residents achieve their goals.
Main Responsibilities:
- Housing and Compliance: Support young people to understand and comply with their occupancy agreements, 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. Respond promptly and effectively to breaches of agreement, including rent arrears, antisocial behaviour or property damage, using restorative approaches where appropriate and working collaboratively with the wider team.
- 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, 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.
Supported Housing Support Worker in Eastbourne employer: YMCA
YMCA DownsLink Group is an exceptional employer dedicated to making a positive impact in the lives of young people across Sussex and Surrey. With a strong commitment to values such as integrity, compassion, and connection, we foster a supportive work culture that prioritises employee growth through ongoing training and development opportunities. Working in Eastbourne, you will be part of a passionate team that not only provides essential housing support but also empowers residents to achieve their aspirations, all while enjoying the benefits of a fulfilling career in a vibrant community.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Supported Housing Support Worker in Eastbourne
✨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.
✨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!
✨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, 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 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 Housing Support Worker in Eastbourne
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:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to YMCA! 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
✨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.
