Floating Support Worker

NFP PEOPLE; Essex; On-site; GBP 28,000; Full time

Job summary

A respected homelessness service is seeking a Floating Support Worker to empower individuals in Southend to maintain their tenancies and rebuild independence. The role requires providing trauma-informed support, conducting assessments, and collaborating with various organizations. Ideal candidates will possess skills in building trusting relationships and supporting clients with complex needs. Flexibility to work evenings and weekends is essential, and experience in a similar supportive role is highly valued.

Qualifications

• Experience supporting people with complex needs such as trauma or substance use.
• Ability to build trusting relationships with people who may distrust services.
• Good IT skills for record-keeping.

Responsibilities

• Provide person-centred support to clients facing homelessness.
• Conduct assessments and co-produce support plans.
• Collaborate with local organizations to aid clients.

Skills

Understanding of trauma

Knowledge of safeguarding

De-escalation skills

Record-keeping skills

Non-judgemental approach

Ability to build trusting relationships

Community-based caseload management

Flexibility to work evenings and weekends

Job description

Floating Support Worker

We are seeking a compassionate and motivated Floating Support Worker to empower people across Southend to sustain their tenancies and rebuild independence.

Position : Floating Support Worker

Salary : £28000pa

Location : Southend-on-Sea

Hours : Full time, with some evening / weekend flexibility

Contract : 12-month fixed term

Closing date : 20th January 2026

About the Job

This is an opportunity to join a multi‑disciplinary homelessness service delivering trauma‑informed, strengths‑based tenancy sustainment support to people living across Southend. You will work flexibly in the community, helping individuals maintain their homes, improve wellbeing and prevent homelessness.

Key responsibilities include

• Providing person‑centred, trauma‑informed support that promotes dignity, empowerment and psychological safety.
• Carrying out gentle, client‑paced assessments and co‑producing SMART support and safety plans.
• Offering practical, non‑judgemental guidance around home safety, hygiene, clutter, routines and tenancy responsibilities.
• Completing trauma‑informed risk assessments and responding appropriately to safeguarding concerns.
• Identifying early tenancy risks and taking proactive steps to prevent homelessness.
• Working collaboratively with landlords, local authority housing teams, health services, substance use providers and community organisations.
• Maintaining accurate, strengths‑based case notes and outcomes using internal systems.
• Supporting clients to build confidence through education, training, volunteering and community participation.
• Facilitating group activities that promote belonging, empowerment and psychological safety.
• Caseloads are varied and dynamic, typically up to 30 clients, and you’ll work closely with colleagues across the service to ensure holistic, coordinated support.

About You

You will be someone who brings warmth, patience and a genuine commitment to trauma‑informed practice. You’ll have experience supporting people with complex needs such as trauma, rough sleeping, mental or physical ill health, or substance use.

You will also bring

• Strong understanding of trauma, psychological safety and how trauma affects engagement.
• Knowledge of safeguarding, homelessness pathways, tenancy sustainment and welfare benefits.
• Ability to build trusting relationships with people who may distrust services.
• Skills in de‑escalation, grounding techniques and supporting emotional regulation.
• Confidence managing a community‑based caseload independently.
• Good IT and record‑keeping skills, plus basic numeracy for budgeting and bills.
• A non‑judgemental approach to supporting clients with home safety, clutter and cleanliness.
• Reliability, consistency, strong boundaries and a commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion.
• Flexibility to work some evenings, weekends and bank holidays is required.

About the Organisation

You will be joining a respected homelessness service in Southend that supports individuals to sustain tenancies, improve wellbeing and build brighter futures. The organisation is values‑driven, person‑centred and committed to trauma‑informed practice, inclusion and long‑term recovery.

Other roles you may have experience of could include

Tenancy Support Worker, Housing Support Worker, Homelessness Support Worker, Outreach Worker, Keyworker, Recovery Worker, Supported Housing Officer, Community Support Worker, Complex Needs Worker, Resettlement Worker.