Homeless Support Worker

Society of St James; Southampton; On-site; GBP 23,000 - 28,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days annual leave

Flexible working options

Additional annual leave

Induction and training

Employee Assistance Programme

Cycle to work

Discounted laptops

Pension contributions via salary Sacr

Job summary

Society of St James in Southampton is seeking a Homeless Support Worker to provide emotional, practical and consistent support across two hostels for adults with complex needs. This on-site, part-time role is 35 hours per week on a 3 days on / 3 days off pattern (8am–6pm). Salary £25,527 p.a.

pro rata of £26,986 FTE, with benefits including generous leave, training and wellbeing support. We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity in our staff, with opportunities for development and

Qualifications

• Experience with homelessness, substance misuse, or mental health issues.
• Ability to manage challenging behaviours and safeguard vulnerable adults.
• Good IT and organisational skills to manage caseloads and documentation.
• Commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusive practice.
• Valid driving licence and access to a car are essential.

Responsibilities

• Work across two hostels providing emotional, practical, high‑quality support.
• Collaborate with onsite teams and partner agencies to move people from emergency beds to permanent accommodation.
• Support individuals with mental health challenges and substance misuse challenges.

Skills

Knowledge & Interest

Professionalism

Operational Skills

Values-Driven

Driving Licence

IT skills

Tools

IT skills

Job description

Homeless Support Worker, Southampton, £25,527.00

Employment Type

Part Time, Permanent

Application Start Date

01-09-2026

Application End Date

25-09-2026

Location

Southampton

State/County

Hampshire

SO15 0HW

Country

United Kingdom

Work Style

On-site

Non-profit charitable organisations

Category

Position

Description

Homeless Support Worker

Emergency Bed Support - Patrick House and Southampton Street Homeless Hostels

Permanent, 35 hours per week

3 days on / 3 days off, 8am-6pm (30mins unpaid break)

Salary: £25,527 per annum (pro rata of 26,986 per annum FTE)

About Us:

This is an exciting opportunity to join a dynamic Charity and Housing Association.The Society of St James (SSJ) has been working in Hampshire for over 50 years, delivering high impact, person-centred, accommodation services to adults and young people experiencing homelessness, problematic substance use and mental health problems. We believe that every person is of worth and we are prepared to take risks to house and support the most at risk and socially excluded members of society.

The Impact You'll Make:

You will work across two of our key hostels providing the vital emotional, practical and consistent, high-quality support needed to help individuals with complex needs regain their footing.You will collaborate with onsite teams and partner agencies to transition people from emergency beds into the stability of permanent supported accommodation. Whether it's navigating mental health challenges or helping someone manage substance misuse, your presence directly contributes to ending the cycle of homelessness.

Who We're Looking For:

We're looking for a positive, flexible and resilient individual with great communication skills, a passion for helping vulnerable adults and a belief that safe housing is a fundamental human right.

You will have good organisational and IT skills, and the ability to work on your own initiative as well as part of a team.

You must have experience of or interest in:

• The issues faced by people experiencing homelessness
• Dealing with difficult and challenging behaviour.
• The effects of alcohol and substance use on mental health.
• Equality and diversity.

Essential Skills and Qualities:

To be successful in this role you will need:

• Knowledge & Interest: A deep understanding of (or a strong desire to learn about) homelessness, substance misuse, and the intersection of addiction and mental health.
• Professionalism: Proven ability to manage challenging behaviours and a steadfast commitment to safeguarding vulnerable adults.
• Operational Skills: Strong IT and organisational skills to manage caseloads and documentation effectively.
• Values-Driven: A dedicated commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusive practice.
• Driving Licence: A valid driver's license and access to a car is essential a s you will be working across our 2 hostels on a 3 days on / 3 days off work pattern, starting at Southampton Street 8am- 12pm and then onto Patrick House 12.30pm-6.30pm.

What we can offer you:

We value and recognise our staff, offering some generous benefits, as well as the satisfaction of helping people at risk:

• A competitive annual leave entitlement of 25 days rising to 30 days, plus public holidays
• Flexible working options
• Buying additional annual leave
• Comprehensive induction and training
• Counselling, financial, personal support and health and wellbeing services via our Employee Assistance Programme
• Company cycle to work scheme
• Discounted laptops and computers with Jamie's Computers

SSJ are an equal opportunity employer and we encourage applicants from all backgrounds and walks of life.

Due to the high number of expected applicants, we do reserve the right to close this vacancy earlier.

• Cycle to work scheme
• Discounted laptops and computers with Jamie's Computers
• Employer pension contributions via salary sacrifice
• Flexible working opportunities
• Counselling, financial, personal support, and health and well-being services via our Employee Assistance Programme

DBS (disclosure and barring service check)

DBS website
https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/disclosure-and-barring-service
DBS suitable documents for identity checking
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/dbs-identity-checking-guidelines

Do you have any convictions, cautions, reprimands, or final warnings that would not be filtered in line with current DBS guidance? * Required

Do you have any unspent convictions in a Court of Law under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974? * Required

Are you currently barred from working with children and/or vulnerable adults? * Required

Right to work in the UK

Do you currently have the legal right to work in the UK?

Do you currently have the legal right to work in the UK? * Required

Do you hold a vaild UK Driving Licence with access to a car? * Required

Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion

Date of Birth*

Sexual Orientation*

Do you consider yourself to have a disability, impairment or condition?*