Hostel Support Worker

Homeless Link; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 30,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous holiday

Wellbeing & EAP

Health support

Cycle to Work

Season ticket loan

Moving house day

Financial security

Family-friendly policies

Career development

Blue Light Card

Job summary

SPEAR in London is recruiting a Hostel Support Worker to provide a safe, welcoming service for residents in a 14-bed, 24-hour hostel. You will work day and evening shifts, ensuring welfare and protection while maintaining accurate records and handovers.

You will hold a small caseload, delivering trauma-informed, person-centred support aimed at promoting independence, stability, and wellbeing for residents.

Qualifications

• Experience working with vulnerable adults
• Ability to respond to safeguarding and risk management procedures
• Strong listening and communication skills

Responsibilities

• Provide a safe, welcoming, responsive service for residents in a 14-bed, 24-hour hostel.
• Work with vulnerable adults, remaining alert to risk and incidents.
• Maintain accurate records, clear communication and effective handovers across shifts.
• Hold a small caseload delivering person-centred, trauma-informed key-work to promote independence and wellbeing.

Job description

Hostel Support Worker

Richmond, London

£32,995

ABOUT US

We are SPEAR, a charity working tirelessly to end homelessness across South West London and beyond. We believe homelessness should be rare, brief, and non-recurring, and we work every day to make that a reality. Our services include street outreach, assessment hubs, supported accommodation, and tenancy support, helping people move off the streets and into safe, secure housing. We take a person-centred, trauma-informed approach, building trust and supporting people to achieve long-term stability and independence.

THE ROLE

You will provide a safe, welcoming, and responsive service for residents within a 14-bed, 24-hour hostel, ensuring their welfare, dignity, and protection at all times during day and evening shifts. The postholder must be able to work shift patterns such as 8am - 4pm or 2pm - 10pm.

You will work with vulnerable adults, remaining alert to risk, responding appropriately to concerns or incidents, and following SPEAR’s safeguarding and risk management procedures.

Working closely with colleagues across the service, you will maintain accurate records, clear communication, and effective handovers to ensure continuity of support between shifts.

You will hold a small caseload of residents, providing key-work support that is person-centred, trauma-informed, and focused on promoting independence, stability, and wellbeing. Your role will help create a calm, well-managed, and supportive hostel environment, where residents feel safe, respected, and encouraged to engage with support and services.

You’ll be part of a welcoming, values-driven charity committed to ending homelessness and supporting staff wellbeing. Benefits include:

• Generous holiday – 26 days, plus public holidays (pro rata), rising by up to five extra days with length of service.
• Wellbeing & EAP – 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme with free counselling, money, and legal advice.
• Health support – Occupational health service and free annual eye test (with contribution towards glasses if required).
• Cycle to Work – Save on a new bike and accessories through salary sacrifice.
• Season ticket loan – Interest-free loan for annual travel passes.
• Moving house day – Extra day’s leave when you move home.
• Financial security – Life assurance (4x salary) and interest-free emergency staff loan.
• Family-friendly policies – Enhanced maternity and adoption pay, plus flexible working options.
• Career development – Ongoing training, learning, and progression opportunities.
• Blue Light Card – Discounts across a wide range of shops, restaurants, and services.

At SPEAR, we welcome and encourage applications from everyone, regardless of age, disability, gender, ethnicity, religion and sexual orientation. We are facing diverse problems, so we need diverse people to tackle them.