Housing Care & Support Worker

YMCA DownsLink Group; Manor Park; On-site; GBP 21,000 - 27,000; Full time

Job summary

YMCA DownsLink Group is seeking a compassionate Supported Housing Support Worker for Guildford Foyer, a 33-bed service for young people aged 16 to 25. The role offers a trauma-informed approach, helping residents progress toward independent living while maintaining safeguarding and housing compliance.

You will work on a 37.5-hour week, on-site, across a seven-day rolling rota including evenings and weekends, with induction and ongoing training provided.

Qualifications

• Experience in housing or supported accommodation, ideally with young people who have multiple and complex needs.
• Strong knowledge of housing legislation, safeguarding procedures and compliance requirements.
• Familiarity with statutory and voluntary services for young people and ability to engage them.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills and clear documentation.
• Ability to de-escalate situations and maintain professional boundaries.

Responsibilities

• Support housing occupants to understand occupancy agreements and house rules.
• Coach residents to pursue independent living and life skills.
• Maintain safeguarding standards and trauma-informed practice.
• Keep client records on In-Form detailing progress, risks and outcomes.
• Work on a rota, including evenings, weekends and bank holidays, with lone working when required.

Skills

Communication

Safeguarding

De-escalation

Teamwork

Time management

Job description

We're looking for a compassionate and motivated Supported Housing Support Worker to join our welcoming team at Guildford Foyer.
The Guildford Foyer is a 33-bed supported accommodation service for young people aged 16 to 25, providing low - medium level support in a safe and welcoming environment.
Our service is staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and takes a trauma-informed and psychologically informed approach to helping young people develop essential life skills, build resilience, identify their goals and achieve greater independence.
Located in the heart of Guildford, the Foyer has strong links with the local community and plays an active role in supporting young people to move forward positively with their lives.
Housing and Compliance
Support young people to understand and comply with their occupancy agreements, including 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.
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, to 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 and needs, any risks, and any outcomes (to monitor service performance).
There will be times when lone working will be a requirement for this role, but you will get to know the team and service, along with an induction and training prior to starting on a rota.
you will be passionate about being involved in the support and growth of young people.
Experience in housing or supported accommodation, ideally supporting young people with multiple and complex needs.
Good knowledge of housing legislation, safeguarding procedures, and compliance requirements, with the ability to maintain clear professional boundaries.
Familiarity with statutory and voluntary services available to young people and ability to work proactively with a caseload to support progression towards independent living.
Ability to communicate clearly both verbally and in writing for appropriate recording of a resident's progression, and to evidence outcomes achieved.
Ability to de-escalate volatile situations and manage challenging behaviour appropriately.
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 are here for children and young people, many of whom face multiple challenges and need our support.
37.5 hours per week / permanent / working onsite on a seven-day rolling rota, including evenings, weekends and bank holidays.