Housing Support Specialist

Southdown Housing Association; Crawley; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 32,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health cost cash-back scheme

Interest-free loans

Access to the Easit Network

Blue Light card

Free advice and counselling service

25 days paid holiday

Travel expenses

Job summary

Southdown Housing Association is seeking a Housing Support Specialist in Crawley, West Sussex. You’ll work with a multi‑agency team to support people who have experienced homelessness, delivering flexible, trauma‑informed housing support and one‑to‑one sessions.

You’ll hold a client caseload and provide short‑term tenancy support with induction and ongoing training. A full driving licence is required, a paid DBS check, and you'll benefit from 25 days’ paid holiday and travel expense coverage.

Qualifications

• Empathy and personalised care approach.
• Ability to communicate effectively with clients and agencies.
• Understanding trauma-informed support principles.

Responsibilities

• Provide in-person, short-term tenancy support for people at risk of homelessness.
• Hold a client caseload and deliver one-to-one support sessions and life skills interventions.
• Work as part of a multi-agency team to coordinate housing and wellbeing support.
• Complete induction and ongoing training via the in-house team.

Skills

Empathy

Communication skills

Trauma-informed care

Driving licence

DBS check

Job description

Housing Support Specialist

Application Deadline: 22 September 2026

Department: Mental Health and Wellbeing Services

Employment Type: Permanent

Location: West Sussex - Crawley

Reporting To: Team Manager

Compensation: £28,640 / year

Description

Location: Crawley, West Sussex

Salary: £28,640 per year, pro rata (£17,416 per year based on 22.5 hours per week)

Hours: 1x 37 hours per week 1x 22.5 hours per week

What you’ll be doing:

As a Housing Support Specialist you’ll work alongside a multi agency team, supporting people who have experienced the trauma and are at risk homelessness / have experienced homelessness, to make positive and lasting changes in their lives. You’ll provide flexible, trauma-informed support, focusing and identifying the support each person needs.

The Housing Support Specialist provides in person, short term tenancy support for people at risk of homelessness or living in temporary accommodation.

You will hold a client caseload and provide flexible, trauma-informed housing support for people who have experienced homelessness through one-to-one support sessions and life skills interventions.

Full induction and training provided for all successful candidates.

We welcome applications from candidates with previous experience in roles such as Support Worker, Outreach Worker, Community Specialist, Case Manager, Social Worker, Housing Support Worker, Social Care Prescriber, Community Health Worker, Community Outreach Coordinator or Care Coordinator. However, this is not essential and we will provide a full induction and training programme for all successful candidates.

Perks and benefits:

• Health cost cash-back scheme: access to our health insurance scheme which covers dental, optical, physical therapies and other medical treatments with the option to add greater levels of cover.
• Interest-free loans: assistance with larger costs that arise such as tenancy deposits, season travel tickets or buying a car.
• Access to the Easit Network: discounts and incentives on train, bus and car journeys such as 15% off eligible daily and season rail tickets.
• Blue Light card: access to discount services for the social care sector with savings across thousands of online shops, restaurants, and high-street vendors.
• Free advice and counselling service: confidential emotional support and practical guidance from our independent telephone service.
• 25 days paid holiday plus bank holidays.
• Travel expenses in work will be paid.

Skills, knowledge and experience

What you need for the role:

• A personalised care approach, with empathy and understanding
• An Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, which will be paid for by Southdown
• A full driving licence is required for this role along with access to your own vehicle or a vehicle insured for you

What would be nice:

• Knowledge of complex and diverse support needs relating to homelessness, mental health and substance misuse
• Awareness of the causes of homelessness and the barriers preventing people who are homeless from engaging in services
• Experience working in a supported housing or homelessness setting
• Experience supporting individuals with complex mental health needs

Training:

You’ll receive a comprehensive induction followed up with regular training from our award-winning in-house team. We’ll help you to gain valuable experience, continually develop your skills and build a great career with the largest provider of housing, care and support in Sussex.

Please note, if we receive a large number of applications then this position may close before the advertised application closing date. We encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible.