Housing Support Specialist

Southdown; Hastings; On-site; GBP 25,147 - 30,736; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health cost cash-back scheme

Interest-free loans

Easit Network access

Blue Light card

Free advice and counselling service

25 days paid holiday

Job summary

A community support organization in East Sussex seeks a Housing Support Specialist to aid individuals facing homelessness, particularly those who are rough sleeping. Responsibilities include early-morning outreach, tenancy support, and collaboration with various agencies to provide comprehensive assistance. Ideal candidates must have an empathetic approach, be available for unsociable hours, possess a full driving license, and undergo an enhanced DBS check. The role offers competitive pay and a comprehensive benefits package.

Qualifications

• Available to work unsociable hours including early-morning shifts.
• Enhanced DBS check required.
• Experience supporting individuals with complex mental health needs preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide early-morning street outreach to rough sleeping individuals.
• Support clients with move-on and tenancy engagement.
• Coordinate with health and social care agencies.

Skills

Empathetic, person-centred care approach

Knowledge of complex support needs in homelessness

Full driving licence and access to a car

Job description

Join to apply for the Housing Support Specialist role at Southdown.

Application Deadline: 25 January 2026

Location

East Sussex – St-Leonards-on-Sea (Office base in Hastings covering Hastings/Rother)

Compensation

£27,942 per year plus additional allowances:

• £1,000 essential car user allowance per year
• £800 Rough Sleepers Allowance per year
• Unsociable Hours shift allowance (£4.40 per shift)

Hours

37 hours per week, including two early‑morning shifts (5:00 am in summer or 6:00 am in winter, Monday–Friday) and daytime shifts (9:00–5:00 pm, Monday–Friday).

What you’ll be doing

As a Housing Support Specialist you will work alongside a multi‑agency team to support people experiencing homelessness, particularly those who are rough sleeping in Hastings/Rother. Your role includes early‑morning street outreach, move‑on and tenancy support, and trauma‑informed care. You will help clients address substance dependency, mental and physical health needs, domestic abuse, and other barriers to housing.

Responsibilities

• Provide early‑morning street outreach to rough sleeping individuals in Hastings/Rother.
• Support clients through move‑on, tenancy, and long‑term housing engagement.
• Offer flexible, trauma‑informed support tailored to each client’s needs.
• Coordinate with health, social care, and other agencies to deliver comprehensive support.
• Maintain accurate records of client interactions and progress.

Qualifications and Experience

• Available to work unsociable hours (2 early‑morning shifts per week).
• Empathetic, person‑centred care approach.
• Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check (paid by Southdown).
• Full driving licence and access to a car (or provision for a car insured for you).

Preferred (Nice to Have)

• Knowledge of complex support needs in homelessness, mental health, and substance misuse.
• Awareness of the causes of rough sleeping and barriers to service engagement.
• Experience in supported housing or homelessness settings.
• Experience supporting individuals with complex mental health needs.

Perks and Benefits

• Health cost cash‑back scheme: access to our health insurance covering dental, optical, physical therapies, and other medical treatments with optional higher cover.
• Interest‑free loans: assistance with larger costs such as tenancy deposits, season travel tickets, or car purchase.
• Easit Network access: discounts on train, bus, and car journeys (15% off eligible daily and season rail tickets).
• Blue Light card: discounts for the social care sector across thousands of online shops, restaurants, and high‑street vendors.
• Free advice and counselling service: confidential emotional support and practical guidance from an independent telephone service.
• 25 days paid holiday plus bank holidays.
• Rough Sleepers Allowance – £800 per year.
• Essential car user allowance – £1,000 per year.
• Unsociable hours allowance – an extra £4.40 per shift.

Training

Our award‑winning in‑house training team will support you in gaining valuable qualifications, continually developing your skills, and building a rewarding career with Southdown.

How to Apply

Please click the ‘Apply Now’ button and complete the one‑page application form. If we receive a large number of applications, this position may close before the advertised deadline, so we encourage you to submit early.