Housing Support Specialist

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

Benefits offered by this job

Health cost cash-back scheme

Interest-free loans

Easit Network discounts

Blue Light card

Free advice and counselling service

25 days paid holiday

Travel expenses in work

Job summary

Southdown Housing Association are seeking a Housing Support Specialist to join their Mental Health and Wellbeing Services in Horsham, West Sussex. The role is a 37-hour week, fixed term contract until 31 May 2027, with a salary of £28,640 per year.

You’ll work as part of a multi-agency team delivering in-person, short-term tenancy support for people at risk of homelessness. A full induction and ongoing training are provided.

Qualifications

• 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.

Responsibilities

• As a Housing Support Specialist you’ll work alongside a multi agency team, supporting people who have experienced homelessness to make positive changes.
• You’ll provide flexible, trauma-informed housing support for people at risk of homelessness or living in temporary accommodation.
• You will hold a client caseload and provide one-to-one support sessions and life skills interventions.
• Full induction and training provided for all successful candidates.

Skills

Empathy

Personalised care

Driving licence

Job description

Housing Support Specialist

Application Deadline: 22 September 2026

Department: Mental Health and Wellbeing Services

Employment Type: Fixed Term Contract

Location: West Sussex - Horsham

Reporting To: Team Manager

Compensation: £28,640 / year

Description

Location: Horsham, West Sussex

Salary: £28,640 per year

Hours: 37 hours per week

Contract: Fixed Term Contract, until 31st May 2027

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

You’ll be joining one of the largest providers of care, support and housing services in Sussex, which we’re proud to say we’ve been doing for over 50 years! In exchange we can offer some great benefits, including:

• 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.