Housing Support Worker

PhoenixFutures; Colchester; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 28,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Real Living Wage

25 days annual leave

Pension scheme

Life assurance

Wellbeing talks

Learning management system

Job summary

Phoenix Futures is seeking a Housing Support Worker for the HoSTS service in Colchester. You will support tenants to achieve housing stability, coordinating services and advocating for individual needs to enable recovery and independence.

The role involves office-based work across two sites, with a focus on day-to-day wellbeing, referrals, and liaison with partner agencies. Full-time, fixed term to 31 March 2027, with salary progression and training opportunities.

Qualifications

• Experience in health and social care, ideally within problematic substance use, mental health or similar field.
• Evidence of effective partnership working and networking for client/service benefit.
• Experience with managing a busy caseload or tasks and strong organisational skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Outlook and Word; familiarity with database management systems; good ICT skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide tenancy ready and sustainment support to individuals with complex lives who have experienced homelessness.
• Access mental health services and GP referrals; advocate for tenants to ensure their voices are heard.
• Collaborate with Colchester Borough Homes and partner agencies to support housing outcomes.

Skills

Health and social care experience

Partnership development

Caseload management

Communication skills

Homelessness awareness

Willingness to learn

Tools

Microsoft Outlook

Microsoft Word

Database management systems

Job description

The Role

As a Housing Support Worker, you will support people at HoSTS to reach their goals and change their lives for the better. The role is full time 37.5 hours per week, fixed term until 31/03/2027. You will be part of a passionate and skilled team, contributing to the provision of tailored interventions and recovery approaches.

About You

• Relevant experience of workingin health and social care, ideally within the field of problematic substance use, mental health oranother comparable field
• Evidence of effective partnership working and the ability to network for the benefit of theclient and service
• Evidence of managing a busy caseload or tasks and excellent organisational skills
• To be proficient in the use of Microsoft Outlook and Wordand befamiliar withdatabase management systems
• Excellent communication skills, both written andverbal
• Understand complex issues presented by people who have experienced homelessness and moving into temporary or permanent housing whilst engaging in the community.
• Determined, with a drive to succeed and a willingness to learn
• Passionate and enthusiastic about making a real difference to the lives of people we support

Other organisations may call this role Tenancy Support Worker, Supported Housing Officer, Accommodation Support Worker or Recovery Co-ordinator.

Your Rewards

• Starting salary of £26,298, with the opportunity to access potential yearly salary increments subject to appraisal, meaning potential salary increase up to £28,000
• Committed to providing a Real Living Wage for you, through accreditation with the Living Wage Foundation
• 25 days’ annual leave plus Bank Holidays (increasing each year to a maximum of 30 days)
• Benefits including season ticket loan, pension scheme and life assurance
• Support through occupational sick pay, eye-care vouchers and regular wellbeing talks and activities
• Continuous training and career development via PXL our dedicated learning management system
• Access to a 24/7 Employee Assistance programme including telephone and online access
• A rewarding role with the opportunity tohelp us support people ontheir journey to recoveryand change their lives for the better.
• We’ll ensure you get all the support you need to thrive and succeed in your role and findyour place amongst our incredible and collaborative team.

The Service

HoSTS provide tenancy ready and sustainment support to individuals with complex lives who have experienced homelessness and unstable accommodation. Working alongside Colchester Borough Homes our service delivers day to day support with tenants wellbeing and requirements to help them sustain their accommodation and live fulfilled lives.

The HoSTS team support with accessing and attending mental health services and GP’s. Complete referrals into partner agencies such as substance use services, IPS teams, Social Inclusion activities and financial advice whilst advocating on their behalf ensuring their voices are heard.

The HoSTS team is a small friendly team with a Housing Team Manager and an existing Housing Support Worker, both with experience in supporting those with complex lives and housing needs.

The HoSTS service works across two sites within the Colchester area of Essex. The role will be office based operating out of both supported accommodation sites. One site has free parking with a carers parking permit will be purchased by Phoenix Futures due to residential parking restrictions. Both sites are within a 20 minute walk form the local train station and there are regular bus routes near both accommodations.

About Phoenix Futures

Phoenix Futures Group is a charity with over 50 years’ experience and a leading provider of drug and alcohol treatment. We use our expertise to support people in their personal recovery and to improve their lives. We are dedicated to advocating for people who are often overlooked and stigmatised, to ensure they have a fair chance to lead healthy and fulfilling lives. Our aim is for everyone to be able to achieve their potential for themselves, their families and communities.

We encourage and welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and believe it is important to include people with lived experience to ensure the needs of the people we support are represented. We are committed to creating an inclusive working environment where everyone is free to be themselves and we ensure equity of opportunity.

Interview Process

We want you to feel comfortable to be your best during the interview process, so that you can get to know Phoenix and we can get to know you. If shortlisted, you will be contacted for a short face to face interview for approximately week commencing 24th August 2026 and be provided all details about the assessment process. There will be a Peer Mentor present as part of the interview process. All details will be provided in advance so that you can feel adequately prepared and we can support you with reasonable adjustments as required.

Please note, we will be assessing applications as they are submitted and may close this role should we find sufficient applicants with which to make our shortlist.