Overnight Hostel Support Worker – Waking Night

Morgan Hunt; London Borough of Richmond upon Thames; On-site; GBP 21,000 - 26,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Three-night pattern

Training opportunities

Supportive team

Job summary

Morgan Hunt is seeking a Hostel Night Shift Worker for a homelessness services site in Richmond, operating on a 30-hour weekly pattern with nights from 9:45pm to 8:45am. You will support adults experiencing homelessness, ensuring safety and dignity during the night hours.

Role requires staying awake during the waking night shift, building trust with residents, and coordinating with on-call managers when needed. The team focuses on safeguarding, risk management and confidential record-keeping.

Qualifications

• Experience supporting people affected by homelessness or rough sleeping.
• Understanding of complex needs including mental health, substance misuse and trauma.
• Knowledge of safeguarding, risk assessment and incident reporting.
• Ability to remain calm, resilient and professional in challenging situations.
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills.
• Confidence supporting individuals who may display challenging behaviour.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a wider team, including lone working overnight.
• Good organisational skills and confidence using IT systems for case notes and records.

Responsibilities

• Provide practical and emotional support to residents throughout the night.
• Build positive, trusting relationships using a person-centred and non-judgemental approach.
• Help maintain a calm, supportive and respectful hostel environment.
• Liaise with key workers and on-call managers when additional advice or support is required.
• Remain alert to signs of abuse, neglect, exploitation, self-harm or deteriorating mental or physical health.
• Respond appropriately to safeguarding concerns and elevate incidents when necessary.
• Support residents experiencing distress or crisis, using appropriate de-escalation techniques.
• Follow safeguarding procedures and ensure residents receive appropriate follow-up support.
• Conduct regular patrols of the building and surrounding areas.
• Monitor entrances, access points and visitors in line with procedures.
• Carry out checks of communal areas and residents’ rooms when required.
• Respond calmly to emergencies, disputes and anti-social behaviour, contacting additional support where necessary.
• Take responsibility for the hostel while on duty, including when working as the sole staff member on site.
• Maintain accurate overnight logs, incident reports, client notes and electronic records.
• Complete clear handovers to daytime colleagues to ensure continuity of support.
• Handle telephone enquiries professionally and liaise with on-call managers when needed.
• Manage petty cash, rent floats and relevant administrative records accurately.
• Maintain confidentiality and comply with GDPR and data protection requirements.

Skills

Homelessness support

Complex needs awareness

Safeguarding knowledge

Calm under pressure

Strong communication

Independent night shift work

IT literacy for records

Tools

IT systems for case notes

Job description

Morgan Hunt is seeking a Hostel Night Shift Worker for a homelessness services site in Richmond, operating on a 30-hour weekly pattern with nights from 9:45pm to 8:45am. You will support adults experiencing homelessness, ensuring safety and dignity during the night hours.

Role requires staying awake during the waking night shift, building trust with residents, and coordinating with on-call managers when needed. The team focuses on safeguarding, risk management and confidential record-keeping.