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Orwell Housing Association; Cambridge; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 21,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

22 days annual leave

Free onsite parking

Enhanced DBS checks

Orwell Academy training

Blue Light Card access

Job summary

Orwell Housing Association is seeking a part-time Support Worker (24 hours per week) for Whitworth House in Cambridge. You will provide compassionate, trauma-informed support to young women aged 18-24 who are homeless or at risk, helping them build independence and resilience.

Join a dedicated team delivering person-centred plans, safeguarding, and holistic support in a permanent role. DBS checks, training, and progression opportunities through Orwell Academy are available.

Qualifications

• Experience working with vulnerable young people and in homelessness or supported housing.
• Understanding trauma-informed and person-centred support approaches.
• Knowledge of independent living skills and challenges for young people.

Responsibilities

• Build positive, trusting relationships with residents while maintaining professional boundaries.
• Deliver person-centred support plans to help residents achieve their goals.
• Support residents to manage risks, wellbeing, and life choices.
• Collaborate with partner agencies to provide holistic support.
• Complete referrals, risk assessments, and safeguarding tasks.
• Encourage engagement with education, training, volunteering, employment, and community opportunities.
• Advocate for residents and help them reach their full potential.

Skills

Homelessness experience

Youth work

Trauma-informed approach

Independent living skills

Support planning

Communication

Education

GCSE Maths & English

Driving licence desirable

Job description

24 hours per week;

Permanent

Ref: WH026

Posts restricted to females only. Schedule 9 (part 1) of the Equality Act 2010 applies

Are you passionate about helping young people overcome challenges and build independent futures?

We're looking for a dedicated

Support Worker to join our Temporary Supported Housing Service at

Whitworth House, supporting young women aged 18-24 who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.

This is a rewarding opportunity to make a real difference by helping residents develop the confidence, skills, and resilience they need to move towards independent living.

What You'll Do

• Build positive, trusting relationships with residents while maintaining professional boundaries.
• Deliver person-centred support plans to help individuals achieve their goals.
• Support residents to manage risks, improve wellbeing, and make positive life choices.
• Work alongside partner agencies to provide holistic support.
• Complete referrals, risk assessments, and safeguarding responsibilities.
• Encourage engagement with education, training, volunteering, employment, and community opportunities.
• Advocate for residents and empower them to reach their full potential.

About You

We're looking for someone who is compassionate, resilient, and committed to supporting vulnerable young people.

You’ll ideally have:

• Experience working in homelessness, supported housing, youth work, or a similar setting.
• Knowledge of independent living skills and the challenges facing vulnerable young people.
• An understanding of trauma-informed and person-centred support.
• Experience supporting people with diverse and complex needs.
• Confidence managing challenging behaviours and working independently when required.

Experience in mental health, housing, welfare benefits, or education support would be an advantage.

Why Join Us?

Every day offers the chance to change a life. If you're passionate about empowering young women to achieve independence and create brighter futures, we'd love to hear from you.

More reasons to apply…

• 22 days annual leave (pro rata) plus bank holidays. Please note that some bank holiday working will be required as part of this role.
• Free onsite parking.
• Reward and recognition awards.
• Free DBS checks.
• Cashback Health plan.
• Access to Blue Light Card - membership fees applies.
• Ongoing training and development & opportunities to progress in your role through the Orwell Academy

Person Specification:

• GCSE Maths and English (Grade 9-4 / A-C or equivalent)
• A full driving licence is desirable

Interview Date: TBC

Before applying…

Orwell is committed to safeguarding and safer employment and the principles of empowerment.

Please notice Orwell Housing Association does not provide visa sponsorship. You must be eligible to work in the UK to apply. You will be required to provide the relevant right to work documentation if successfully appointed to the role.

This post is subject to an enhanced DBS check with Children Barred List. All new arrivals to the UK must also provide a Statement of Good Conduct (SOGC).

The definition of new arrival is an applicant who has worked or been resident overseas in the previous five years and this includes citizens of the UK who have worked or lived overseas for a continuous period of six months or more.

Apply with Confidence

Orwell is proud to be a Disability Confident Leader. We believe in creating an accessible and supportive environment, where every team member can thrive and contribute. Join us in our commitment to building a workplace that celebrates diversity and empowers all individuals to reach their full potential. We actively welcome applications from candidates with disabilities and are dedicated to making reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process to ensure equal access and opportunity for all.

We know that diverse teams drive innovation and deliver better outcomes. Research shows that people from underrepresented groups often hesitate to apply for roles unless they meet every requirement. If you're excited about this opportunity but don't meet every listed qualification, we still encourage you to apply anyway. Your unique experiences, perspectives, skills and most importantly your alignment with our culture and values could be exactly what we're looking for.

We are committed to building an inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued, respected and supported to succeed.

If there is anything that might prevent you from applying for one of our roles, we want to help remove that barrier. Please contact our Talent team by calling 01473 228782 or emailing

[e-mail].

Orwell Housing Association Limited collects and processes personal data in accordance with applicable data protection laws. Please see the Privacy Notice -

https://www.orwell-housing.co.uk/ privacy-policy/

By applying to this job you agree you have read, understand and accept the content of the Privacy Notice -

https://www.orwell-housing.co.uk/ privacy-policy/consent to the processing of your data as part of this application.

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