Senior Support Worker

Bath & North East Somerset Council; Bath; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

Bath & North East Somerset Council is seeking a Senior Support Worker to lead high‑quality, person‑centred support for residents in supported housing and temporary accommodation. You will manage complex caseloads, promote trauma‑informed practice, and guide colleagues to achieve positive housing outcomes.

You will collaborate with health, social care and community services, build strong partnerships, and drive continuous improvement in safeguarding and resident wellbeing within a fast‑paced team.

Qualifications

• Experience of supporting people experiencing homelessness or other complex needs.
• Strong safeguarding, risk assessment and professional boundaries knowledge.
• Experience in creating and reviewing support plans to achieve positive outcomes.
• Excellent communication, influencing and negotiation skills.
• Experience working with partner agencies across health, social care and community services.
• Ability to manage competing priorities and work independently.
• Experience working collaboratively within a team and taking the lead in areas of expertise.
• Ability to promote good practice and support colleagues through knowledge sharing.
• Good IT, administrative and record-keeping skills.
• Understanding of housing management and challenges facing homeless households.

Responsibilities

• High-quality, person-centred support to residents with complex needs, including homelessness and health issues.
• Lead assessment, planning and review of support interventions for sustainable outcomes.
• Coordinate multi‑agency partnerships to improve resident outcomes.
• Manage complex caseloads and identify risks with effective interventions.
• Champion trauma‑informed, strengths‑based approaches across the service.
• Provide guidance and constructive challenge to colleagues and promote best practice.
• Support induction and development of new team members and foster a learning culture.
• Contribute to service development by identifying improvement opportunities.
• Work with residents to develop skills and resilience for independent living.
• Ensure safeguarding, risk management and resident wellbeing are central to delivery.

Skills

Homeless support

Safeguarding

Support planning

Communication

Partnerships

Prioritisation

Team leadership

Knowledge sharing

IT skills

Housing management

Job description

At Bath & North East Somerset Council we have one overriding purpose to improve people’s lives.

Working for Housing Services to provide supported and social housing in Bath.

Make a difference by leading excellent support for homeless households and helping people move into long-term accommodation.

Bath & North East Somerset Council has developed a range of accommodation options in Bath for homeless households. Our supported housing service is managed in-house, with Council staff providing high-quality support to residents and helping them prepare for independent living. The team also manages the Council's growing portfolio of general needs social housing.

We are looking for an experienced and motivated Senior Support Worker to join our team. This is an exciting opportunity for someone with a strong background in homelessness, supported housing or housing support who is ready to take on additional responsibility and help shape excellent practice across the service.

About The Role

The purpose of this role is to support homeless households living in the Council's supported housing and temporary accommodation, whilst providing leadership and guidance within the team.

You will deliver high-quality, person-centred support that enables residents to develop the skills, confidence and stability needed to move on to independent living. You will work with people experiencing a range of complex needs, helping them address barriers to housing and achieve positive outcomes.

Alongside managing your own caseload, you will take a lead role in promoting best practice, championing trauma-informed approaches and supporting colleagues through the sharing of knowledge, experience and guidance.

As Part Of a Small Team You Will Provide

• High-quality, person-centred support to residents with complex and multiple needs, including homelessness, mental health, substance misuse, offending behaviour, physical health needs, and social isolation.
• Leading on the assessment, planning and review of support interventions, ensuring residents are supported to achieve sustainable outcomes and greater independence.
• Building strong multi‑agency partnerships and coordinating support from health, social care, criminal justice, and community services to improve outcomes for residents.
• Taking a lead role in managing complex cases, supporting colleagues to identify risks, develop effective interventions, and maintain professional boundaries.
• Championing trauma-informed, strengths‑based, and psychologically informed approaches across the service.
• Providing guidance, support, and constructive challenge to colleagues, sharing knowledge and promoting best practice within the team.
• Supporting the induction and development of new team members and contributing to a positive learning culture.
• Contributing to service development by identifying opportunities for improvement, supporting change initiatives, and promoting high standards of support delivery.
• Working collaboratively with residents to develop the skills, confidence, and resilience needed to sustain accommodation and achieve their personal goals.
• Ensuring safeguarding, risk management, and resident wellbeing remain central to all aspects of service delivery.

You Should Have

• Experience of supporting people experiencing homelessness or other complex needs.
• A strong understanding of safeguarding, risk assessment and professional boundaries.
• Experience of creating and reviewing support plans to achieve positive outcomes.
• Excellent communication, influencing and negotiation skills.
• Experience of working effectively with a wide range of partner agencies.
• The ability to manage competing priorities and work independently.
• Experience of working collaboratively within a team and taking the lead in areas of expertise.
• The ability to promote good practice and support colleagues through sharing knowledge and guidance.
• Good IT, administrative and record-keeping skills.
• An understanding of housing management and the challenges facing homeless households.

Desirable

• Experience within supported housing, homelessness services, social housing or a related field.
• Knowledge of welfare benefits and tenancy sustainment.
• An understanding of trauma-informed and psychologically informed approaches.
• Relevant housing, support work or health and social care qualifications.

This is an in-person role based within the Council's accommodation services in Bath.

The successful candidate will be required to complete an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

Why Join Us?

This is a challenging but highly rewarding role that offers the opportunity to make a genuine difference to people's lives. You will be part of a dedicated team committed to delivering excellent housing and support services for some of Bath's most vulnerable residents.

• Please note, BANES Council operates a policy of prior consideration for roles for any individual on the Council’s at-risk register (redeployee). This means should a redeployee express an interest in this role, providing they meet the essential criteria for the role they will be considered ahead of external applicants.

About Bath And North East Somerset Council.

Working at Bath and North East Somerset provides an opportunity to contribute to your community and make a positive impact on the lives of residents. Our values shape how we work to deliver public services, and how we communicate with the residents we serve. We care about the best outcomes for local people, through our public services.

Why Bath and North East Somerset Council?

We offer a wide range of benefits, to ensure that you are paid fairly for your work, have the flexibility to enjoy a great work/life balance, and have the support you need. Go to

At Bath and North East Somerset Council we have one overriding purpose to improve peoples lives. Find out more about our values at

We aspire to have a diverse and inclusive workplace and strongly encourage suitably qualified applicants from a wide range of backgrounds to apply and join us. Find out more on our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion at

We are a Disability Confident Employer find out more at

The Council is committed to having a diverse and inclusive workforce. Applications for job-share, part-time and flexible working arrangements are welcomed and will be considered in line with business needs.

Please note that this role is subject to an Enhanced DBS Check.

Safeguarding Statement: The Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable groups and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment. As part of this commitment anyone working in a post with children or vulnerable groups will be expected to undertake an Enhanced DBS check with/without barred list checks.