Senior Support Worker

Right There; City of Edinburgh; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 34,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Six weeks leave

Buy/sell days

Pension enrolment

Life insurance

Enhanced family leave

Employee assistance program

Job summary

Right There is seeking a Senior Support Worker to lead the Outreach Edinburgh team, delivering person-centred support for people aged 16+ moving into longer-term accommodation or at risk of homelessness.

The role combines team leadership with hands-on practice, coordinating planning, safeguarding and partnerships with local authorities, housing providers and social services, while maintaining professional boundaries on a 24/7 on-call rota.

Qualifications

• SVQ Level 3 in Health and Social Care or equivalent experience.
• Experience supporting vulnerable people, homelessness context preferred.
• Knowledge of housing and welfare benefits.
• Awareness of safeguarding and confidentiality.

Responsibilities

• Lead, support and coach a team of Support Workers.
• Coordinate team meetings, supervision, appraisals, development plans, rota cover and induction.
• Champion person-centred, trauma-informed support and Psychologically Informed Environment principles.
• Lead case management, support planning and risk assessment; ensure records are accurate and used.
• Guide colleagues on housing options, welfare benefits, community resources and complex moves.
• Oversee referrals, safeguarding, complaints, incidents, audits, KPIs and contractual requirements.
• Provide some direct support and participate in the 24/7 on-call rota.

Skills

Team leadership

Coaching

Communication skills

Caseload management

Education

SVQ Level 3 in Health and Social Care

Working towards SVQ Level 3

Tools

Microsoft 365

CRM systems

Job description

About The Role

We are recruiting an experienced and compassionate Senior Support Worker to lead our Outreach Edinburgh team. You will help deliver high-quality, person-centred support for people aged 16 and over who are moving on from homelessness into longer-term accommodation, or who are at risk of losing their home.

Our team offers practical and emotional support in people’s homes and communities—helping with wellbeing, finances, relationships, access to services and the skills needed to live independently. As Senior Support Worker, you will combine confident team leadership with hands‑on practice, building trust and keeping the people we support at the centre of every decision.

Your role

• Lead, support and coach a team of Support Workers, creating a positive and reflective working culture.


• Coordinate team meetings, supervision, appraisals, development plans, rota cover and safe recruitment and induction.


• Champion person-centred, trauma-informed support and Psychologically Informed Environment principles.


• Lead case management, support planning and risk assessment, ensuring records are accurate, current and used effectively.


• Guide colleagues on housing options, welfare benefits, community resources and complex or higher‑risk moves.


• Oversee referrals, service quality, safeguarding, complaints, incidents, audits, KPIs and statutory or contractual requirements.


• Build effective partnerships with local authorities, Social Work, housing providers and other agencies.


• Provide some direct support and field work, model professional boundaries and take part in the 24/7 on‑call rota.

What you’ll bring

You will have an SVQ Level 3 in Health and Social Care, be working towards it, or bring significant equivalent experience. You will also have experience supporting vulnerable people—ideally those affected by homelessness or housing instability—and the confidence to guide others in delivering safe, respectful and effective support.

• Knowledge of housing and homelessness legislation, welfare benefits and relevant local resources.


• A working understanding of SSSC Codes of Practice, Care Inspectorate Standards, safeguarding and confidentiality.


• Awareness of trauma, mental health, alcohol and drug use, and adolescent development.


• Strong communication, report‑writing, record‑keeping, time‑management and caseload oversight skills.


• Confidence in de‑escalating conflict, responding to concerns and maintaining professional boundaries.


• Ability to work flexibly, use Microsoft 365 and promote good practice across a team.

Experience of managing, mentoring, coaching or supervising colleagues in a similar setting—particularly in the third sector—would be an advantage. Knowledge of Psychologically Informed Environments, awareness of issues affecting young people seeking asylum in the UK, and the ability to respond to crises at short notice would also be welcome.

Our Offer

• Six weeks’ annual leave in your first year, rising to eight weeks in your second year, including public holidays.


• The option to buy or sell five days’ annual leave.


• People’s Pension enrolment from day one if eligible, with 5% employer and 5% employee contributions.


• Life insurance worth four times your salary.


• Enhanced family-friendly and compassionate leave.


• 24‑hour support through our Employee Assistance Programme, Wellbeing Hub and self‑care resources.


• Trauma‑informed training, an annual development plan and funded SVQ qualifications for appropriate roles.


• Health Shield, Cycle to Work, Glasgow Credit Union offers, Blue Light Card access and other employee rewards.

About Us

We are Right There, a charity that recently celebrated our 200th anniversary. We provide tailored support for people, at home, and in the community. We are here for people who are living with the effects of homelessness, poverty, substance use, or family breakdowns.

Last year we supported almost 4,000 individuals, helping to prevent them from becoming homeless or separated from the people they love. Every person’s story is unique, and everyone’s route home is different - it doesn’t matter what the situation is – we’re not here to judge, only to help.