Senior Support Worker - Homelessness

Morgan Hunt; Orpington; On-site; GBP 33,000 - 39,000; Full time

Job summary

Morgan Hunt is seeking a Senior Support Worker to lead a homelessness service in Orpington. The role combines direct client work with staff supervision, safeguarding, and partnership work with statutory and community agencies.

You will drive safety, wellbeing and progression of clients, coordinating risk assessments and support plans while supporting the team to deliver strengths-based, person-centred assistance.

Qualifications

• Experience supervising or supporting other staff.
• Experience working with people who have experienced homelessness.
• Experience supporting individuals with mental health, substance use, or care histories.
• Strong risk assessment and support planning abilities.
• Solid safeguarding knowledge and procedures.

Responsibilities

• Ensure safety and wellbeing of clients following safeguarding procedures.
• Maintain risk assessments, SMART plans, and case files.
• Deliver one-to-one and group support in accommodation and community.
• Lead clients to build resilience and independence.
• Collaborate with statutory and community agencies for outcomes.
• Involve clients in decisions about their support and activities.
• Support access to education, training, employment and volunteering.
• Oversee health, safety, and maintenance of the accommodation.
• Manage rent, charges and petty cash; support financial processes.
• Coordinate with Finance, HR, Fundraising, and Business Development.
• Supervise volunteers and assist in staff recruitment and induction.
• Participate in on-call rota and provide out-of-hours support.

Skills

Staff supervision

Homelessness experience

Mental health support

Risk assessment

Safeguarding

Partnership working

Communication skills

Job description

Senior Support Worker - Homelessness

Location: Orpington
Hours: 10am - 6pm, Mon - Fri
Contract: 3 Months
Salary: £16/hr

About the Role

We are looking for an experienced Senior Support Worker to play a key role in the delivery of a high-quality accommodation and support service for people who have experienced homelessness and may have additional needs including poor mental health, substance use or experience of living in care.

You will take a lead role in ensuring the safety, wellbeing and progression of clients, while supporting the wider team to deliver person-centred, strengths-based and psychologically informed support.

The role combines direct client work with staff supervision, safeguarding, partnership working, housing management and day-to-day service oversight, making it ideal for an experienced support professional ready to take on greater responsibility.

Key Responsibilities

• Ensure the safety and wellbeing of clients, following safeguarding and emergency procedures at all times
• Maintain high-quality risk assessments, needs assessments, SMART support plans and case files
• Deliver and oversee one-to-one and group support within accommodation and the wider community
• Support clients to build resilience, independence and positive relationships
• Lead partnership working with statutory and community agencies to promote positive client outcomes
• Ensure clients are involved in decisions about their support and encouraged to participate in wider community activities
• Support clients to access education, training, employment and volunteering opportunities
• Maintain oversight of health and safety within the service, including regular checks, risk assessments and reporting
• Retain oversight of repairs and maintenance to ensure the accommodation remains safe and well maintained
• Ensure accurate collection and recording of rent, charges and petty cash and support effective financial management
• Liaise with internal departments including Finance, HR, Fundraising and Business Development as required
• Deploy and supervise volunteers supporting the service
• Support the Service Manager with recruitment and induction of new staff
• Participate in an on-call rota and provide support during unsocial hours where required

Staff Supervision & Leadership

• Provide line management and supervision to Progression Coaches and other staff as required
• Conduct regular supervision, appraisals and performance management
• Support the development of staff through reflective practice, training and ongoing learning
• Act as a positive role model for colleagues and promote high standards of professional practice
• Support the Service Manager with the effective day-to-day running of the service

What We're Looking For

• Experience supervising or supporting the work of other staff
• Experience working with people who have experienced homelessness
• Experience supporting individuals affected by poor mental health, substance use or care experience
• Strong experience of risk assessment and support planning
• Good understanding of safeguarding requirements and procedures
• Strong literacy, numeracy and IT skills
• Understanding of professional boundaries and the ability to maintain them consistently
• Ability to work collaboratively with internal and external partners
• Strong commitment to equality, diversity and treating everyone with dignity and respect
• Commitment to maintaining high standards of health and safety
• Personal and professional integrity
• Ability to reflect on your own practice and use learning to improve outcomes A genuine commitment to strengths-based, asset-focused and person-centred support

What the Role Offers

• Opportunity to take on a senior role within a specialist homelessness service
• Combination of direct client work and staff leadership responsibilities
• Opportunity to support clients with complex and varied needs
• Involvement in partnership working across statutory and community services
• Training and development to strengthen both practical and professional skills
• Ongoing supervision and reflective practice
• Opportunity to develop your leadership and management experience