Sessional Supported Housing Support Worker

YMCA DownsLink Group; Guildford; On-site; GBP 17,000 - 22,000; Full time

Job summary

YMCA DownsLink Group in Guildford is seeking Sessional Supported Housing Support Workers to join our dedicated team at Guildford Foyer. This flexible role offers ad hoc shifts seven days a week, with patterns including 08:00-16:00 and 14:00-22:00.

You should be confident, reliable and able to work independently, with a passion for helping young people aged 16-25. The Guildford Foyer provides a 33-bed supported accommodation and trauma-informed approach to fostering independence.

Qualifications

• Experience of working with young people or in supported housing, care, education or community settings.
• Reliable and able to work independently, including lone shifts.
• Compassionate, resilient and approachable with good interpersonal skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide practical and emotional support to residents.
• Build positive relationships and guide residents to opportunities.
• Cover ad hoc shifts across days, evenings and weekends.

Skills

Experience with young people

Reliability

Independence

Job description

Employment Type

Application Start Date

06-11-2026

Application End Date

22-11-2026

Location

Guildford

State/County

Surrey

GU1 4RP

Country

UK

Work Style

On-site

Description

Looking for work that fits around your life? Our sessional opportunities offer maximum flexibility, with day, evening, waking night, weekend and bank holiday shifts available throughout the year. Shifts are offered both in advance and at short notice, and you decide which ones you'd like to accept.

Whether you're seeking additional income, varied experience or a route into a permanent role, working as a Sessional Support Worker is a great way to get started.

YMCA DownsLink Group is the leading charity for children and young people across Sussex and Surrey. We offer safe homes, mental health support and trusted advice.

We believe that every child and young person has the right to be safe, heard and to shape their own future. We work alongside them to make that happen.

We are here for children and young people, many of whom face multiple challenges and need our support.

Our Values-we do what’s right, we work with heart,andwe build real connections– guide us in all our actions.

We are seeking Sessional Supported Housing Support Workers to join our dedicated team at Guildford Foyer. This is a flexible role, with ad hoc shifts available seven days a week, including 08:00-16:00 and 14:00-22:00 patterns.

We are particularly looking for people who can cover 14:00-22:00 shifts on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays. Please note that these shifts may involve lone working, so confidence, reliability and the ability to work independently are essential.

The Guildford Foyer is a 33-bed supported accommodation service for young people aged 16 to 25, providing low – medium level support in a safe and welcoming environment.

Our service is staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and takes a trauma-informed and psychologically informed approach to helping young people develop essential life skills, build resilience, identify their goals and achieve greater independence.

Located in the heart of Guildford, the Foyer has strong links with the local community and plays an active role in supporting young people to move forward positively with their lives.

About the Role

As a Sessional Support Worker, you will work alongside our experienced team of Support Workers and Night Workers to provide practical and emotional support to residents. You will build positive relationships with young people, helping them navigate challenges and access opportunities that support their personal development and future aspirations.

Your responsibilities will include providing support, guidance and signposting around areas such as:

• Housing and tenancy management
• Budgeting and financial wellbeing
• Independent living skills
• Education, training and employment opportunities
• Health and wellbeing
• Building positive relationships and community connections

You will also contribute to the safe and effective day-to-day running of the service, providing consistency, reliability and encouragement to the young people we support.

About You

As an important member of our wider team, you'll play a key role in creating a stable, safe and supportive environment for the young people we work with. While this role offers flexibility, we rely on our Sessional Support Workers to provide dependable support and honour the shifts they have agreed to work. Your contribution is vital in ensuring the service remains well-staffed, secure and consistent, enabling young people to receive the reliable support they need to thrive.

You will ideally have experience of working with young people or within a supported housing, care, education or community setting. You will have an understanding of the challenges, risks and opportunities facing young people, together with a genuine passion for helping them achieve positive outcomes.

Most importantly, you will be approachable, compassionate and resilient, with a commitment to empowering young people to develop the skills, confidence and independence needed to build positive and fulfilling futures.

If you're excited by this opportunity but don't meet every requirement, we would still love to hear from you. We recognise that valuable skills and experience can come from a variety of backgrounds, and you may be exactly the person we're looking for.

CLOSING DATE: Sunday 22 November 2026 at midnight. Please note, we will be interviewing candidates on a rolling basis, early applications are encouraged.

PLEASE NOTE:We are unable to provide work permits or visa sponsorship for this role, so applicants must already have the right to live and work in the UK independently.

An inclusive workplaceWe are committed to policies and practices of equity, diversity, and inclusion and to supporting our people to make sure our culture is consistent with this commitment.

AccessibilityIf you require assistance or have questions regarding the application process, please do contact us.

YMCA DLG requires all staff and volunteers to be committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and to respond proactively to safeguarding concerns.

Successful applicants will undergo a thorough background screening process, conducted by an accredited third-party provider. This includes an Enhanced DBS check (with Children’s and Adults’ Barred Lists) as well as comprehensive reference and activity checks.