Support Worker - Waking Night

HBHR; Portsmouth; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 32,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days annual leave

Flexible working options

Induction and training

Employee Assistance Programme

Cycle to work scheme

Discounted laptops

Employer pension contributions

Job summary

Portsmouth Rough Sleeping Services is seeking a Waking Night Support Worker to provide compassionate, client-centered support during overnight hours in Portsmouth.

You will work with individuals facing homelessness and complex needs, ensuring safety, documenting outcomes, and promoting engagement with services. The role is full-time, fixed-term to 31 March 2027, with 42 hours weekly and 8pm–8am shifts.

Qualifications

• Literacy and IT skills sufficient to demonstrate ability to write letters and emails (essential).
• Ability to listen and communicate effectively with clients.
• Ability to adhere to risk assessments and follow risk management plans.
• Ability to encourage clients to make healthy lifestyle choices.
• Ability to remain calm in difficult situations.

Responsibilities

• Provide support to people with histories of homelessness and complex needs during waking night shifts.
• Support clients with daily living tasks and ensure safety during night hours.

Skills

Listening

Communication

Risk management

Literacy

IT skills

Job description

Employment Type

Full Time, Fixed Term

Application Start Date

01-10-2026

Application End Date

09-10-2026

Location

Portsmouth

State/County

Hampshire

PO5 1LR

Country

United Kingdom

Work Style

On-site

Non-profit charitable organisations

Experience

Experience of working with people with histories of homelessness, poor mental ill health and substance use (desirable)

Education

Literacy and IT skills sufficient to demonstrate ability to write letters and emails (essential)

Support Worker - Waking Night

Portsmouth Rough Sleeping Services

£25,947 (£13.45ph) plus unsocial premium

Shift Details

42 hours per week, 4 nights on and 4 nights off

Working hours: 8pm – 8am

Fixed term to 31st March 2027

The Society wishes to recruit a Waking Night Support Worker to work in a new Night Service in Portsmouth. Here we offer a wide range of support to people with histories of homelessness, substance and alcohol use, poor mental ill health and other complex needs. We believe that every person is of worth and we are prepared to take risks to house and support the most vulnerable and socially excluded members of society.

It will be beneficial to have some experience and knowledge of the needs of vulnerable people with histories of homelessness, alcohol/substance dependency and poor mental ill health.

Essential Criteria

• Knowledge and understanding of equality and diversity, with respect to staff and clients
• Ability to listen and communicate effectively with clients
• Ability to adhere to risk assessments and follow risk management plans
• Literacy and IT skills sufficient to demonstrate ability to write letters and emails (essential)
• Ability to encourage clients to make healthy lifestyle choices
• Ability to remain calm in difficult situations

Desirable Criteria

• Experience of working with people with histories of homelessness, poor mental ill health and substance use (desirable)
• Experience of dealing with challenging and dangerous behaviour (desirable)
• Awareness and understanding of health and safety
• Understanding of safeguarding for vulnerable adults
• Knowledge of lone working procedures and staying safe at work

Staff Benefits

• A competitive annual leave entitlement of 25 days rising to 30 days, plus public holidays
• Flexible working options
• Buying additional annual leave
• Comprehensive induction and training
• Counselling, financial, personal support and health and wellbeing services via our Employee Assistance Programme
• Company cycle to work scheme
• Discounted laptops and computers with Jamie’s Computers

Our Values

SSJ believes that every human being is of worth and is worthy of respect. Individuals will be dealt with on the basis of their current needs and situations. SSJ is prepared to take risks in order to house and support the most vulnerable and socially excluded members of our society.

Respect - SSJ values and respect communities, individuals, colleagues and resources.

Response - SSJ reacts to change, opportunity and challenges and act when they see something wrong.

Recognition - SSJ sees people as assets and help them to reach their full potential.

SSJ is committed to promoting Equality and Diversity and welcomes applications from people of all backgrounds. However, we are unable to accept applications from those seeking a Sponsorship.

Closing Date: Friday 9th October 2026

Additional Benefits

• Cycle to work scheme
• Discounted laptops and computers with Jamie’s Computers
• Employer pension contributions via salary sacrificeFlexible working opportunities
• Counselling, financial, personal support, and health and well-being services via our Employee Assistance Programme