Supported Housing Support Worker

Ymca; Crawley; On-site; GBP 22,000 - 26,000; Full time

Job summary

YMCA DownsLink Group in West Sussex is seeking a Supported Housing Support Worker to join our Crawley Foyer team. You will hold a caseload of residents and meet weekly to build a personalised support plan.

The role involves housing tasks, coaching for independent living, safeguarding, and recording progress. You will work on a seven-day rolling rota, including evenings, weekends and bank holidays, ensuring a supportive, trauma-informed approach.

Qualifications

• Experience relating to housing, support work, and/or working with young people at risk.
• Experience of working with a caseload of young people with multiple and complex needs to enable independent living.
• Knowledge of safeguarding procedures in relation to young people and professional boundaries.
• Demonstrated recording notes in service log, incident forms and health and safety check lists.

Responsibilities

• Housing: coach young people to manage occupancy agreements and rent payments.
• Coaching and Engagement: help young people articulate aspirations and develop skills for independent living.
• General: work in a team on rota shifts, maintain safety and professional boundaries.
• Safeguarding and Trauma-Informed Practice: follow safeguarding procedures and professional boundaries.
• Record keeping: maintain client records in In-Form and related forms.

Skills

Clear communication

Relationship building

Autonomous working

IT and keyboard skills

De-escalation

Job description

Employment Type

Full Time, Permanent

Application Start Date

28-08-2026

Application End Date

20-09-2026

Location

State/County

West Sussex

RH11 7AQ

Country

United Kingdom

Work Style

On-site

Description

37.5 hours per week / permanent / working onsite on a seven-day rolling rota, including evenings, weekends and bank holidays.

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.

Crawley Foyer provides 24-hour supported housing services offering medium levels of housing-related support for young people aged 16-25 with 38 bedspaces and shared communal facilities.

We adopt a trauma informed and psychologically informed approach to supporting our residents to help them build essential life skills, identify their goals and work towards aspirations so that they can move on to enjoy fully independent futures. We have a dedicated team of Support Workers, Night Workers and additional Bank Workers who provide support, guidance, and signposting around areas such as housing, budgeting, living skills, jobs, relationship building and wellbeing. Situated in the centre of Crawley, the service has strong links with and contributes to the local community.

We are looking for a Supported Housing Support Worker to join our Crawley Foyer team, who will hold a caseload of residents and meet with them weekly to build a support plan.

Main areas of responsibilities are:

Housing:

• Coach young people to manage their occupancy agreement and adhere to house rules, in preparation for independent living
• Promote a credit culture, encouraging young people to keep up to date with all payments for rent
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of housing and welfare benefits for young people and be well-informed on significant changes to housing law
• Deal effectively with non-compliance issues, such as non-payment of rent or damage to room, using restorative practices and working collaboratively with the rest of the team

Coaching and Engagement:

• Coach young people so they can articulate their aspirations and ambitions and take the lead in acquiring the skills they need to live independent and fulfilling lives
• Ensure young people are encouraged to take responsibility for their own personal development, to engage with the services on offer and build strong networks and connections within the local community
• Ensure consistent standards of safeguarding and Trauma Informed Practice when supporting young people, observing our safeguarding procedures, and keeping yourself and residents safe by respecting professional boundaries
• Maintain client records on In-Form (client database) detailing the young person’s journey in relation to their strengths and needs, any risks, and any outcomes (to monitor service performance)

General:

• Work as part of a team, on a rota shift pattern, ensuring young people at the service have non-judgemental, objective, and supportive staff during the day/evening, along with taking responsibility for personal safety during periods of lone working
• Contribute to a great working environment, with a calm, yet assertive manner, being able to handle potentially difficult situations
• Participate in relevant continuing professional development and utilise Reflective Practice Supervision as part of leading psychologically informed practice

There will be times when lone working will be a requirement for this role, but you will get to know the team and service, along with an induction and training prior to starting on a rota.

If you are enthusiastic about this opportunity but your experience doesn’t align perfectly with every requirement, we encourage you to apply anyway and demonstrate how your experience is transferrable.You may be just the right candidate.

This is a dynamic and varied role; you will be passionate about being involved in the support and growth of young people.

Experience and Knowledge:

• Experience relating to housing, support work, and/or working with young people at risk
• Experience of working proactively with a caseload of young people with multiple and complex needs to enable them to achieve independent living
• Knowledge of statutory and voluntary resources available to young people with multiple and complex needs
• Knowledge of good safeguarding procedures in relation to young people and the ability to maintain effective professional boundaries
• Demonstrated confidence and competence in recording notes/actions in service log, incident forms and health and safety check lists

Skills and Abilities:

• Ability to communicate clearly both verbally and in writing for appropriate recording of a resident’s progression, and to evidence outcomes achieved
• Ability to build and maintain strong relationships with all stakeholders, including signposting and advocating for clients as necessary
• Ability to work autonomously, and use own initiative, as well as being part of a team
• Clear verbal and written communication skills, good IT, and keyboard skills
• Ability to de-escalate volatile situations and manage challenging behaviour appropriately

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.

I declare that the information contained in the application form and the equal opportunities monitoring form is true and correct. I understand that any false or misleading information, or omissions concerning criminal convictions, may disqualify my application or may render my Contract of Employment, if I am appointed, liable for dismissal without notice.

I understand that the position I am applying for involves contact with children and young people; if I am successful, an Enhanced (including the Children’s and Adults’ barred lists) DBS Disclosure will be applied for. We will also conduct reference and background checks as part of our hiring process, these checks will be carried out by a third-party service provider.

In addition, by submitting this application, I agree and confirm that YMCA DownsLink Group store my personal details to be able to process my job application. This information will be kept for one year if your application is unsuccessful, if appointed, it will become part of your HR record.

I confirm that I have read and understood the above declaration.