Supported Housing Support Worker

Homeless Link; Eastbourne; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 31,000; Part time

Job summary

YMCA DownsLink Group in Eastbourne is seeking a part-time Housing Support Worker for 20 hours per week. The role spans housing compliance, arrears management, safeguarding, and coaching residents toward independent living across seven properties.

The post is permanent with a pro rata salary of £28,330 per annum, based at the Eastbourne office and visiting properties weekly, Monday–Friday from 9am to 5pm.

Qualifications

• Experience in housing or supported accommodation for young people
• Understanding of occupancy agreements, rent management, welfare benefits
• Ability to manage arrears and non-compliance issues using restorative approaches
• Knowledge of housing legislation and safeguarding procedures

Responsibilities

• Assist residents with occupancy agreements and house rules for independent living
• Promote rent payments and financial responsibilities
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of housing law and organisational policies
• Respond to breaches of agreement and support residents using restorative approaches
• Coach residents to articulate goals and develop independent living skills
• Maintain client records in the system detailing progress and risks

Skills

Record keeping

Clear communication

Relationship building

IT skills

Autonomy & teamwork

Job description

20 hours per week / £28,330 per annum, pro rata / permanent / working hours will be between Monday - Friday, 9am - 5pm.

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, and we build real connections – guide us in all our actions.

East Sussex Transitional Housing is a low-support service, providing safe, secure, supported accommodation for 98 young people between the ages of 18-25 who have been, or are, at risk of homelessness. We have a small, supportive, and established team which manages 18 housing properties across, Eastbourne, Bexhill and Hastings. 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.

You will be based at the YMCA office in Eastbourne but will be visiting our 7 properties around Eastbourne each week, meeting with residents in their homes and at the office.

Main areas of responsibilities are:

Housing and Compliance

• Support young people to understand and comply with their occupancy agreements, including coaching them to meet house rules and responsibilities as part of preparing for successful independent living.
• Promote a strong rent-payment and credit culture, encouraging residents to maintain regular payments and understand their financial obligations.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of housing legislation, welfare benefits, and statutory requirements affecting young people, ensuring practice aligns with current housing law and organisational policies.
• Respond promptly and effectively to breaches of agreement, including rent arrears, antisocial behaviour, or property damage, using restorative approaches where appropriate and working collaboratively with the wider 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).

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.

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 in housing or supported accommodation, ideally supporting young people with multiple and complex needs.
• Strong understanding of occupancy agreements, rent management, welfare benefits, and tenancy sustainment.
• Ability to manage arrears, ASB, and other non-compliance issues using appropriate and restorative approaches.
• Good knowledge of housing legislation, safeguarding procedures, and compliance requirements, with the ability to maintain clear professional boundaries.
• Familiarity with statutory and voluntary services available to young people and ability to work proactively with a caseload to support progression towards independent living.

Skills and Abilities

• Confident in record-keeping, including case notes, incident reporting, and health and safety checks.
• 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.

CLOSING DATE: Sunday 23 August at midnight.

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 workplace

We 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.

Accessibility

If 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.