Assistant recovery worker jobs

Spitalfields Crypt Trust (SCT) is an East London charity providing practical help, support and training to people who have experienced homelessness and addiction. We run a Housing First project, a Recovery Hub, supported housing and social enterprises that help people rebuild their lives. Our charity shops are a vital part of that work, raising income to support our services and connecting us with the communities we serve.

SCT is recruiting an Assistant Shop Manager to work across our East London charity shops in a floating role, supporting the day-to-day running of multiple stores.

This is a full-time position (35 hours per week, worked across 5 fully flexible days including weekends and bank holidays) with a salary of £26,936 per year.

A bit about you

You’re friendly, hands-on and organised, with strong retail experience, excellent people skills and a real enthusiasm for charity retail and preloved fashion. You’re confident supporting shop performance, delivering great customer service, leading volunteers and maintaining high standards across different locations.

You’ll be adaptable, proactive and solutions-focused, with the ability to build strong relationships with colleagues, volunteers and local communities. You’ll also be comfortable with stock processing, merchandising, shop administration and using systems such as MS Office and POS.

SCT is a growing organisation with opportunities for people with strong motivation, initiative and a commitment to our values.

Please see the full Role Overview and Role Responsibilities attached.

How to apply

To apply, please send your CV and a cover letter explaining how and why you’re a good match for the role.

About the role

The role will play a critical role to help deliver an effective and high performing rent collection and recovery service in accordance with legislation, the organisation’s policies, set performance targets and customer satisfaction requirements. In collaboration with the Resident Services Manager to ensure that the organisation is compliant with all regulations and using robust policy and procedures and ensuring the right systems are in place to effectively manage the revenue and income streams and arrears of the organisation. This role will also manage the impact of welfare reform provisions, ensuring an effective advice and support service to residents to manage risk on revenue and income levels.

We welcome applications from those with experience in supported housing and rent arrears management. 

Responsibilities

• The role also oversees the best payment methods for all residents at sign up and this includes the setting up of standing orders or direct debits in line with the direct debit guarantee where applicable. To liaise with the Assistant Accountant who will oversee the administration of this.

• Production of performance and management reports, setting collection targets in consultation with the Resident Services Manager and proactively monitoring and reporting in respect of service delivery, performance indicators and targets.

• Maximise the collection of arrears by having regular meetings with the Team Managers; being proactive in contacting Support Workers or residents, providing them with clear instructions on information requests and repayment options.

• To work closely with other members of the Revenue team to manage resident rent and accommodation charge accounts and other former resident debts, on a regular basis identifying trends and patterns on individual accounts and then liaise with Support Workers or residents to rectify income issues and address arrears in line with policies and procedures.

• To maximise rent collection in line with targets by making arrangements to recover rent arrears and to enforce related tenancy conditions, ensuring residents’ rent accounts are monitored and prompt actions taken to prevent the accumulation of debt, and to authorise any rent account adjustments and refunds.

• Work closely with the Assistant Accountant to ensure that all residents Personal Contributions (PC) and Housing Benefit (HB) are calculated correctly on sign up and when there has been a change of circumstance

• Liaising with local authorities’ benefits teams and Government agencies on new benefit claims and issues in liaison with the Assistant Accountant and regular meetings together.

• Acting as the main first point of contact on queries around revenue and income management, policies, procedures and systems.

• Ensuring team have Welfare benefits training and are up to date with regulation. Working with Support Workers to ensure residents maximise their incomes by claiming all benefits due them

• To assist vulnerable residents with prompt and appropriate action and advice, and liaise with other agencies and departments to ensure that their needs are met.

• To be responsible for preparing timely and accurate reports on arrears cases, to attend Court and represent the organisation on individual arrears and possession cases when relevant, to prepare eviction reports and represent the organisation at evictions to ensure the successful repossession of properties.

• To maintain appropriate and accurate records to comply with statutory and service-wide reporting requirements on performance issues.

• To contribute towards the continuous improvement of performance in line with the organisation’s service plan targets.

• To work with other agencies and departments such as the organisation’s Finance Department, Customer Services Team; Housing Benefits, The DWP, Advice agencies, Housing Officers, Solicitors and the Courts in delivering an efficient and effective service.

• To attend meetings internally as and when necessary, for example, Directorate, Management and planning meetings.

• Cover the lead person when required on daily cash reconciliations whilst following finance policies and procedures

• Cover the lead persons when required to organise banking with the Finance Department whilst working closely with colleagues within the Resident Services Department and other senior employees to carry out banking runs.

• To undertake such other duties within the competence of the post holder which may be required from time to time.

• Person specification

• Experience

• Demonstrable experience of working in a supported housing environment in a similar or related role

• Experience of supervising a person or team

• Qualifications

• GSCE (or equivalent) in English, Maths

• Skills and Knowledge

• Knowledge of supported housing sector and housing law

• Detailed knowledge of rent arrears issues and processes

• Detailed knowledge of housing and welfare benefits

• Understanding of trauma informed practice

• Abilities

• Capable of developing and maintaining constructive and positive working relationships both internally and externally

• Personal qualities

  • Be creative in problem solving and seek out practical solutions to complex problem

• Demonstrate a high degree of accountability and decision making

• Full driving licence held and maintained

• Desirable criteria

• Housing or a related qualification

•  

• Be able to meet deadlines and balance priorities

• Be able to delegate and allocate work effectively

• Be able to monitor operational and customer service performance and suggest and implement ways of improving performance

• Be able to manage change, introduce new initiatives, and revise systems and processes

• Be able to communicate clearly and concisely, with a systematic and consistent style including experience of report writing and drafting policies/procedures

• Interview process

  Interviews will be held during the week commencing 13 April 2026. The process will begin with a short pre‑screening interview. Candidates who are successful at this stage will be invited to an in‑person interview, which will include a practical test as part of the assessment.

  Before starting this position, you’ll need to undergo a criminal record check by the Disclosure and Barring Service. You must be entitled to work in the UK. Due to the customer‑focused nature of this role, working from home will be one day per week 

Salary: £40,000 – £41,000 per annum (depending on experience)
Location: Reigate, Surrey (with some hybrid working)
Contract: Full-time
Closing Date: 19th March 2026
Start date: ASAP with consideration given to notice periods

Do you have the vision, leadership and compassion to transform the futures of women experiencing homelessness?

Keychange is a Christian charity with over 100 years of experience supporting people facing vulnerability. Today, we provide specialist housing for women and young people experiencing homelessness, alongside residential care for older people across the South and South West of England.

We are now seeking an exceptional Supported Housing Manager (Surrey) to shape and lead our specialist women’s homelessness service at Wayside Community in Reigate. This community is a 19 bed, 24-7 supported housing for women experiencing homelessness. This is a rare opportunity to combine frontline leadership, strategic development, and church and community partnership building in a role with real depth, influence and impact.

About the Role

• This is a leadership role with both operational and strategic responsibility. You will:
• Provide leadership and line management to the Deputy Manager, Senior Administrator and a skilled team of support workers
• Lead the delivery of trauma-informed, strengths-based, person-centred support
• Develop strong partnership networks across local authorities, charities, housing providers and churches
• Shape the future of Keychange’s women’s homelessness strategy across Surrey

At the heart of this role is a deep commitment to co-production, dignity, recovery, community and belonging.

Who We’re Looking For
You will bring:

• Substantial experience supporting or managing services for vulnerable individuals
• A strong understanding of trauma, safeguarding, risk and recovery-based practice
• Leadership of a team delivering frontline support
• Previous experience managing operational budgets
• Proven ability to build partnerships and influence across multiple stakeholders
• Excellent communication and leadership skills
• Confidence engaging with churches and Christian networks across traditions
• A values-led approach aligned with Keychange’s Christian ethos

Desirable experience includes:

• Managing accommodation-based services
• Existing Church partnerships across Surrey

Occupational requirement:

• This post is subject to the Occupational Requirement (OR) under Schedule 9, Part 1, paragraph 3 of the Equality Act 2010 that the post-holder is a practising Christian. This requirement is necessary and proportionate in light of the responsibilities of the role, which include: promoting and upholding the Christian ethos, charitable objectives and values of Keychange; supporting the spiritual wellbeing of service users; facilitating faith exploration; developing church partnerships; and representing the organisation in faith-based settings.

What We Offer

• Salary of £40,000 – £41,000
• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays
• Hybrid working (with 4 days regularly site or community based)
• Employee Assistance Program and Life Insurance
• Contributory Pension Scheme with matched employer contributions
• Ongoing personalised learning and professional development
• A supportive, faith-centred, values-driven culture

For more information about the opportunity and for details on how to contact us informally to discuss the role in greater detail before applying, please see the job pack attached to this advert.

How to Apply
Please submit a cover letter clearly addressing the essential and desirable criteria and an up-to-date CV focused on relevant experience. Applications without a cover letter will not be considered.

Recruitment Timeline

• Start date: ASAP with consideration given to notice periods
• Deadline for submitting your application: 19 March 2026
• First screening interviews, remotely: 25 March 2026
• Full interviews in person in central London: 30 March 2026
• Start date: ASAP with consideration given to notice period