Benefits advice worker jobs

The Peer Support In-Reach Service is a partnership between several local Minds. Senior Peer Support Workers and Peer Support Workers, who have direct lived experience of mental health issues, are working on in-patient wards in Croydon, Greenwich, Lambeth, Lewisham and Wandsworth to provide recovery-focused peer support to people as they leave hospital and journey towards living independently in the community.

We are seeking a Senior Peer Support Worker to join the team in Lewisham and line manage the Peer Support Workers.

You will use your lived experience whilst on the ward to help people to build skills to manage their home, finances, connect with family and friends, pursue social or vocational interests, to get more involved in their local community and to stay physically and mentally well. 

Your support will be person-centred and may include mentoring, coaching, emotional support and facilitating access to community activities, practical support, work or study.  The role will be ward-based initially until the patient is ready for discharge; you will then work with them to develop their support plans and goals. You will support them with the transition into the community for up to 6 weeks, helping them to connect with community resources to ensure they are well-supported in the community and working towards their goals.

Successful applicants will be expected to undergo an Enhanced Level Disclosure and Barring Service check.

Closing date: Sunday 15th March (11:59pm)

Likely interview date: Week beginning 23rd March

We encourage early applications as we reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we receive a high number of applications.

About Us

SEL Mind supports people with mental health problems and dementia in the boroughs of Bromley, Greenwich, Lambeth, Lewisham and Southwark. We are proud of our diverse workforce and know that our organisation is made stronger by the variety of backgrounds, experience, and ideas within it. We promote a culture of inclusion and representation, and are working hard to build a workforce that even better reflects the communities we support.

SEL Mind is somewhere that you can be your authentic self without fear of discrimination on the grounds of ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability, neurodivergence, gender, age, lived experience of mental health problems or anything else that’s part of who you are.

Read more about staff benefits and why staff love working here on our website.

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.

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 

The Peer Support In-Reach Service is a partnership between several local Minds. Senior Peer Support Workers and Peer Support Workers, who have direct lived experience of mental health issues, are working on in-patient wards in Croydon, Greenwich, Lambeth, Lewisham and Wandsworth to provide recovery-focused peer support to people as they leave hospital and journey towards living independently in the community.

SEL Mind have a two vacancies for Peer Support Workers to join the team: one based in Lewisham and one in Greenwich.

You will use your lived experience whilst on the ward to help people build skills to manage their home and finances, connect with family and friends, pursue social or vocational interests, to get more involved in their local community and to stay physically and mentally well. Your support will be person-centred and may include mentoring, coaching, emotional support and facilitating access to community activities, practical support, work or study.

The role will be ward-based initially until the patient is ready for discharge; you will then work with them to develop their support plans and goals. You will support them with the transition into the community for up to 6 weeks, helping them to connect with community resources to ensure they are well-supported in the community and working towards their goals.

Successful applicants will be expected to undergo an Enhanced Level Disclosure and Barring Service check.

Closing date: Sunday 15th March (11:59pm)

Likely interview date: Week beginning 13th April

We encourage early applications as we reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we receive a high number of applications.

About Us

SEL Mind supports people with mental health problems and dementia in the boroughs of Bromley, Greenwich, Lambeth, Lewisham and Southwark. We are proud of our diverse workforce and know that our organisation is made stronger by the variety of backgrounds, experience, and ideas within it. We promote a culture of inclusion and representation, and are working hard to build a workforce that even better reflects the communities we support.

SEL Mind is somewhere that you can be your authentic self without fear of discrimination on the grounds of ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability, neurodivergence, gender, age, lived experience of mental health problems or anything else that’s part of who you are.

Read more about staff benefits and why staff love working here on our website.

About the role:

Step into a role where your drive, resilience and belief in young people can truly change lives. As a Young Person’s Worker across our accommodation services in Islington, Camden and Waltham Forest, you will be right alongside young people at risk of homelessness, helping them move from uncertainty towards stability and independence. This is hands on, purposeful work where every day matters, and where your determination can unlock real opportunity for those who need it most.

In this role, you will manage a caseload of young people, building trusted relationships and empowering them to lead their journey forward. You will create and review personalised support and safety plans, support moves into independent accommodation, and help young people take confident steps into education, training or employment. Working within a trauma informed and strengths based approach, you will champion each young person’s goals while developing practical life skills such as budgeting, self care and cooking. You will also support access to essential services including mental health support, housing advice and employment pathways, motivating and coaching young people to take ownership of their futures.

At Single Homeless Project (SHP), you will be part of a tenacious, values driven team that does not shy away from challenge and believes in doing things differently to achieve lasting change. We will support your ambition with ongoing training, development and the chance to grow your career while making a genuine impact. If you are ready to bring your energy, compassion and persistence to a role that truly matters, we would love to hear from you.

About you:

• You bring experience working with young people in the community and in accommodation services.
• Your toolkit includes practical skills in motivation and coaching young people
• Your approach is creative, analytical, trauma-informed and rooted in a strengths and recovery model.
• You can creatively inspire opportunities for our young people to thrive and to develop to their highest potential.
• A non-judgmental approach to working with complex needs young people and to promote a strengths-based approach and an understanding of and commitment to Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion.
• Strong team-working and interpersonal skills, maintaining a collaborative approach to supporting young people achieve the outcomes and goals we support them to set for themselves.

About Us:

We’re London’s leading homelessness charity – and we get things done.

In a city where hundreds are forced into homelessness every day, our work has never been more needed or more challenging. And we’re not shying away. We’re rolling up our sleeves to make change and helping over 10,000 Londoners every year. We prevent homelessness, provide safe places to live and give people the opportunity to rebuild their lives and transform their futures. And we never give up. 

We’re here for Londoners wherever they are on their journey. We start with trust, building relationships that help people feel safe, supported, and ready to move forward. Every day, we put people first in everything we do, challenging injustice and barriers that keep people from the safety, stability and opportunity they deserve. We stand alongside people as they rebuild and shape a future that feels their own. 

Joining Single Homeless Project means joining a team that’s bold, compassionate and determined to do better for the people we support and for each other. You’ll work alongside colleagues with lived experience, in a space that’s trans-inclusive, disability-friendly, and actively striving to be anti-oppressive and equitable. 

We’re not perfect, but we’re real. We listen. We learn. And we push forward, together. Because this isn’t just a job. It’s a chance to lead with empathy, spark change, and help build a London where no one is left behind.

Important Info:

Please note we will be reviewing applications as they are received and progressing those suitable to interview at our Head Office in Kings Cross on an adhoc basis. Therefore please submit your application as soon as possible as we reserve the right to close the advert once suitable candidates are identified. 

Please note there will be a second round of interviews in service for progressed candidates.

This post will require an Enhanced DBS check to be processed (by SHP) for the successful applicant.

Please note applications are reviewed for AI use in application questions. Applications requiring sponsorship or with insufficient right to work will not be accepted or progressed.

We’re an award-winning charity running local learning centres in the heart of the communities where the young people we support live. Our centres provide a high-impact education programme which includes practical learning support, pastoral care, and motivational and confidence-building activities for young people aged 7-18. Our aim is to enable students from the least advantaged neighbourhoods to realise their ambitions and achieve their wonderful potential.

As the UK’s leading university access organisation, our staff team is helping over 50,000 young people each year at its 44 learning centres and extension projects across England and Scotland, and we plan to scale-up our provision to 50 centres over the coming years.

We are looking for someone who will enjoy working each day with young people and who will thrive in a frontline, community-based, fast-paced and rewarding role. You will be taking up a fixed-term contract as an Education Worker at our
centre in Southampton.

Location: IntoUniversity Southampton
Contract: Full-time, fixed-term until July 2026
Applications close: 9am Tuesday 31st March 2026
Start date: As soon as possible, to be agreed directly with the successful candidate

Salary

£28,250 per annum

What could my day look like?

The Education Worker role is a frontline, fast-paced and rewarding role where no two weeks will look the same. A typical day will have different activities, possibly spread between the IntoUniversity centre, partner schools and the offices of a corporate partner.

In the morning, you might be setting off with resources to run a workshop for sixth-form students in their secondary school. In the afternoon you may be setting up the classroom ahead of running Primary Academic Support for young people in your IntoUniversity centre. On other days, you may be travelling to a corporate partner to run a business simulation workshop for 15 year-olds or leading a group of final year primary school students on a campus visit for their graduation.

As an Education Worker, you’ll always be delivering the programme as part of your centre team, which means that any delivery is always a team effort. 

About Working Well Trust

Working Well Trust is a mental health and employment charity in London. All of our projects share the aim of improving the lives of people with mental health support needs, learning disabilities and/or complex issues through training and employment.

We are recruiting a full-time Employment Support Worker to join our supported employment team in the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames. This is a permanent position with funding secured until March 2027.

What you’ll be doing

If you were working with us, you would hold a varied caseload of clients with lived experience of mental health, autism and/or a learning disability. You would support clients to identify their employment goals, build confidence, prepare for work, and navigate any barriers they may face.

Your work would be entirely person-centred. You would support clients in line with their preferences and aspirations, helping them identify roles that match their strengths. A key part of the role involves approaching employers, explaining the value of our service, and working with them to identify suitable opportunities for clients. You would continue to support both clients and employers to help individuals sustain their employment.

You would work closely with referring teams, maintaining regular communication and ensuring a coordinated and client-led approach. You would also work to agreed targets while maintaining a high-quality, supportive service that reflects the principles of SEQF and the British Association of supported employment.

What you’ll need

Experience in employment support is not essential. We are looking for someone who brings:

• A genuine desire to support people into meaningful employment.

• Commitment to person-centred work and enthusiasm to learn the SEQF approach.

• Confidence engaging with employers and promoting the benefits of our service.

• Good organisation skills and the ability to manage a caseload effectively.

• Beneficial (but not essential): experience working with people with learning disabilities or Autism.

We welcome applications from people with lived experience of mental health, either personally or through a close contact.

What we offer

• 30 days annual leave plus public holidays, pro rata (FTE)

• Employer pension contribution of 6%

• Supportive environment within a small, dedicated team

• Meaningful, rewarding work supporting people into employment

Working Well Trust is an equal opportunities employer and Confident about Disabilities.

What’s next

Before applying, please note that we actively review all applications and only progress candidates who provide meaningful answers to the screening questions.

If you are ready to support people in Kingston to achieve their employment goals and build positive relationships with employers, click Apply to submit your CV and complete the screening questions.

Start your application today and join us in making a meaningful impact.

Job Title: Refuge Worker

Location: This is an onsite role, located within the London Borough of Hounslow, there may be a requirement to occasionally work in the London Borough of Hillingdon.
Salary: £28, 857.12 per annum (Inclusive of London Weighting, which may not be applicable depending on your home location)

Contract type: Full Time, Fixed Term Contract (Until March 2027)

Hours: 37.5 hours

We want kind and empathic people to work at Refuge, who believe in equality, diversity, and inclusion, are experts in their area of knowledge, want to make a positive difference and improve the lives of the women and children we support.

This is an opportunity to join Refuge as a Refuge Worker to provide high quality practical and emotional support to survivors of domestic violence and their children living in our refuges. This includes safety planning and enabling women to access housing, welfare, benefits, and legal advice. A key requirement is to provide personal welfare support and to ensure that women are provided with a safe, supportive, and welcoming environment in accordance with Refuge’s philosophical principles. 

As part of this role, you will be required to participate in an out-of-hours on call rota

This post is restricted to women due to the nature of the role. The Occupational Requirement under Schedule 9 (part 1) of the Equality Act 2010 applies.

Closing Date: 09:00am 20 March 2026

Iterview Dates: 6 and 7 April 2026

We are recruiting: Housing Officer & Support Worker. 

Location: Telford & Wrekin – onsite only 

Hours: 36, 32 & 18 hr posts available (Please indicate preference when applying) 

Salary: £13.60 p/h (reviewed in April) 

Contract: Permanent 

The role 

Stay is a Telford based charity that supports people experiencing homelessness by providing a range of supported accommodation and tailored support services. Its aim is to help individuals reach their potential and progress toward longer term housing solutions that promote positive wellbeing and healthy lifestyles. 

As a Housing Officer & Support Worker, you will play a vital role in delivering intensive housing management and personalised support to people from diverse backgrounds. Using strength based and Trauma Informed Practice, you will ensure each person receives the guidance they need. You will offer a warm welcome to new tenants as they begin their journey with Stay, ensuring they feel informed, safe, and comfortable in their new environment. Through choice led planning, you will support tenants to work toward their housing aspirations and achieve their personal goals. 

What you need 

A full, valid UK driving licence 

A vehicle insured for business use 

An enhanced DBS check (cost covered by Stay) 

What we offer you 

We offer a friendly, supportive, and flexible working environment where your contribution is valued. You’ll benefit from: 

✅ 25 days annual leave plus 8 bank holidays (enhancements for length of service) 

✅ Birthday off following completion successful probationary period 

✅ Regular supervision and guidance 

✅ Access to our Employee Assistance Programme providing GP access and wellbeing support 

✅ Pension scheme 

✅ Eligible for a Blue Light Card discount scheme 

✅ Fully funded training and continuous development 

This role requires regular in-person engagement in London. Applicants must be able to travel to and work in London easily.

About us

SurvivorsUK exists for men, boys and non-binary people who have experienced any form of sexual violence. 

We support – by providing services such as a helpline, counselling, ISVA and groupwork.
We challenge – by raising public awareness of the issue, and dispelling myths
We build – by creating and facilitating networks for better access to help

Role

In this exciting role, you will provide pro–active emotional, practical information, advice and advocacy support for male and non-binary survivors who have experienced any form of sexual violence.

As our Sexual Violence Caseworker, you will ensure survivors are aware of their social welfare rights, options and entitlements and assist them in accessing key services such as social services, housing, and benefit agencies.

Please see attached Job Description and Personal Specification for more information.

Benefits of Working with Us

- We are a Disability Confident Employer
- Access to Employee Assistance Programme
- Access to Clinical Supervision, if relevant for your role
- Acces to gym at our Hackney Wick offices
- Commitment to your professional development

How to apply

To express an interest in the role and to be considered, please review our JD and Personal Spec and submit the following:

• An up-to-date CV.
• A supporting statement that addresses each of the requirements in the person specification and outlines your motivations for applying.

Closing date: Sunday 22nd March 2026 at 11.30pm
Shortlisting for Interviews: Week beginning the 6th of May. The interview will be held remotely via Teams or Zoom.

We especially encourage applications from individuals who reflect the diversity of the communities we serve, including men, non-binary, Black and Asian, trans, disabled people, and those from other marginalised groups. We recognise and value the unique experiences that arise from the intersections of these identities, and we particularly welcome applications from people with lived experience or a strong understanding of the issues faced by our service users.

At SurvivorsUK, we are committed to creating an inclusive and supportive work environment where everyone is empowered to bring their full, authentic selves to work. We also understand the importance of work-life balance and are open to discussing flexible working arrangements, including job share opportunities, to support candidates with caregiving responsibilities or other needs.

If you require any adjustments during the recruitment process or have any accessibility needs, please let us know. We are here to provide any support necessary to ensure the process is inclusive for you.

Hours: 35 hours per week 
Contract: Fixed term to March 2027 
Location: Hybrid, with regular travel across Hastings & St Leonards 
Reports to: Citadel Coordinator – Hastings 

About Housing Justice 

Housing Justice brings communities together to tackle homelessness by building personal connections, fostering belonging, and working for justice in the housing system. We train and support volunteers to provide personalised assistance that helps people access accommodation, navigate services, and rebuild stability. 

We welcome applications from all sections of the community and recognise the value of lived experience of homelessness. 

About Citadel and your role 

Citadel is a volunteer-powered homelessness prevention project supporting people experiencing, or at risk of, homelessness to settle into a home, sustain their tenancy, and feel part of a supportive community. 

Since 2020, Citadel has expanded across Wales and England. 

This is an exciting opportunity for a proactive, compassionate and solutions-focused individual who believes in the power of community to end homelessness, to be part of our growing community project in Hastings. 

As our support worker, you will work alongside the Citadel Coordinator and our volunteers, to provide short-term, intensive support to individuals with complex needs, helping them overcome barriers to resettlement and tenancy sustainment.

You will use a trauma-informed, person-centred approach to help individuals build confidence, independence and lasting stability. 

The role will require skills in support and advocacy, partnership working, and community building. For more information, please see the attached job description.

We are seeking a forward‑thinking leader with a track record in changing organisations that have a good and loyal team in place with a commitment to our mission and values, and the imagination to explore new ways of meeting local needs. A track record of fundraising in the charity sector is needed. Whether you come with a background from the advice sector, the wider charity world, or another relevant field, if you have the vision and drive to steer CAEW into the future, we would love to hear from you.

Grade 3 - £36,624 per annum including £5,023 London Weighting allowance 

Fixed term Contract until the end of November 2026 

Full Time: 35 hours per week 

London Hub based in Old Street

Closing date: Wednesday 18th March 2026 at 11:30pm

We are looking for someone who is proactive and empathetic with experience and knowledge of housing and homelessness advice and working with vulnerable families. Join Shelter as a Housing Rights Worker and you will soon be playing a key part in standing up to the housing emergency. 

About the role

As a Housing Rights Worker, you will deliver high quality housing advice and advocacy to individuals and families with the ultimate aim of helping them thrive in their communities. Your work will be in line with London Hub’s priorities of improving the practice of local authorities and Registered Social Landlords and focussing on households disproportionately affected by the housing emergency. Working alongside people who are experiencing homelessness and bad housing to identify issues facing local communities, you will deliver casework to families to resolve their housing situation as well as engaging with community groups, local organisations and individuals to understand and address the housing issues in East London. 

In your community work you will ensure that people with lived experience of homelessness have opportunities to share their stories, give their views and have their say in the design and delivery of Shelter services. Offering day to day support to volunteers, providing learning, shadowing and mentoring and being a consistent role model for our values are also key aspects of the role.

About you

You will have demonstrable experience of working with families and vulnerable people and/or people with multiple and complex needs, within a safeguarding framework. You have experience and knowledge of housing and homelessness advice and advocacy and are able to carry out casework related interviews, maintain detailed case records, advise and support your clients to make informed decisions. You are able to communicate clearly to a variety of audiences and collaborate with others to get the job done.

Benefits

We offer a wide range of benefits, including 30 days of annual leave, enhanced family friendly policies, pension and interest free travel loans. Our employees also have access to a tenancy deposit loan, payroll giving, cycle to work scheme and an employee assistance programme.

About Shelter

Home is a human right. It’s our foundation and where we thrive. Yet every day millions of people are being devastated by the housing emergency.

We exist to defend the right to a safe home. Because home is everything.

We need ambitious, passionate people to join us. This is your chance to play a part in the fundamental change we are striving to achieve.

Our enemy is the social injustice at the core of the escalating housing emergency. To win this fight, we must be representative of the people we are here to help and those who support our movement. In all our people decisions, we take pride in being inclusive, equitable and transparent. We are committed to combating racism both within and outside Shelter. We welcome you on our journey to becoming truly anti-racist.

About the team

Our London hub specialises in providing housing advice and emergency homelessness work, intensive support to families and individuals, people experiencing domestic abuse and people experiencing multiple disadvantage. We provide front line support to over 5,000 people a year and work to bring about systemic change with the ultimate aim of people being able to live securely in suitable, safe, affordable homes.

Based in Old Street, the Shelter London Hub services specialises in providing housing advice and emergency homelessness work, intensive support to families, people experiencing domestic abuse, and people experiencing multiple disadvantage, preventing homelessness and helping them to access safe and affordable homes. The team also support the community to address systemic issues that may prevent families or individuals from sustaining a home, providing targeted advice sessions in community settings, with the aim of building capacity within communities to campaign on housing issues.

Safeguarding Statement

Safeguarding is everyone's business. Shelter is committed to protecting the health, wellbeing and human rights of those we support, and enabling them to live free from harm, abuse and neglect. All our staff will be expected to observe professional standards of behaviour and conduct their work in line with our Safeguarding Policies.

How to apply

Please click ‘Apply for Job’ on the advert. You are required to submit a CV and a supporting statement with responses to the following points in the ‘About you’ section of the job description of no more than 350 words each. Please provide specific examples following the STAR format:

• Knowledge and experience of housing and homelessness advice and advocacy and the ability to progress to specialist level knowledge

• Ability to listen to, engage and work with individuals and communities

• Experience of delivering and/or ability to deliver group workshops and presentations

Shelter does not accept unsolicited CVs from external recruitment agencies nor accept the fees associated with them. 

We’re an award-winning charity running local learning centres in the heart of the communities where the young people we support live. Our centres provide a high-impact education programme which includes practical learning support, pastoral care, and motivational and confidence-building activities for young people aged 7-18. Our aim is to enable students from the least advantaged neighbourhoods to realise their ambitions and achieve their wonderful potential.

As the UK’s leading university access organisation, our staff team is helping over 50,000 young people each year at its 44 learning centres and extension projects across England and Scotland, and we plan to scale-up our provision to 50 centres over the coming years.

We are looking for someone who will enjoy working each day with young people and who will thrive in a frontline, community-based, fast-paced and rewarding role. You will be taking up a fixed-term contract as an Education Worker at our
centre in Birmingham.

Location: IntoUniversity Birmingham
Contract: Full-time, fixed-term until August 2026
Applications close: 9am Monday 23rd March 2026
Start date: May 2026

Salary

£28,250 per annum

What could my day look like?

The Education Worker role is a frontline, fast-paced and rewarding role where no two weeks will look the same. A typical day will have different activities, possibly spread between the IntoUniversity centre, partner schools and the offices of a corporate partner.

In the morning, you might be setting off with resources to run a workshop for sixth-form students in their secondary school. In the afternoon you may be setting up the classroom ahead of running Primary Academic Support for young people in your IntoUniversity centre. On other days, you may be travelling to a corporate partner to run a business simulation workshop for 15 year-olds or leading a group of final year primary school students on a campus visit for their graduation.

As an Education Worker, you’ll always be delivering the programme as part of your centre team, which means that any delivery is always a team effort. 

About the role:

We’re looking for passionate, proactive Young Person’s Workers to join our teams, two in Greenwich and one in Lewisham. This is a hands-on, relationship-focused role where you’ll support young people to move towards stability, independence and long-term opportunity.

You’ll work directly with young people who may be facing housing instability and other challenges, providing personalised, practical support that builds confidence and resilience. Through strengths-based support planning and clear safety plans, you’ll help young people develop essential life skills - from managing a tenancy and budgeting, to accessing education, training and employment. Your role is to help them turn aspirations into achievable steps.

Day to day, you’ll coach and motivate young people to take ownership of their goals, whilst maintaining professional boundaries and managing risk confidently. You’ll work collaboratively with internal colleagues and external partners to ensure each young person has access to the right services at the right time. You’ll keep accurate records, review progress regularly and adapt support to reflect changing needs - always focused on sustainable outcomes.

This role is about more than providing support - it’s about unlocking potential. You’ll be part of a team that believes young people can thrive with the right guidance, encouragement and opportunities. In return, you’ll gain valuable experience in supported housing and youth-focused services, with genuine opportunities to grow your career at Single Homeless Project (SHP).

If you’re motivated by seeing young people succeed and want to play a key role in helping them build independent futures, we’d love to hear from you.

Please note these roles work on a rota, including some weekends and late night working. 

About you:

• You bring experience working with young people in the community and in accommodation services.
• Your toolkit includes practical skills in motivation and coaching young people
• Your approach is creative, analytical, trauma-informed and rooted in a strengths and recovery model.
• You can creatively inspire opportunities for our young people to thrive and to develop to their highest potential.
• A non-judgmental approach to working with young people with complex needs and to promote a strengths-based approach and an understanding of and commitment to Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion.
• Strong team-working and interpersonal skills, maintaining a collaborative approach to supporting young people achieve the outcomes and goals we support them to set for themselves.

About us:

We’re London’s leading homelessness charity – and we get things done.

In a city where hundreds are forced into homelessness every day, our work has never been more needed or more challenging. And we’re not shying away. We’re rolling up our sleeves to make change and helping over 10,000 Londoners every year. We prevent homelessness, provide safe places to live and give people the opportunity to rebuild their lives and transform their futures. And we never give up. 

We’re here for Londoners wherever they are on their journey. We start with trust, building relationships that help people feel safe, supported, and ready to move forward. Every day, we put people first in everything we do, challenging injustice and barriers that keep people from the safety, stability and opportunity they deserve. We stand alongside people as they rebuild and shape a future that feels their own. 

Joining Single Homeless Project means joining a team that’s bold, compassionate and determined to do better for the people we support and for each other. You’ll work alongside colleagues with lived experience, in a space that’s trans-inclusive, disability-friendly, and actively striving to be anti-oppressive and equitable. 

We’re not perfect, but we’re real. We listen. We learn. And we push forward, together. Because this isn’t just a job. It’s a chance to lead with empathy, spark change, and help build a London where no one is left behind.

Important info:

Closing date: Sunday 8th March at midnight

Interview date: Tuesday 17th and 18th March at SHP Head Office in Kings Cross

Please note, suitable candidates will be invited to a second stage interview. 

This post will require an Enhanced DBS check to be processed by SHP for the successful applicant. 

Please note applications are reviewed for AI use in application questions. Applications requiring sponsorship or with insufficient right to work will not be accepted or progressed.