Homeless support worker jobs in kingston upon thames, greater london

As a Support Worker at Ace of Clubs drop-in day centre supporting people who are homeless and facing adversity, you will play a key role in supporting individuals who may be navigating chaotic lifestyles, trauma, and multiple disadvantages. You will provide practical and emotional support, help people access essential services, and work to empower them to move towards independence.

Your role will involve working directly with service users, managing case records, liaising with partner agencies, and contributing to the smooth running of our busy centre. Ultimately, you will support people to overcome barriers, develop essential skills, and build confidence in navigating life challenges and providing advocacy where needed.  In particular, you will be on duty as Support Worker during our busy, daily lunchtime service - responding to the needs of a variety of guests – on a busy day we can reach 150 – 200 guests visiting our service.

In addition, Ace of Clubs works with a wide range of volunteers and partners on a daily basis including food partners, health partners, corporate, individual and client volunteers.  Your role will also be required to support the team in the smooth functioning of these areas, for example liaising with partners on site, showing around volunteers or feeding back any issues during lunch service.

You will also be required to support the Centre Manager with the operations and building’s co-ordination, including carrying out weekly health and safety checks as required, i.e. fire alarm checks, legionella checks etc., meeting onsite contractors, counting and logging cash takings, responding and filtering the central email account and making food and supplies orders. You will be provided with comprehensive training in these areas.

Job Title: Support worker

Location: London Borough of Tower Hamlets

Salary: £28,808.00 per annum 

Hours: Hours: 40 hours per week

Contract: Permanent

PRHA is a great place to work – Our award-winning teams work together to improve the lives of our residents and make a real contribution to ending homelessness. As an IIP Gold standard employer, we value our staff and commit to develop their skills and support them in their important work.

We have an exciting opportunity for Support Workers  within two of our specialist  services. We are looking for self-starters with a passion for sparking change in people’s lives. You will have the necessary skillset to empower people and support residents to achieve their goals.

PRHA hostels guarantee a fast-paced, challenging and dynamic environment where no two days are ever the same. We are seeking motivated and energetic individuals to join our teams and help our residents to change their lives for the better.

We are looking for:

Competencies

• Knowledge, empathy, understanding and proven ability to work creatively and engage homeless people whose alcohol/ drug misuse/ mental health/ complex trauma has had significant effect on their physical and mental health, social and coping skills .
• Ability to assess needs, risks (within a framework of positive risk taking) and develop user led support plans.
• Awareness of and ability to identify and address health and care issues with partners, especially substance misuse, mental health, dementia etc.
• Ability to respond to challenging behaviour in a safe way.
• Ability to develop successful professional relationships, working collaboratively with external and internal partners , sharing expertise and learning from colleagues in health, social care,probation and voluntary sector etc
• Knowledge of and commitment to service user involvement, self empowerment, equalities, diversity andservice improvement
• Basic understanding of the principals of delivering support within a Psychologically Informed Environment (PIE) and commitment to working within this model
• Robust knowledge and practical application of adult safeguarding requirements.
• Knowledge and understanding of Healthand Safety in a hostel setting, including dealing with emergencies and working alone.
• A good listener and communicator at all levels, including people with communication difficulties
• A good standard of literacy, numeracy, computer skills and the ability to write accurate and succinct reports.
• Proven ability both to work within a team and use initiative to problem solve.
• Excellent time management skills
• Willingness and ability to support personal care where the service user is at risk
• Ability to implement policies and procedures,standing orders and financial regulations

What we offer

We offer our staff a generous benefits package, which includes:

• Pension Scheme – We offer a group stakeholder pension scheme with 3% employer's contribution, employee contribution is 5%
• Holidays - Employees receive up to 22 days annual leave plus bank holidays rising with long service
• Medical – we provide a “Cash Back" Scheme for a range of services such as dental, physio, chiropody, health& wellbeing
• Training Programmes – We provide comprehensive training to our employees to enable them to grow in their career and achieve their professional aspirations.
• Season Ticket Loans – We offer interest-free season ticket loans after successful probation
• Life Assurance - Upon death whilst in service, a Death in Service payment may be made according to the scheme rules. The payment covers 3 times of the employee’s annual salary.

How to apply

Please read the full Job Description & Person Specification which can be found on our website. To apply, please send your CV and Supporting Statement outlining your interest in working for PRHA and explaining how you meet the criteria set out in the Job Description & Person Specification. Please send your CV and Supporting Statement by clicking the Apply Now button. Furthermore, applications with no attached personal statement explaining how you meet the job description will not be considered.

It is required for this post that the successful candidates will have to complete an enhanced DBS disclosure check.

We're Hiring: Play & Youth Work Lead | Doorstep Homeless Families Project

Location: North London

Salary: £28,000 - £31,000 per annum.

Hours: 28 Hours per week - 20 hours face to face and 8 hours for admin

Benefits:

• Pension scheme with an employer contribution of 5% of gross salary
• 30 days paid holiday

The hours onsite will be worked over Monday, Tuesday Thursday and Friday, with normal working hours falling between 9.30am ( the earliest start) and 8pm (the latest finish).

Job Introduction

At Doorstep, we open more than just doors — we open possibilities.

Every day, we stand alongside families experiencing homelessness, providing a safe, welcoming space within a large family hostel where children can play, learn, and simply be themselves.

We are looking for a passionate and creative Lead Play and Youth Worker to guide and inspire our work with children and young people aged 0–18. This is a special role — one that blends leadership, imagination, and empathy. You will manage a small, dedicated team, shaping and delivering play and youth activities that bring light, laughter, and a sense of belonging to children whose early experiences have often been marked by instability.

At Doorstep, relationships are at the heart of everything we do. We work with families over years, not weeks — building trust, celebrating progress, and helping each young person discover their strengths. Our unique model of support is widely respected and deeply valued, and this role offers the chance to make a genuine, lasting difference in young lives.

If you are someone who believes in the power of play, creativity, and care to transform childhoods — we would love to hear from you.

About the Role

As Lead Play and Youth Worker at Doorstep, you’ll be at the heart of our mission — creating moments of joy, stability, and growth for children and young people who are living through uncertain times. No two days are the same. One moment you might be leading an energetic after-school club session; the next, you’re supporting teens to express themselves through art, music, or discussion.

You’ll manage and inspire a small, talented team of play and youth workers, ensuring that every activity we offer — whether it’s creative play, learning support, or outdoor adventure — reflects Doorstep’s core values of respect, belonging, and hope. You’ll plan and deliver programmes across all age groups (0–18 years), adapting to the needs and interests of children and young people as they grow.

Collaboration is central to this role. You’ll work closely with families, colleagues, and partner organisations to provide continuity and care, helping to make Doorstep a place where children feel seen, valued, and free to thrive.

This is not just a leadership role — it’s an opportunity to build something lasting. Your creativity, empathy, and commitment will help shape the next chapter of Doorstep’s play and youth work, ensuring that every child who walks through our doors is met with warmth, opportunity, and care.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership and Team Management

• Lead, supervise, and support a small team of play and youth workers and volunteers.
• Provide regular supervision, guidance, and professional development opportunities to team members.
• Foster a positive, inclusive, and collaborative working environment that reflects Doorstep’s values.

Programme Planning and Delivery

• Design, plan, and deliver a varied programme of play, creative, and youth activities for children and young people aged 0–18 years.
• Ensure all activities are engaging, developmentally appropriate, and responsive to the needs and interests of participants.
• Encourage children and young people to express themselves, build confidence, and develop positive relationships.
• Plan and oversee trips, events, and holiday programmes, ensuring safety and inclusivity at all times.

Safeguarding and Wellbeing

• To fulfill the statutory responsibilities of Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead.
• Take responsibility for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all children and young people involved in Doorstep’s services.
• Ensure staff and volunteers follow safeguarding procedures and receive appropriate training.
• Respond appropriately to any concerns, working in partnership with relevant agencies where necessary.

Partnership and Family Engagement

• Build positive, trusting relationships with parents, carers, and families, encouraging their involvement in children’s play and learning.
• Work collaboratively with other professionals and partner organisations to enhance support for families.
• Represent Doorstep at relevant meetings, forums, and networks to share best practice and strengthen partnerships.

Monitoring, Evaluation, and Administration

• Maintain accurate records of attendance, participation, and outcomes in line with organisational requirements.
• Contribute to monitoring, evaluation, and reporting processes to demonstrate impact and inform future development.
• Support funding applications and project reports by providing relevant data and case studies.

General Duties

• Uphold Doorstep’s ethos, values, and commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion.
• Contribute to the overall running and development of Doorstep as a small, specialist organisation.
• Undertake any other duties reasonably required to support the effective delivery of Doorstep’s mission.

About You

Experience and Knowledge

• Relevant qualification in playwork, youth work, early years, or a related field (Level 3 or above) or equivalent.
• Significant experience of planning, delivering, and evaluating play and youth activities for children and young people aged 0–18 years.
• Experience of supervising or managing staff and/or volunteers within a play, youth, or community setting.
• Strong understanding of child development and the role of play in supporting wellbeing, resilience, and growth.
• Sound knowledge of safeguarding and child protection policies and procedures.
• Experience of working with families facing disadvantage, housing instability, or other complex challenges.
• Understanding of equality, diversity, and inclusion, and commitment to anti-discriminatory practice.

Skills and Abilities

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build positive relationships with children, young people, parents, and professionals.
• Creative and resourceful approach to planning activities that engage children of different ages and abilities.
• Strong organisational skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities and maintain accurate records.
• Ability to lead, motivate, and support a small team to achieve shared goals.
• Confidence in managing behaviour in a positive, trauma-informed way.
• Competent IT skills for administration, reporting, and communication purposes.

Personal Qualities

• Warm, approachable, and empathetic, with a genuine commitment to improving outcomes for families experiencing homelessness.
• Reliable, flexible, and resilient in the face of challenging circumstances.
• Reflective, open to learning, and committed to professional development.
• Enthusiastic about play and youth work as powerful tools for change and belonging

How to Apply

Please apply with your CV and a covering letter stating why you would like the job and what you believe you can bring to it.

Closing date for applications is Friday 16th January 2026.

Interviews will take place week commencing 2nd February 2026.

About St Peters West Molesey & Bridge the Gap

St Peters West Molesey is one of twelve VCSE partners delivering Surrey’s Changing Futures / Bridge the Gap service. Bridge the Gap supports people experiencing multiple disadvantage—including homelessness, rough sleeping, mental and physical health challenges, substance use, domestic abuse, offending behaviours, and other safeguarding concerns.

Using a holistic, trauma-informed and person-centred approach, we walk side by side with clients to help them stabilise their lives, regain control, and achieve meaningful change.

The Role

We are looking for a compassionate, motivated Bridge the Gap Practitioner to provide intensive outreach support to single people who are rough sleeping, homeless, or at risk of homelessness. Each individual is unique, and your work will reflect their personal goals, strengths, hopes, and aspirations.

You will build trusting relationships, co-produce person-centred plans (“My Story, Strengths and Hopes”), and offer practical, emotional, and advocacy support. Alongside system partners and multi-agency teams, you’ll help clients access the services they need to move towards stability and wellbeing.

This role includes reflective practice and clinical supervision with our resident Clinical Psychologist, ensuring your own wellbeing is prioritised.

Key Responsibilities

Engagement & Support

• Build relationships with people who are rough sleeping, homeless, or at risk of homelessness

• Provide intensive, flexible outreach support

• Develop co-produced, person-centred support plans

• Support clients to improve physical and mental wellbeing

• Assist with life skills: budgeting, tenancy sustainment, accessing services, education, employment, community living

• Accompany clients to appointments and services (“walking shoulder to shoulder”)
   

Housing & Practical Support

• Work towards securing and sustaining stable accommodation

• Support clients with benefits, daily living tasks, and referrals to specialist services

• Coordinate multi-agency involvement based on client needs
   

Safety, Risk, and Compliance

• Complete and implement positive risk assessments

• Assess client safety and welfare on an ongoing basis

• Maintain accurate, timely case notes and database records

• Follow all St Peters West Molesey and Bridge the Gap policies

• Contribute to a safe, respectful service environment
   

Professional Practice

• Manage your own caseload and workload

• Attend weekly one-to-one meetings and provide activity updates

• Participate in group supervision and reflective practice

• Work collaboratively with internal and external partners

• Keep up to date with organisational and service developments
   

About You

You’ll be someone who is passionate about tackling poverty, supporting those facing multiple disadvantage, and working in a trauma-informed, compassionate way.

Required

• Degree-level qualification or equivalent experience

• Experience supporting and motivating people from diverse backgrounds

• Experience working/volunteering with adults facing disadvantage

• Confident managing challenging behaviours, conflict, or distress

• Able to plan, prioritise, and organise workload effectively

• Experience with dynamic risk management and accurate record-keeping

• Computer literate (email, documents, spreadsheets, online systems)
   

Desirable

• Qualification in mental health, counselling, or community support

• Experience in community development or poverty reduction

• Experience coordinating referrals and raising safeguarding concerns

• Clean driving licence
   

Key Skills & Attributes

• Empathy, compassion, and emotional resilience

• Ability to work independently and unsupervised

• Adaptability to changing client needs

• Strong advocacy and motivational skills

• Honesty, integrity, and alignment with St Peters West Molesey’s mission and values
   

What We Offer

• Thorough induction and trauma-informed training

• Regular supervision and reflective practice with a Clinical Psychologist

• The opportunity to make a profound difference in the lives of people with multiple disadvantages

• A supportive, values-driven team culture

Salary: £29,000 – £34,000 per annum (depending on experience)
Location: Reigate, Surrey (Wayside Community)
Contract: Full-time
Occupational Requirement: Female, practising Christian
Closing Date: 23rd December 2025
Start Date: Early February 2026 (notice periods considered)

Do you have the compassion, resilience and leadership potential to support women on their journey out of 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 Southwest of England.

We are seeking a dedicated Deputy Manager to join our specialist women’s homelessness service, Wayside Community in Reigate. This community is a 19 bed, 24-7 supported housing for women experiencing homelessness. This is an excellent opportunity for someone with strong frontline experience who is ready to step into management within a highly supportive and mission-driven team.

About the Role
The Deputy Manager plays a key role in the leadership of Wayside Community, supporting the Women’s Homelessness Lead in the day-to-day running and development of the service.

Key responsibilities include:

• Assisting the Women’s Homelessness Lead in Surrey in ensuring the smooth daily running of the Service at all times and deputising in her absence for all matters relating to the management of the Service.
• Ensure that Wayside Community complies with all statutory regulations relating to supported housing, health and safety, fire precautions etc.
• Working with the Women’s Homelessness Lead to develop performance targets and quality control measures for the benefit of the team, and monitoring team members’ work to ensure that these are met.
• In conjunction with the Women’s Homelessness Lead ensure that effective assessments and action plans are updated for all residents through a key worker system and on case files.
• In conjunction with the Women’s Homelessness Lead ensure that all safeguarding concerns, incidents and complaints are managed robustly.

Who We’re Looking For
You will bring:

• A high-performing individual who is an excellent networker that builds effective internal and external working relationships.
• Experience in delivery of support to clients.
• Agrees with Keychange mission, vision, values.
• Strong leadership, problem-solving, interpersonal, and time-management skills.
• Competent computer skills using Microsoft applications and organisational systems.

Desirable experience includes:

• Prior experience working with non-profit organisations, particularly those involved in social care and/or homeless work.
• Experience of services for women and/or young people experiencing homelessness.
• Experience of motivating and empowering colleagues, staff and/or volunteers to take responsibility for delivering a high-quality service.
• Knowledge of the range of services available to homeless people who may have complex needs or other support needs.

Occupational Requirements
This role is subject to legal Occupational Requirements under the Equality Act 2010. The postholder must both a woman and a practicing Christian. These requirements are essential due to the nature of the role, including spiritual support, trauma-informed care for women, and active church partnership development.

What We Offer

• Salary of £29,000 – £34,000
• 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 compassionate, faith-centered, values-driven culture

For more comprehensive details about the role and how to get in contact with us for an informal discussion about the opportunity, please view the job pack for 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.
 

Recruitment Timeline

• Application deadline: 23rd December 2025
• First stage interviews (remote): First week January 2025
• Final interviews (in person): Mid-January 2026
• Start date: Early February 2026

Salary: £37,000 – £41,000 per annum (depending on experience)
Location: Reigate, Surrey (with some hybrid working)
Contract: Full-time
Occupational Requirement: Female, practising Christian
Closing Date: 23rd December
Start Date: Early February (notice periods considered)

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 Women’s Homelessness Lead (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
• Represent Keychange externally and explore opportunities for future service growth

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
• 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 Requirements
This role is subject to legal Occupational Requirements under the Equality Act 2010. The postholder must both a woman and a practicing Christian. These requirements are essential due to the nature of the role, including spiritual support, trauma-informed care for women, and active church partnership development.

What We Offer

• Salary of £37,000 – £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-centered, 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.

Recruitment Timeline

• Application deadline: 23rd December 2025
• First stage interviews (remote): First week January 2025
• Final interviews (in person): Mid-January 2026
• Start date: Early February 2026

Make a real difference in the lives of asylum seekers and newly recognised refugees! Join New Citizens’ Gateway as an Outreach Project Manager and lead the delivery of vital frontline support to people residing in temporary accommodation across five hotels in Barnet. You will oversee a dedicated outreach team working to reduce isolation, improve wellbeing, and empower individuals seeking asylum.

We offer a supportive working environment with excellent benefits including:

• 6% employer pension contribution
• 35 days annual leave (including bank holidays)
• Ongoing training and professional development opportunities

New Citizens’ Gateway (NCG) is an independent, registered charity working to reduce health inequalities, combat social exclusion and poverty, and support the integration and independence of refugees and asylum seekers.

We are seeking a highly motivated and experienced Outreach Project Manager to lead our outreach service. This role is responsible for managing outreach staff, coordinating support across multiple hotel sites, ensuring compliance with safeguarding and quality standards, and providing specialist guidance to the team on complex client issues.

The successful candidate will have at least two years’ project management experience and direct experience supporting refugees and asylum seekers, with strong communication and organisational skills. Ability to speak a community language is desirable.

New Citizens’ Gateway is committed to equality, diversity, and creating a workplace that values lived experience. We welcome applications from people of refugee background and others with direct experience of the issues our clients face.

Closing date: 04/01/2026Interview date: 08/01/2026 (please keep this date free)