Entry level jobs for the Housing and Homelessness sector

37 hours per week / Permanent / Monday - Friday, 09:00 - 17:00 / Hybrid working - a minimum of three days on site per week, with up to two days working from home.

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.

The Impact and Improvement Team provides leadership on business improvement and assurance of service delivery - including quality, performance, and outcomes for children and young people. The team ensures that data and reporting meet statutory and regulatory compliance requirements, while also overseeing critical functions such as data protection, complaints, and whistleblowing.

The team is additionally responsible for driving the organisation’s digital transformation agenda. Through the work of the Digital Systems Project Manager and the Data & Performance Lead, the team leads strategic projects aimed at improving data quality and developing systems that support the needs of an increasingly digital organisation.

The Data and Systems Support Officer is an exciting new role created to help our colleagues access and use information with greater confidence and ease, enabling them to deliver the best possible services. By supporting colleagues across the organisation, this role will make data feel more approachable, reliable, and genuinely useful in day‑to‑day work.

You will play a key role in supporting data activity across the organisation, working closely with and learning from the Data & Performance Lead. They will contribute to essential reporting and analysis, offer practical support to non‑technical colleagues facing data challenges, and produce clear insight summaries for Deputies, Managers, and Heads of Service. The role includes a defined development pathway, with on‑the‑job learning and system‑administration training delivered by our system partners.

As our processes become increasingly digitalised, this role will strengthen resilience and flexibility within the data function. You will also provide vital internal administrative support for key systems, helping us respond more quickly to user requests and shape ongoing improvements across our digital and data landscape.

If you are enthusiastic about this opportunity but don’t meet every single requirement, we still encourage you to apply. Your skills and experiences may be more transferable than you think, and you could be exactly the person we’re looking for.

We are looking for a someone with a strong understanding of how data supports organisational performance and informs effective decision‑making. Along with a strong attention and a desire to learn analytics, system administration and digital tools in a supportive environment.

You will recognise the value of clear reporting and engaging visualisation in bringing information to life and be genuinely passionate about helping colleagues unlock the potential of digital tools.

You will already have excellent communication skills that enable you to work confidently with a wide range of internal stakeholders, many of whom may not have a technical background. Experience with data handling, reporting tools, Microsoft Excel, Power BI (or equivalent), Salesforce, and SharePoint would be highly advantageous.

CLOSING DATE: Friday 17 April 2026 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 check.

37.5 hours per week / permanent / working onsite / this role operates on a seven‑day rolling rota following a four‑on, four‑off shift pattern. Shifts will include 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, and we build real connections – guide us in all our actions.

Gareth Stacey House and Lansworth House are our 24-hour supported housing services in central Brighton and Hove offering high levels of housing-related support for young people aged 16-25 with multiple and complex needs. The services have 15 and 20 bedspaces respectively, with shared communal facilities; the services support young people to manage their daily living activities in areas including finances and budgeting, developing life and work skills, and managing self-care.

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 are looking for a Housing Night Worker to join our teams across Lansworth House and Gareth Stacey House, working flexibly between both sites to ensure young people are safe.

You will respond promptly to any reported incidents, accidents, or concerns, carrying out thorough checks and taking appropriate action to ensure the safety and wellbeing of everyone on site. You will also take a proactive approach to preventing anti‑social behaviour, working closely with support staff to maintain a positive environment. In addition, you will carry out one‑to‑one interventions with young people who may be experiencing a mental health crisis or who require medical assistance, ensuring they receive timely and appropriate support.

What you will be doing - this is more than a night shift role - it’s an opportunity to make a real difference, working as part of a dedicated team committed to helping young people grow and develop.

Main areas of responsibilities are:

Safety and security

• Provide a friendly, professional presence and ensure the building remains safe, secure and welcoming at night.
• Support resident wellbeing by upholding health and safety procedures, house rules and tenancy requirements.
• Monitor risks and respond to incidents calmly and appropriately, recording and reporting to the relevant teams. 

Resident engagement

• Welcome residents and offer informal, responsive assistance to help them develop confidence, independence and life skills.
• Encourage residents to share their views and engage with available services and opportunities.
• Assist with evening groupwork sessions that promote learning, wellbeing and positive development.

Administration and housekeeping

• Complete essential admin tasks including data entry, case notes and record management.
• Carry out routine health and safety, compliance and room checks.
• Log maintenance issues to ensure the building remains safe and well maintained.

General

• Work collaboratively on a four‑on, four‑off rota, providing consistent, non‑judgemental support overnight.
• Maintain a calm, professional approach and handle challenging situations effectively.
• Take part in ongoing training and reflective practice to support psychologically informed care.

This role involves lone working, so you will need to be confident in decision‑making and in following procedures. However, before joining the rota, you will have the opportunity to get to know the team and services, take part in a full induction, complete the required training, and undertake shadow shifts to ensure you feel confident, supported, and well prepared.

If you are enthusiastic about this opportunity but don’t meet every single requirement, we still encourage you to apply. Your skills and experiences may be more transferable than you think, and you could be exactly the person we are looking for.

About you - this is a dynamic role for someone passionate, empathetic and committed to young people’s development.

Experience and knowledge

• Experience in a customer‑facing role, staying calm and solutions‑focused during challenging situations.
• An understanding of the needs and experiences of young people and adults at risk.
• Awareness of trauma and the ability to work in a strengths‑based, compassionate way.
• Confidence in accurate record‑keeping, including incident logs and health and safety checks.
• Basic safeguarding knowledge and the ability to maintain professional boundaries (training provided).

Skills and abilities

• Clear verbal and written communication, with accurate handovers for day‑time colleagues.
• Strong interpersonal skills, able to build positive relationships.
• Comfortable lone‑working, using initiative, and working as part of a team.
• Competent IT skills, including Microsoft 365 and basic system navigation (training provided).
• Ability to de‑escalate situations and manage challenging behaviour calmly.
• You will bring an awareness of the challenges young people face and the ability to connect with them positively 

CLOSING DATE: Sunday 12 April 2026 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 check.

37.5 hours per week / permanent / working Monday to Friday 9am-5pm.

At YMCA DownsLink Group, our mission is to help children and young people have a fair chance to be who they want to be. We do this by providing a safe home, building life skills and self-confidence, and supporting emotional wellbeing and mental health.

Our Values - we do what’s right, we work with heart, and we build real connections - guide and shape how we show up for children and young people we support and for each other.

Do you take pride in creating safe, welcoming homes that make a real difference in young people’s lives?

Our Maintenance team works across multiple properties to ensure our residents have safe, good‑quality homes. We work closely with service staff to identify and complete repairs, carry out ad hoc cleaning and decoration, ensure compliance with health and safety regulations, and prepare empty homes for new residents.

We operate across West Sussex, centred around our Foyers in Horsham and Crawley, which provide 24‑hour supported housing for young people aged 16–25. We also manage several larger shared houses (typically 4–8 residents) through our Transitional Housing teams, supporting young people on their journey to independence.
In total, the team helps maintain safe homes for approximately 300 residents across the county.

As a Maintenance Worker covering sites across West Sussex, you will take on a hands‑on role combining practical maintenance tasks with caretaking responsibilities. You will help create and maintain safe, welcoming, and psychologically informed accommodation for the people we support.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide a comprehensive maintenance, caretaking, and cleaning service to ensure safe, welcoming, and psychologically informed accommodation.
• Carry out day‑to‑day maintenance across our West Sussex sites, with occasional support to other housing schemes.
• Complete maintenance, cleaning, repair, and redecoration works within agreed timescales, delegating tasks where appropriate.
• Perform or delegate general caretaking and cleaning duties, including cleaning communal areas, litter‑picking, and waste removal.

If you’re excited about this role but your experience doesn’t match every single requirement, we still encourage you to apply. We know that skills and potential come in many forms, and your background may offer valuable transferable strengths.

We’re looking for a someone with a positive, flexible attitude and a genuine desire to contribute to young people’s wellbeing.

Experience and Knowledge

We are searching for someone with:

• Strong maintenance experience across a range of trade or repair tasks, including delivering high‑quality maintenance and decorating work
• Experience working in supported housing, residential, or community‑based settings
• Commitment to maintaining high standards of safety, quality, and resident wellbeing
• Good understanding of health & safety requirements and compliance processes
• A proactive, organised approach to workload and prioritisation

Qualifications and Training (Desirable)

It would be beneficial, though not essential, if you have:

• City & Guilds or equivalent qualification in one or more maintenance skill areas
• Manual handling training
• Training in handling bodily fluids
• Boundaries training
• First Aid training

CLOSING DATE: Sunday 5 April 2026 at midnight. If we find the right candidate sooner than expected, we may close the advert early - so early applications are strongly encouraged.

Please note that we are unable to offer a work permit or visa sponsorship for this role; 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.

22.5 hours per week / permanent / £27,110 per annum, pro rata / working at our central office in Hove, East Sussex (working pattern to be discussed at interview).

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.

We are looking for an Income and Property Administrator to join our Income and Property Management team.

In this role, you will support the effective management of key housing and property functions by maintaining accurate records relating to rent collection, lease and housing management, resident information, and property compliance. You will ensure that all internal systems remain accurate, consistent, and up to date, including:

• Rent and former tenant arrears accounts
• Lease and housing management information
• Resident records
• Property and compliance data

This is a dynamic and collaborative role, working closely with Income Officers to build strong communication links across the service. You will provide essential administrative support with rent arrears cases and liaise with appointed Debt Management Agents where required.

You will be part of a small, dispersed Income team within Housing and Property Services. The team comprises the Income Team Leader, two Rent Officers, a full‑time Income & Property Administrator, and this vacant post.

Working alongside our Supported Housing services, the Income team is responsible for the effective collection of the organisation’s rent and associated property charges, contributing directly to the sustainability and impact of our housing services.

If you are enthusiastic about this opportunity but don’t meet every single requirement, we still encourage you to apply. Your skills and experiences may be more transferable than you think, and you could be exactly the person we’re looking for.

We are looking for an enthusiastic individual who can work both independently and as part of a team. Ideally, you will have experience in a busy and varied administrative role, with strong digital skills and confidence using the Microsoft Office 365 suite.

You will already have experience in a broad administrative position and be competent in using software applications, including MS Office and rent or payment‑related databases. Strong communication skills are essential, as you will be engaging with colleagues and external partners at all levels. You will be self‑motivated, able to use your initiative, and capable of managing and prioritising your workload effectively.

An eye for detail is important, along with demonstrable experience in reconciling data and handling financial information accurately. In addition, you will have a basic understanding of the key risks, challenges, and opportunities faced by young people that may impact their ability to pay rent, as well as a basic awareness of supported housing.

CLOSING DATE: Sunday 12 April 2026 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 check.

About the role

We have two exciting opportunities for Assistant Support Workers (known internally as Duty Worker) to join two of our fantastic services. You can develop valuable skills and experience while playing a key role in providing support to St Mungo’s clients.

Available vacancies: 

1 x Haringey Complex Needs Service, Haringey

1 x Chichester Road Care Home, North Camden

This is a great opportunity to develop your skills in supporting service users with multiple or complex needs including in substance use and mental health. Our aim is to support people who have recently been sleeping rough, or who may be experiencing long term homelessness and work with them to develop the skills, networks and confidence to live independently in the community. 

In these roles you will jointly manage the safe day to day running of the project with other members of the team and provide basic support and advice to clients.

About you 

These are fantastic roles for people looking to develop a career in the sector; a number of current Managers started their career as Duty Workers. In addition you will have: 

• Some experience of dealing directly with the public and/or clients or customers in a busy service environment and good communication skills.

• Personal experience of homelessness and/or an understanding of; and empathy with the issues faced by homeless or vulnerably housed people. 

• A genuine interest in helping vulnerable people to make positive changes in their life, and the willingness to develop these valuable skills. 

We’d always like to hear from people who want to help transform lives. Not sure if you have the skills and experience you need for the role? Apply and we’ll let you know! 

How to apply 

To view the job description and guidance on completing your application form, please click on the ‘document’ tab on the advert page on our website. 

To find out more and apply please go to the St Mungo’s careers page on our website. 

Closing date: 10am on 2nd April 2026 

Interview and assessments on: 15th April 2026 

What we offer 

• Excellent Development and Growth Opportunities

• A Diverse and Inclusive Workplace 

• Great Pay and Other Benefits

Do you have proven administrative experience plus a genuine interest in building a career in the Human resources field? Then join Shelter as a HR Services Administrator and you could soon be playing a pivotal role at the heart of our HR Delivery team.

About Shelter

A home is a fundamental human need, as essential as education or healthcare. Yet millions of people across Britain struggle on a daily basis with homelessness, bad housing conditions, soaring rents, discrimination and the threat of eviction. So, we are striving for change, with individuals, in communities, across society, and leading the way to a safe home. We need ambitious, best-in-class individuals who are passionate about our cause to join us at this exciting time. This is your chance to play a part in the fundamental change we are striving to achieve.

At Shelter we are united by our purpose to defend the right to a safe home. Our enemy is the social injustice at the core of the escalating housing emergency. We believe that to win that fight, we must be representative of the people we are here to help and those who support our movement for change. In all our people decisions, we take pride in being inclusive, fair, equitable and transparent.

We have committed to combat racism both within and outside Shelter and welcome you on our journey to becoming a truly anti-racist organisation.

About the team

Shelter’s HR Delivery team is part of a Strategic Enablement directorate that brings together core support functions such as HR Delivery, Finance, Tech & Data, Governance, Planning and Property. Our role is to partner, support and advise over 1,300 staff on employee relations issues. We also manage restructures and transfers, employee engagement, reward and recognition, staff development and resourcing and payroll processes and ensure effective HR policies and procedures are developed and evaluated.

About the role

As an HR Services Administrator, we’ll rely on you to help the team to deliver a great customer service experience and provide administrative support on HR and Payroll matters to internal and external customers alike. Indeed, you’ll be a key member of the team that’s the first point of contact with HR via our HR enquiries service desk and phoneline, supports employee lifecycle administration and works closely with the payroll team to ensure delivery against key payroll timescales. Answering queries and signposting to the right answers, keeping our Intranet HR Hub up to date with our policies, completing any contracts and other activity associated with changes as notified by Line Managers and processing data within our HR Information System (we use Access PeopleXD) – all are aspects of this interesting and varied role.

Role Specifics

Already with some relevant experience (ideally HR, but we’ll consider other administrative experience too) you have a real commitment to continuous professional development and want to develop your skills and knowledge within the HR area. You’re also motivated to deliver excellence in what you do within a team of like-minded colleagues who are dedicated to providing a timely and excellent people first focused service. Highly organised, with meticulous attention to detail, you have what it takes to manage different workstreams in a fast-paced environment, often with conflicting priorities. Last but not least, you have good office IT skills, including a good working knowledge of Word, Excel and PowerPoint. 

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.

Shelter helps millions of people every year struggling with bad housing or homelessness through our advice, support and legal services. And we campaign to make sure that, one day, no one will have to turn to us for help. We’re here so no one has to fight bad housing or homelessness on their own.

To find out more about the role and the benefits of working for Shelter please visit our website. Apply to be part of our team and be the change you want to see in society.

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.

We are happy to talk about flexible working, personal growth, and to promote a workplace where you can be yourself and achieve success based only on your merit.

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

Do you want to make a difference while benefiting from a schedule that offers unique flexibility in Bristol?

We are looking for 2 Night Workers to join the expansion of the St Mungo’s Bristol Accommodation Service. Ou will be working at Toll House Court in Southville; which is a historic building with 20 supported housing bedspaces for people experiencing homelessness.

The service provides accommodation and housing related support to people who may have complex needs, including multiple challenges such as physical and mental health issues, substance use and a history of trauma. We are dedicated to providing a safe, high quality and inclusive service to people while they are living in the hostel, and a positive move-on into independent housing.

As a Night Worker, you'll offer assistance, conversation, and continuity of care throughout the night, ensuring a safe and supportive environment for residents.

Key Responsibilities:

• Continue support from the day team - engage with residents, offering support and a listening ear.
• Maintain safety protocols, respond to emergencies, and conduct hourly building checks and monitoring issues like noise levels.
• Complete administrative tasks, incident reports and handover notes to the day team.
• You will attend team meetings and training, so you can continue to develop skills and knowledge to ensure confidence in your role.
• Lone work at times when required.

Typical schedule: A flexible night shift rota, including weekends and bank holidays, with shifts from 8/9pm -7.45am. The rota includes working 2 in every 4 weekends.

About you

If you have a willingness to learn how to support people to transform their lives and think you could provide support and interact with clients throughout the night, being passionate about working in a service that supports people experiencing homelessness, we encourage you to apply!

• Good communication skills with the ability to respond and interact with empathy.
• Some experience of dealing directly with the public, clients or customers in a busy service environment.
• Some experience of volunteering or working in an environment that supports vulnerable people.
• Understanding of the issues that affect vulnerable adults experiencing homelessness, who may have complex needs will be beneficial.
• Ability to stay alert, calm, and use own initiative in emergencies.
• Familiarity with IT, administrative procedures and record-keeping.

We believe in the value of lived experience and welcome applications from people who can draw on personal experience (e.g. homelessness, mental health struggles, addiction, abuse, exploitation, time in care or the justice system) to build rapport and support clients within a  recovery focused approach.

How to apply

To view the job description and guidance on completing your application form, please click on the ‘document’ tab on the advert page on our website.

To find out more and apply please go to the St Mungo’s careers page on our website.

Closing date: 10 am on 13 April 2026

Interview and assessments on: 6-8 May 2026

St Mungo's are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace. We strongly encourage applications from all under-represented groups.

What we offer

• Excellent Development and Growth Opportunities
• A Diverse and Inclusive Workplace
• Great Pay and Other Benefits

Want to develop your skills and experience while playing a key role in providing support to people experiencing homelessness in Bristol?

Where you’ll be working

We are looking for 2 Duty Workers to join the expansion of the St Mungo’s Bristol Accommodation Service. Ou will be working at Toll House Court in Southville; which is a historic building with 20 supported housing bedspaces for people experiencing homelessness.

The service provides accommodation and housing related support to people who may have complex needs, including multiple challenges such as physical and mental health issues, substance use and a history of trauma. We are dedicated to providing a safe, high quality and inclusive service to people while they are living in the hostel, and a positive move-on into independent housing.

You will join a dynamic team of managers, day shift and night shift workers, taking part in the renewal of the service, helping us to provide a psychologically-informed environment and a supportive and secure place where our residents can make meaningful life changes.

What you’ll be doing as a Duty Worker

In the rewarding role of Duty Worker, you’ll gain valuable experience working alongside a dedicated team to deliver a safe, inclusive, and high-quality service. You’ll be the first point of contact at reception, helping create a welcoming and supportive environment. Your responsibilities will include:

• Supporting the day-to-day running of the project.
• Managing reception duties, including phones, access, and basic client support.
• Maintaining communal and office spaces.
• Coordinating health & safety checks and admin tasks.
• Providing person-centred support to residents.

Working hours

You will work full time on-site on a 7‑day rolling rota, including early shifts from 7:30am, late shifts until around 10pm, bank holidays, and two extended weekend shifts in every six. Some roles also offer a 20% pay premium for hours worked between 8pm–8am Monday to Friday, and for all weekend hours.

About You
This is a brilliant opportunity if you're looking to grow your career in the sector, many of our current managers began as Duty Workers, so why not take that first step?

We’d love to hear from you if you bring:

• Great communication skills and some experience providing a service to others - whether in retail, hospitality, care, or community work you’ll be able to engage with people in a busy environment.
• Empathy and understanding of the challenges faced by people experiencing homelessness.
• A genuine interest in supporting vulnerable women to make positive changes in their lives.
• Solid organisational skills, with basic IT and admin capability.
• A proactive attitude and a willingness to learn and grow.

We believe in the value of lived experience and welcome applications from people who can draw on personal experience (e.g. homelessness, mental health struggles, addiction, abuse, exploitation, time in care or the justice system) to build rapport and support clients within a  recovery focused approach.

How to apply

To view the job description and guidance on completing your application form, please click on the ‘document’ tab on the advert page on our website.

To find out more and apply please go to the St Mungo’s careers page on our website.

Closing date: 10 am on 7 April 2026

Interview and assessments on: 28-30 April 2026

St Mungo's are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace. We strongly encourage applications from all under-represented groups.

What we offer

• Excellent Development and Growth Opportunities
• A Diverse and Inclusive Workplace
• Great Pay and Other Benefits

SMART CJS – Trust and Foundations Bid Writer

Role Overview

Are you committed to supporting people who are homeless or rough sleeping?

Are you proactive with a positive attitude?

Job Title: Trust and Foundations Bid Writer (with some responsibility for corporate fundraising)

The salary will be in the range of £36,000 to £42,000.

Hours: 37 hours per week

Term: Permanent

Location: Working from our office in central Bedford, with some provision for remote working.

About SMART CJS

Founded in 1997, we are a charity that provides safe spaces for people who are facing or experiencing homelessness, are rough sleeping or have fallen on tough times. As times have changed, our services have adapted and grown, but we’ve always kept the people we support at the centre of all that we do. We believe that everyone needs a little help sometimes and, with trust, respect and honesty, people can make incredible changes. Our vision is to transform communities so that everyone has the opportunity to achieve their fullest potential, participate in and contribute to all aspects of life. Our mission is to provide safe spaces to work with vulnerable people within our communities, empowering them to make positive changes and take control of their lives.

Why Join Us?

We believe in diversity and inclusion. We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds.

Benefits include:

• 27 days Annual Leave (rising to 30 after 3 years) + Bank Holidays (pro rata)
• Generous Pension scheme (after successfully completing a probation period)
• Excellent Development and Growth Opportunities
• Access to a Charity Worker Discount scheme
• Access to the company health and wellbeing service including support with mental health, legal advice and more
• Access to an online GP service

We require all staff and volunteers to be committed to safeguarding and to respond proactively to safeguarding concerns. Successful applicants are required to undertake an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). This job description will be supplemented by annual objectives which will be developed in conjunction with the post holder.

The Role

SMART CJS is looking to recruit a Trusts and Foundations Bid Writer. The successful candidate will also have some responsibility for corporate fundraising with businesses based in Bedford and beyond; this responsibility will be shared with our Community and Corporate Fundraiser.

The main responsibility, though, will be to generate income by writing bids to charitable trusts and foundations, and to statutory funders.

The role will include researching and identifying charity trusts and similar bodies which are able to make an award to SMART. It will also include keeping abreast of developments in fundraising in the charity sector as a whole, especially in the field of grant awarding and, to a lesser extent, of corporate giving.

There will be a probationary period for the role. As it generally takes six months for a grant to be awarded (though some arrive more quickly), the probationary period will need to be for a minimum of seven months, though its precise duration can be negotiated with the successful candidate.

Training will be given; the scope of the training will depend on the candidate’s previous experience.

This is an exciting opportunity to join SMART’s friendly and dedicated team. You’ll need to be able to manage your time effectively; the role is primarily self-directed. We envisage that you’ll be working primarily from our offices in Prebend Street, Bedford, though you'll be able to work from home for some of the time as well. Given the nature of our work, personal resilience is important; some of the stories we use when applying for funding can be emotionally challenging.

Our fundraising comes from regular gifts, donations from the community (individuals and groups), and corporate bodies (businesses). The majority of our fundraising income comes from grants. There will be a realistic target for the amount you need to raise; this will reflect the performance for grant applications in the charity sector as a whole and it will not be unrealistic. Fundraising is not an exact science; the assessment of performance against the targets will be fair and reasonable. The final responsibility for SMART’s fundraising rests with the trustees; they appreciate and understand the complexity of the issues involved.

Main Purpose of the Role

You will work closely with the CEO, the Chair of Trustees, the Head of Business and the fundraising team. The post involves gathering information, writing the bids, tracking the progress of submissions, and reporting back to grant awarders on how their money has been spent, if they require this.

There will also be a responsibility for corporate fundraising. This will involve building relationships with businesses in and beyond the Bedford area. The responsibility for this will be shared with our Community and Corporate Fundraiser.

Key Responsibilities

Fundraising and Bid Writing

• Research and identify suitable grant and funding opportunities from charitable trusts, foundations, and statutory bodies.
• Write and submit high-quality funding applications and proposals in line with SMART’s strategic priorities.
• Work collaboratively with service leads and front line teams to gather accurate, up-to-date data and service information for applications.
• Tailor the applications to the funder’s criteria, using storytelling effectively.
• Manage a pipeline of applications and submissions, ensuring deadlines are met and income targets are tracked.
• Maintain and build relationships with key funders, providing timely reports and updates on grant-funded work.
• Work to realistic targets and be able to provide feedback on these.
• Organisational Development and Support
• Contribute to the strategic development of SMART’s income generation plans.
• Support development of strong internal bid and grant management systems.
• Monitor success rates and provide monthly reporting on funding performance to the Head of Business and to the Chair of Trustees.
• Represent SMART CJS at funding briefings, webinars, and networking opportunities where appropriate.

Other Responsibilities

• Participate in SMART’s performance management and appraisal process.
• Attend the monthly meetings of the Fundraising Committee (a sub‑committee of the Board of Trustees).
• Comply with health and safety policies and procedures.
• Undertake any other duties commensurate with the role, as required by the CEO, the Head of Business or the Chair of Trustees.

Person Specification

Whether you’re already an experienced bid-writer, or whether you think this is something that you could learn to do effectively, we’d like to hear from you. You need to have excellent skills in written English and be able to write in prose that’s clear and readily understandable to the general reader. The criteria for each grant awarder are different; you need to be able to match your bid to what they would like to fund (homelessness, mental health, relief of poverty, women’s issues and so on). You need, then, to tell SMART’s story in a way which appeals to each funder.

You need to have excellent inter-personal skills and be able to work as part of a team. While there is a strong element of self-direction in the role, you need to be able to work closely with senior management and also with the trustees; the trustees have the final responsibility for fundraising in the charity.

You will need, too, to have a commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion, and to have a genuine interest in homelessness and the work of the charity, and a commitment to improving our clients’ lives and wellbeing.

37.5 hours per week / permanent / working onsite / this role operates on a seven-day rolling rota following a four-on, four-off shift pattern. Shifts will include evenings, weekends and bank holidays. Working hours are either 8pm to 7am or 9pm to 8am and are subject to ongoing review.

At YMCA DownsLink Group,is to help children and young people have a fair chance to be who they want to be. We do this by providing a safe home, building life skills and self-confidence, and supporting emotional wellbeing and mental health.

Our Values - we do what’s right, we work with heart, and we build real connections - guide and shape how we show up for children and young people we support and for each other.

We are looking for a Housing Night Worker to join ourservices. In this role, you will help ensure the safety, security and wellbeing of our residents by providing a friendly and reassuring presence within the service at night. You will manage challenging situations calmly and professionally, while keeping essential administrative tasks and housekeeping duties running smoothly.

Our OLYP services delivers specialist 24-hour supported accommodation where young people are supported to acquire the necessary skills in preparation for living independently, safely explore their increased freedom of choice and develop responsibilities associated with adulthood, whilst still having the appropriate level of support from an experienced team. 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 and relationship building.

What you will be doing

This is more than a night shift role - it’s an opportunity to make a real difference, working as part of a dedicated team committed to helping young people grow and develop.

Main areas of responsibilities are:

Safety and security

• Provide a friendly, professional presence and ensure the building remains safe, secure and welcoming at night.
• Support resident wellbeing by upholding health and safety procedures, house rules and tenancy requirements.
• Monitor risks and respond to incidents calmly and appropriately, recording and reporting to the relevant teams. 

Resident engagement

• Welcome residents and offer informal, responsive assistance to help them develop confidence, independence and life skills.
• Encourage residents to share their views and engage with available services and opportunities.
• Assist with evening groupwork sessions that promote learning, wellbeing and positive development.

Administration and housekeeping

• Complete essential admin tasks including data entry, case notes and record management.
• Carry out routine health and safety, compliance and room checks.
• Log maintenance issues to ensure the building remains safe and well maintained.

General

• Work collaboratively on a four-on, four-off rota, providing consistent, non-judgemental support overnight.
• Maintain a calm, professional approach and handle challenging situations effectively.
• Take part in ongoing training and reflective practice to support psychologically informed care.

This role involves lone working, so you will need to be confident in decision-making and in following procedures. However, before joining the rota, you will have the opportunity to get to know the team and services, take part in a full induction, complete the required training, and undertake shadow shifts to ensure you feel confident, supported, and well prepared.

If you are enthusiastic about this opportunity but don’t meet every single requirement, we still encourage you to apply. Your skills and experiences may be more transferable than you think, and you could be exactly the person we are looking for.

About You

A dynamic role for someone passionate, empathetic and committed to young people’s development.

Experience and knowledge

• Experience in a customer-facing role, staying calm and solutions-focused during challenging situations.
• An understanding of the needs and experiences of young people and adults at risk.
• Awareness of trauma and the ability to work in a strengths-based, compassionate way.
• Confidence in accurate record-keeping, including incident logs and health and safety checks.
• Basic safeguarding knowledge and the ability to maintain professional boundaries (training provided).

Skills and abilities

• Clear verbal and written communication, with accurate handovers for day-time colleagues.
• Strong interpersonal skills, able to build positive relationships.
• Comfortable lone-working, using initiative, and working as part of a team.
• Competent IT skills, including Microsoft 365 and basic system navigation (training provided).
• Ability to de-escalate situations and manage challenging behaviour calmly.
• You will bring an awareness of the challenges young people face and the ability to connect with them positively 

CLOSING DATE: Sunday 29 March 2026 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 check.

37 hours per week / £32,565 per annum / fixed-term Maternity cover (12 Months) / working Monday - Thursday 9.00-1700, Friday 9.00-16.30.

At YMCA DownsLink Group,is to help children and young people have a fair chance to be who they want to be. We do this by providing a safe home, building life skills and self-confidence, and supporting emotional wellbeing and mental health.

Our Values - we do what’s right, we work with heart, and we build real connections - guide and shape how we show up for children and young people we support and for each other.

YMCA is our specialist project supporting children and young people across Sussex and Surrey who are affected by, or at risk of, exploitation. Through education, awareness-raising and empowerment, we help young people understand healthy relationships, recognise harmful behaviours, and build safety and resilience.

We now have an exciting opportunity to join our WiSE team as a Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) Practitioner. In this vital role, you will work alongside the Service manager, an Early Intervention worker, and two experienced Practitioners. You will be co-located with the Exploitation team at Guildford Police Station, working collaboratively with partner agencies to support young people and contribute to multi-agency safeguarding responses.

The role involves a significant amount of lone working and frequent travel across Surrey to meet clients and attend meetings, with occasional travel further afield. Therefore, a full UK driving licence and access to a car are essential.

What you will be doing

In this role, you will hold a caseload of young people aged 10–25 who are vulnerable to sexual or criminal exploitation, providing intensive, person-centred support. You will work closely with professionals across multiple agencies to promote safety, disrupt exploitation, and empower young people to move towards safer, more stable futures. Key Responsibilities:

• Manage a caseload of vulnerable young people, helping them stay safe and move away from the influence of perpetrators.
• Work collaboratively with partner professionals to design and deliver tailored support packages, offering specialist consultation where needed.
• Maintain accurate case records and contribute to clear, timely, and professional reports.
• Liaise effectively with Children’s Services, Surrey Police, and other agencies to disrupt abuse and support safeguarding and prosecution processes.
• Deliver training and awareness workshops to professionals, foster carers, and partner agencies to strengthen community understanding and responses to exploitation.
• Contribute to strategic development, deputising at relevant meetings and helping shape best practice across the service.

This is a challenging role; many of the young people you support may not recognise the risks they are facing or the abusive dynamics within their relationships. Supporting victims can at times be emotionally demanding and distressing. To ensure you feel supported and able to deliver high-quality practice, you will receive:

• One-to-one clinical supervision
• Weekly team meetings
• Regular line management supervision focused on both casework and wellbeing

 We recognise the emotional weight of this work and prioritise a reflective, supportive environment for all team members.

If you are enthusiastic about this opportunity but don’t meet every single requirement, we still encourage you to apply. Your skills and experiences may be more transferable than you think, and you could be exactly the person we’re looking for.

Qualifications, experience and knowledge

We are looking for someone who brings a strong combination of professional understanding, practical experience, and a commitment to safeguarding young people. You will ideally have:

• A relevant qualification in Youth Work, Social Work or an equivalent field — or significant comparable experience working directly with vulnerable young people.
• Proven safeguarding experience involving children and young people, with the ability to identify, respond to, and escalate concerns appropriately.
• Direct casework experience supporting young people aged 10–25, delivering structured, person-centred interventions.
• Experience facilitating group work that engages, educates and empowers young people.
• Experience delivering and risk-assessing outreach work, ensuring safe, effective practice in community settings.
• A strong understanding of the risks faced by vulnerable young people, including sexual exploitation, criminal exploitation, and harmful sexual behaviour.

CLOSING DATE: Sunday 29 March at midnight. 

PLEASE NOTE that we are unable to offer a work permit or visa sponsorship for this role; 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 check.

Reserve Community Outreach Support Worker - Mental Health  

Salary: £12.60 per hours 

Contract: Reserve (bank staff) 

Your week: Reserve shifts, as and when required (You’ll work varying hours between 8.30am and 8.30pm, 7 days per week, including 12-hour shifts, evenings and weekends) 

Location: Eastfield Road, Peterborough

We’re on a mission to deliver homes that make a difference. As a Reserve Community Outreach Support Worker (Mental Health), you’ll provide ongoing support to our customers with profound and enduring mental health issues, helping them improve their quality of life, sustain tenancies, and achieve independent living through structured and community outreach services 

Snapshot of your role 

• Provide a comprehensive range of support services to customers with profound and enduring Mental Health conditions. 

• Encourage the customer to take their medication as directed by their GP in promoting positive emotional and physical well-being. 

• Help the customers understand the responsibilities of holding a tenancy – particularly with respect to keeping the property in a clean and tidy state, not causing a nuisance to neighbours and paying rent. 

What we’re looking for  

• A full UK Driving Licence for use to deliver services in the community. 

• Ability to demonstrate a positive ‘can do’ attitude while adopting a people-focused friendly and approachable manner. 

• Ability to demonstrate an awareness/understanding of equal opportunities and other people’s behaviour, physical, social and welfare needs. 

• Ability to communicate clearly when speaking and writing including maintaining clear and accurate records and reports whilst using Microsoft Office systems including Word, Excel and competent user of the Internet and email system. 

Please read the attached Job Description before applying so you get the full scope of the role. 

Important - We do not provide visa sponsorship; you must be eligible to work in the UK. You must reside in the UK for the duration of your employment and provide Right to Work evidence. 

Closing: 25thMarch 2026 

We reserve the right to close the vacancy early in response to an overwhelming number of applications or a change in business priorities. 

Location: Sheffield

Contract: 12-month Fixed Term 

Salary: Grade 1.1 - £26,227 per annum pro-rata

Part-time: 17.5 hours per week

Working pattern: Flexible – to be discussed at interview. Home-based but must be able to work in the Sheffield office one day per week

Closing date: Wednesday 25th March 2026 at 11.30pm

We are looking for an enthusiastic individual with a professional telephone manner to join us as Tele-Fundraising Intern. You will help promote Shelter and enhance our ability to retain our supporters. This is an exciting opportunity to play a key part in standing up to the housing emergency.

About the role

You will be the first point of contact for supporters seeking information about Shelter’s work, so will need excellent communication and administrative skills, a real interest in housing issues, as well as an understanding of how the Outbound Supporter Services Team impacts supporter retention. Your day to day work will include calling supporters to welcome them to the organisation and thank them for choosing to support us, undertaking quality control surveys and ensuring supporter data is accurate.

You will promote Shelter, raise awareness of housing and homelessness issues and enhance our ability to retain our supporters. You will respond to enquiries about Shelter’s work and action supporter requests. You will maintain accurate supporter records and liaise with other departments to ensure changes are actioned, as well as handling complaints about services and fundraising activity.

There will be on the job training, support and supervision and you will have access to Shelter’s Employee Assistance Programme. We can also offer flexible hours, with some office working.

About you

The role is open to anyone who has have lived experience of disadvantage, such as homelessness, housing issues, the criminal justice system, mental ill-health, money and debt issues or other disadvantages. You will have good customer service skills, are able to communicate effectively on the telephone and have good attention to detail, with the ability to capture data accurately. You also have an understanding of Microsoft Office applications.

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 the Team

The Outbound Supporter Services team is based in Sheffield, in the same office as our free national housing advice helpline. We do vital work engaging new and existing supporters and informing them about Shelter’s fight against social injustice. We are responsible for promoting Shelter’s work, raising awareness of housing and homelessness issues and enhancing the organisation’s ability to both recruit and retain supporters.

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.

How to Apply

Please click ‘Apply for Job’ below. You are required to submit a CV and a supporting statement. Please provide specific examples of how you meet the criteria in the 'About you' section of this advert, following the STAR format, and ensure you demonstrate how you address the behaviour below throughout your responses:

• We prioritise diversity and have an inclusive and open mindset

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.

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

Location: Rochdale, linked to Manchester Hub – This can be a hybrid role based on service demands

Salary: Grade 5 - £37,739 or Grade 6 - £43,338 depending on experience

Hours: Full time - 35 per week

Contract: Permanent 

Closing date: Thursday 26th March 2026 at 11.30 pm

Join Shelter as a Housing Solicitor, in our mission to drive systemic change and fight for Justice.

If you are a dedicated Solicitor with a strong commitment to addressing the housing crisis we welcome you to apply for this role.

At a time when the housing emergency continues to deepen, your experience could help transform lives and challenge the systems that perpetuate injustice. Come and play a central role in our mission as a Solicitor to defend the right to a safe, and secure home.

Working with Shelter means being part of a passionate team that believes a safe home is a fundamental right. Here, your legal skills don’t just change lives—they shape a fairer housing system.

About the role

Based in with one of our partner organisations in Rochdale, you will ensure you deliver high quality legal services through casework and ensuring Legal Aid contract requirements and performance targets are met.

You will be able to identify test case opportunities to address systemic bad practice and so achieve change for a greater number of people and will work closely with the Managing Solicitor and the Hub.

About You

In this role, you will:

• Be a qualified Solicitor - we are open to newly qualified candidates with a demonstrable interest in social justice, as well as those who have 3+ years PQE and a strong track record in housing law and Legal Aid work
• Deliver high-quality legal advice and representation under our work as part of the Housing Loss Prevention Service, which provides free legal advice and court representation to anyone at risk of losing their home.
• Challenge unfair housing practices and systemic causes of homelessness through strategic casework and litigation
• Work closely with our Greater Manchester team to strengthen housing rights awareness across the
• Support Trainee Solicitors and Legal Advisers, ensuring high professional standards and compliance.

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 The Team

Our legal Teams (Managing Solicitors, Solicitors, Legal Advisors and Trainees) are based throughout the England hubs, we are currently based in London, Plymouth, Bristol, Norwich, Birmingham, Manchester, Merseyside, Lancashire, Sheffield and Newcastle.

Our teams are enthusiastic, driven and champions for fighting the housing injustice.  Our teams whilst generating an income also address the housing crisis.

You will be part of an existing multi-disciplinary team that offers housing and homelessness advice and support across Greater Manchester. It consists of a solicitor led legal team providing advice and representation, and an advice service providing advice, support and guided self-help to people with housing, debt or welfare benefit issues. There is also a committed and skilled team of volunteers that offer peer support, mentoring and more general volunteering adding significant value to our core service offer.

About Shelter

Home is a human right. It’s our foundation and where we thrive. Yet everyday 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.

How to Apply

Please submit your CV with a supporting statement with responses to the 'About You' points 1-7 outlined in the job description of no more than 1000 words. Please provide specific examples following the STAR format and ensure you demonstrate how you address the behaviour below throughout your responses:

• We prioritise diversity and have an inclusive and open mindset

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.

Recruitment Agencies

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