Support Worker (Women’s Homelessness)
Esther Women Supported Community, Exeter (on-site)
25 hours per week | Fixed-term (12 months, with potential to extend)
£13.29 – £13.65 per hour | 6 weeks’ annual leave (pro rata)
Make a real difference in women’s lives
Are you passionate about supporting women to rebuild their lives after homelessness and trauma? Do you believe that everyone deserves more than just a roof over their head?
At Keychange, we’re looking for a Support Worker to join our Esther Community in Exeter — a small, specialist service providing safe, trauma-informed accommodation for women experiencing homelessness.
About Esther Community
Esther Community offers a supportive, all-female environment where women can begin recovery, rebuild confidence, and prepare for a more secure future. Our women’s provision consists of five self-contained bedsits, alongside shared communal spaces and a garden, creating a calm and respectful place to live.
As a Christian charity, we are inspired by Christ’s example of love and service — but we warmly welcome people of all faiths and none, both as residents and colleagues.
About the role
As a Support Worker, you’ll play a vital part in the day-to-day running of the service and in supporting women on their individual journeys. This is a varied and rewarding role combining practical support, emotional encouragement, and casework. There is some flexibility to autonomously choose your working hours to suit your schedule.
You will:
- Build trusting relationships with women and provide strengths-based, person-centred support
- Act as a key worker, supporting women to identify goals around health, wellbeing, housing, education, employment, and relationships
- Carry out assessments, support planning, reviews, and accurate case recording
- Support women to access benefits, housing, and external services
- Work closely with partner agencies to ensure joined-up support
- Help maintain a safe, welcoming, and well-run living environment
- Respond calmly and professionally to challenging or crisis situations
- Contribute to a supportive, values-led team culture
Who we’re looking for
You don’t need to tick every box — we’re looking for someone with the right values, attitude, and resilience, alongside relevant experience.
Essential:
- Understanding of the issues facing women who are homeless or vulnerably housed
- Experience supporting women with complex needs
- A non-judgemental, caring and flexible approach
- Strong communication and relationship-building skills
- Ability to remain calm in stressful or crisis situations
- Commitment to safeguarding and promoting women’s wellbeing
- Experience in supported housing or homelessness services
Desirable:
- Relevant qualification (e.g. social care, housing, mental health)
- Training in trauma-informed practice or mental health
- Knowledge of housing legislation or welfare benefits
- Experience with being a floating support worker
Occupational Requirement
This role is open to women only, under Schedule 9 of the Equality Act 2010. This is a genuine occupational requirement to ensure a safe, supportive environment for women who have experienced trauma and abuse.
Why work for Keychange?
- Be part of a supportive, values-driven charity with over 100 years’ experience
- Make a meaningful impact every day
- Access personalised learning and development opportunities
- Join a warm, collaborative team where relationships really matter
How to apply
Please submit your most recent CV to your application.
Closing Date: 6th February 2026
Interviews will take place on w/c 16th February 2026
Starting Date: 2nd March 2026
If this role feels aligned with your experience and values, we’d love to hear from you.
Registered Charity
101 - 500
To focus on developing and encouraging community for vulnerable adults by seeking to address the risks in society of increased loneliness.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
We are looking for a Key Support Worker to join Hummingbird Homes, a new and innovative supported accommodation model for young people aged 16/17 leaving care.
Be part of something genuinely differen
This is not a traditional support role. As a Key Support Worker, you will be part of a small, committed team offering relational, trauma-informed support to young people at a crucial point in their lives, helping them move towards independence with stability, dignity and hope.
Hummingbird Homes has been designed to bridge the gap between care and independent living, offering young people their own homes alongside consistent, trusted adult support in a nearby Support House.
Our Values
Everything we do at Handcrafted is shaped by our values. We are a Christian charity, and while we do not expect service users to engage in faith-based activity, our work is grounded in the following principles:
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Creativity Everyone can make something to be proud of
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Empathy We walk alongside people through challenges
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Empowerment Everyone can learn to take back control of their life
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Community We accept people as they are and support one another
These values underpin the way our Key Support Workers build relationships, respond to need, and create safe, supportive environments.
About the Role
As a Key Support Worker, you will play a central role in supporting young people living in Hummingbird Homes. You will work relationally and practically to help each young person develop the skills and confidence they need to move forward.
This is a hands-on, people-centred role that combines emotional support, safeguarding, practical life skills and community building.
Key Responsibilities:
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Build trusted, consistent relationships with young people aged 16–17
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Provide day-to-day support within the Hummingbird Homes model
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Support young people to develop independent living skills
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Maintain a safe, welcoming and supportive environment in the Support House
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Contribute to care planning, risk assessments and support reviews
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Work collaboratively with social workers, local authorities and partner agencies
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Support young people during challenging moments and periods of crisis
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Participate in rota-based working, including evenings, weekends and on-call
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Maintain accurate records and contribute to safeguarding and quality assurance
(Full responsibilities are detailed in the recruitment pack.)
The Support House – A Core Part of the Role
This role includes your accommodation made available rent-free for the better performance of this role
- A base for staff while on shift or on call
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A safe and welcoming space for young people
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A hub for community activities and relationship-building
Who We’re Looking For
We’re looking for someone who:
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Has experience supporting vulnerable young people or care leavers
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Is emotionally resilient, calm and able to build trust
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Understands safeguarding and trauma-informed practice
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Can work flexibly, including evenings and weekends
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Shares our values and is comfortable working within a Christian ethos
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Is committed to helping young people grow in confidence and independence
A full UK driving licence and Enhanced DBS are required.
Why Join Handcrafted?
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Be part of an innovative, relational model of care
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Work within a values-led organisation making real impact
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Join a supportive, close-knit team
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Receive ongoing training and development
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Play a meaningful role in transforming young people’s futures
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.