Entry level jobs for the Housing and Homelessness sector

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.

We are looking for Bank Supported Housing Support Workers to join our Our 16+ Older Looked After Young People (OLYP), Care Leavers and Unaccompanied Asylum-Seeking Children (UASC) services. 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 support residents into independent accommodation. 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

Our Bank Support Worker roles are similar to our Support Workers roles, but they work on a more flexible, temporary basis – they are great way into the organisation and can be a stepping stone into other roles. 

You will be offered available shifts (day, evening, night, weekends and bank holidays) in advance and at short notice – you choose which ones you want to work.

In this rewarding role you will work proactively and creatively alongside young people providing support, guidance, and signposting around areas such as housing, budgeting, living skills, jobs and relationship building. You will contribute to the smooth and safe running of the services by providing consistency and reliability.

You will ideally have experience of working with a similar client group and a good understanding of the key risks, challenges and opportunities for young people.

If you’re enthusiastic about this opportunity but your experience doesn’t align perfectly with every requirement, we encourage you to apply anyway and demonstrate how your experience is transferrable. You may be just the right candidate. 

Specialist Support Worker - Co-Production Lead

We're looking for a kind, compassionate and resilient Specialist Support Worker to join our homelessness Social Care Service in Tower Hamlets.

£29.073 per annum, working 40 hours per week.

Want to feel valued? You'll feel at home here.

Our benefits include:

Annual leave increasing up to 30 days with length of service
Free DBS
Exclusive discounts and cashback via Reward Gateway® and opportunity to buy a Blue Light Card
Fully paid induction programme and further training
ILM courses and Apprenticeship Programmes
Cycle to work scheme
Employee Assistance Programme for 24-7 confidential support
Online wellbeing resources
A generous pension - we will contribute up to 4% and life assurance cover up to £10,000 (T&Cs apply)
Quarterly Staff Awards to reward & recognise our amazing staff's commitment and contribution
All applicants must be legally eligible to work in the UK by the start of employment as Look Ahead are not able to offer sponsorship.

What you'll do:

Support customers with job searches and employment search as well as support with completing job applications and CVs
Carrying out holistic assessments of new customers which incorporate relevant statutory referral information
Conducting regular key work sessions that are innovative and engaging in order to achieve Support Plan goals
Key-working the most complex service-users with particular needs aligned with the post holder's specialism - Co-Production
Create support plans for providing appropriate services based on on-going assessment and reflecting the services and resources available to enable customer to progress in their recovery
Ensuring ongoing assessment and management of risks associated with customers within an attitude of 'positive risk taking'
Provide support and access to relevant services to enable customers to continue their recovery and empower customers to self-manage their medication regimes through individual re-enablement programmes and informed decision making

This is not an exhaustive list of all the duties and responsibilities that may be required from time to time and is subject to change in accordance with the needs of Look Ahead

About you:

Embraces a Psychologically Informed approach
Is capable of maintaining unconditional positive regard
Views challenging behaviour as a support need.
A strong specialist support worker with excellent interpersonal skills
Socially adept, networks widely, well connected in sector, influential
Approachable, open & professional behaviour
At ease in directing others, is assertive and independent minded, will challenge others, and skilled in resolving conflict
Drives change, enjoys dynamic diverse environments and demonstrates entrepreneurialism, creativity and innovation
Demonstrates significant confidence and high levels of self-esteem
Demonstrates significant levels of emotional resilience and a positive attitude
Is respectful, articulate and sensitive in style of communication
Is passionate and enthusiastic about the business
Is motivated towards excellence and improvement of personal performance with a can do attitude
Is Customer focussed
We welcome applications from individuals with lived experiences of using services
What you'll bring:

Essential:

Up to NVQ Level 3 or equivalent in a relevant area (e.g. psychology, Health and Social Care, Mental Health) OR experience in the social care/charity sector.
Experience building and develop strong professional partnerships with external providers aligned to their specialism
Desirable:

2-3 years experience providing targeted recovery focussed support to individuals with needs around trauma, mental health, substance use and dual diagnosis.

For our full job description please visit our website

About us:

Look Ahead is a leading, not-for-profit care and support provider in London and the South East. Our vision is to build better lives through social care and housing in local communities. As an organisation we deliver over 100 services, providing support to thousands of customers each year. Our mission is to co-design and deliver services that offer innovative social care solutions and support people to thrive. We work across mental health, homelessness and complex needs, young people and care leavers and learning disabilities so there are plenty of opportunities to grow and progress your career with us.

We have a strong social purpose and we live and work by our values:

We focus on Excellence and innovation.
We are Caring and Compassionate.
We are Inclusive and Trusted.
We work in Partnership and are One-Team.
Look Ahead is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and adults at risk, and expects all employees, workers and volunteers to share this commitment.

If your application for this role is unsuccessful, but we feel that you would be suitable for another role, we may contact you to discuss alternative opportunities. If this occurs you would not need to submit another application for the alternative role.

We reserve the right to close this advert early if we are able to appoint to the vacancy before the advertised closed date.

We are committed to diversity and inclusion at work and are accredited with Silver in the Inclusive Employers Standard 2021. We are a proud member of the Employers Domestic Abuse Covenant and encourage applications from a diverse range of applicants of all backgrounds.

Are you passionate about making a lasting difference to the lives of vulnerable adults?

About the role

We are currently looking for an Assistant Support Worker (known internally as Duty Worker) to join our Hope Gardens service, a 27-bed complex needs project within the Hammersmith & Fulham pathway. 

This is a fast-paced psychologically informed environment offering support to vulnerable people to manage/recover from a variety of needs, inclusive of but not limited to substance use, mental/physical health, criminal justice, budgeting, tenancy sustainment and daily living skills.

In this role you will:

• Work on four weekly shift-based pattern to support with the day to day running of the project, working closely with project workers, night staff, manager and external professionals
• Oversee setting weekly H&S tasks, managing repairs, leading on and planning day to day appointments.
• Have the opportunity to lead in a clients support and/or to cooperatively keywork.
• Be the first person that our clients, contractors and visitors meet.

About you

We are looking for proactive and creative individuals who are committed to the overall aims and objectives of the Rough Sleeping services.

To thrive in this role you will:

• Be able to adapt to a fast-paced environment. Committed to working in a proactive and trauma-informed way
• Demonstrate St Mungo’s values: We are committed, creative, inclusive, empowering, and accountable.

Above all we are looking for inspirational, committed individuals who have a genuine desire to support people to transform their lives.

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

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 19 January 2026

Interview and assessments on: TBC

What we offer

Excellent Development and Growth Opportunities

A Diverse and Inclusive Workplace

Great Pay and Other Benefits

Become an Apprentice Worker and use your lived experience to inspire clients throughout their recovery while gaining a qualification and working on your professional development.

At St Mungo’s, we believe in creating opportunities for people with lived experience of homelessness, substance use, mental health challenges, involvement with the criminal justice system, and/or recovery services. Our Apprenticeship Scheme is designed to help you build a career while making a positive impact. We have opportunities available for 18 month fixed term contracts as Client Support Apprentice Workers.

What you’ll do as an Apprentice Worker

Working as Client Support Apprentice Worker, you will complete practical work experience and academic learning, and work alongside colleagues, students and volunteers working together to empower clients, with a variety of needs in achieving personal goals.

• Gain practical experience and skills in caseload management while working in a person-centred way to support wellbeing and recovery.
• Learn how to deliver day-to-day services while collaborating with colleagues and external partners.
• Have opportunities to shadow experienced staff and receive on-the-job training, observing how we empower our clients to access the right support and move on.
• Complete the practical element of your apprenticeships with meetings and event attendance as well as formal learning while completing a Level 3 Peer Worker qualification.
• Complete on and off the job learning, shadowing and development opportunities.
• You will receive support and supervision from an Apprenticeship Advisor as well as a direct line manager, every step of the way.

Where you’ll work

We’re excited to offer 2 Client Support Apprentice Worker opportunities, joining the team in the London Borough of Camden in the following services:

Camden Shared Houses: A large service spreading across 6 properties and supporting over 40 clients with their needs around homelessness, substance use, mental and physical wellbeing. This service works closely with Camden Council, other accommodation providers in the Adult Pathway, CAPP nurses, and other local services to ensure clients receive holistic support and move towards independence.

North Camden Mental Health Accommodation Services: A mental health supported accommodation service supporting clients with high and low support. Generally, clients move to high support services from hospital and move on from there to low support and then into independent accommodation in the community. This service works closely with other providers within the Mental Health Pathway and community mental health teams.

What we’re looking for

We’re looking for self-motivated people who can bring their own lived experience of recovery or using services, and use it positively and appropriately to inspire and empower our clients on their journey.

• You will have great communication and listening skills, empathy, and a genuine desire to make a difference.
• You will have some experience through volunteering or working in a similar setting, basic admin and IT skills and a  proactive attitude towards learning.
• If this sounds like you, we encourage you to apply!

If you don’t think you meet all of the requirements, we would still love to hear from you. You can find more information about the scheme and our contact details on our website, why not get in touch with the team who can answer your questions. 

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 Monday 12 January 2026

Interview and assessments: between 27-29 January 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

• A full-time, paid role (37.5 hours per week) for 18 months.
• A comprehensive training programme.
• A dedicated team to support and empower you.
• Excellent development and growth opportunities
• A diverse and inclusive workplace
• Great pay and other benefits

Emmaus Overview

Emmaus is a community that provides accommodation and work for vulnerable people. We are committed to providing support while promoting independence. Staff and volunteers must work closely with Companions while observing appropriate professional boundaries in performing their role. They must also learn and engage with the Emmaus ethos.

The key task for this role is to manage a caseload of up to 16 Companions and to ensure that new companions get the information and support they need to help them settle in quickly and easily to the community and to working in our charity shops, warehouse and delivery / collection service. The support worker role is central to the team and close teamwork is essential.

The support worker will undertake direct support work with companions. Each companion has a personal support and development plan to help them achieve their personal goals and ambitions, in compliance with our Emmaus ethos, strategic aims, organisational objectives, policies and procedures.

Staff are expected to participate in and support solidarity activities undertaken by the Community.  Solidarity within the context of Emmaus is the working with groups and individuals towards the alleviation of poverty, social exclusion and suffering, and responding to local, national and international appeals for relief and support.

We expect you to carry out your job responsibilities in an environmentally aware manner.  Our aim is to ensure all resources are utilised effectively and efficiently.  You will be expected to apply sound ‘value for money’ principles in undertaking purchasing or supply of goods and services.

In Emmaus, volunteers are an important resource and make a vital contribution to Emmaus’s aim to take action to help disadvantaged people.  You will be expected to encourage and support volunteer involvement in our work.

Main duties and responsibilities

Support for Companions

• Support a caseload of companions to reach their potential through both practical and emotional support.
• Tailor support plans to meet individual needs – setting goals, assigning actions and taking a holistic view of the person and their wishes.
• Guide induction and exit processes for companions – to ensure that they understand the core principles of the offer at Emmaus and move on to long term, sustainable accommodation after us.Use de-escalation techniques to manage challenging behaviour as it arises, with consideration to positive conflict resolution.Support with incident response, including responding to risk, e.g. anti-social behaviour, mental health concerns, fire alarms etc.
• Liaise with external providers (CMHT, GP, DWP, hospitals, probation, prisons, CAB etc) to ensure that specialist advice and guidance is sought where needed.

Administrative duties

• Maintain accurate records in line with internal policy and with consideration for GDPR principles.
• Perform tasks to support the effective running of the community.
• Contact external providers to make them aware of who we are and what we do to drive referrals.
• Provide written updates for key stakeholders and internal meetings.
• Provide structured support for companions as agreed in the support plan.
• Participate in an emergency on-call rota to ensure 24/7 support is available for companions where needed.

Health and Safety

•  To apply the organisations health and safety policy.
• To carry out risk assessments as and when required and to ensure actions arising from this are carried out.
• To ensure that health and safety procedures are understood and followed by all companions.
• To report any incidents or concerns to the Community Support Manager.

36 hours per week / £36,530 per annum pro rata / permanent / working two days onsite and three days from home, working pattern to be discussed at interview

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.

Brighton & Hove Wellbeing service is delivered by Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust in partnership with YMCA DownsLink Group. We offer a variety of support including counselling and psychological therapies to children and young people within Brighton and Hove.

We are looking for a compassionate and experienced Wellbeing Children & Young People's (CYP) Lead to support and shape our therapeutic services for young people in Brighton and Hove.

Overview of key areas of responsibility:

Leadership

• Provide line management support and supervision to wellbeing workers (e.g. counsellors, practitioners, therapists, link workers and trainees).
• Work alongside a team of leads to support the running, development and management of the service.
• Lead induction, mentoring, and training of new staff, trainees, and volunteers.
• Foster a culture of learning, innovation, and continuous improvement across the team.

Core Clinical

• Carry out individual counselling assessments of children and young people and make appropriate referrals.
• Provide guidance and oversight for complex or high-risk cases.
• Ensure all interventions are evidence-based, child-centred, and trauma-informed.
• Develop and oversee counselling protocols, therapeutic pathways, and risk assessment frameworks.

Safeguarding and Risk

• Lead and give oversight for safeguarding concerns, embedding a safeguarding-first culture across the service.
• Work to ensure all counsellors, staff, and volunteers are trained, confident, and compliant in safeguarding practice.
• Implement robust risk assessment and management processes.
• Monitor safeguarding incidents, identify themes, and strengthen safeguarding practice.
• Liaise with schools, health, social care, police, and other agencies in safeguarding matters.

Service Development

• Work with the Service Manager, Leads and Clinical Leads to strengthen and expand counselling provision, including group work.
• Triage referrals and represent the service in multi-agency triage meetings.
• Promote and develop opportunities for community participation and youth voice in service design.
• Build strong relationships with schools, health services, local authorities, commissioners, and community partners.
• Represent the service at local and regional forums, influencing CYP wellbeing strategies.

Qualifications, knowledge, and experience

• More than 2 years post-qualified at graduate or post graduate level Counselling Diploma or equivalent [of two years minimum duration including personal counselling or psychotherapy].
• BACP Registration or Accreditation and/or eligible for other Professional Accreditation e.g. UKCP/HPC.
• Strong team-management and line-management experience is required, including demonstrated experience in supervising, developing, and supporting staff.
• An in depth understanding of counselling theory and practice and working to short-term models.
• A sound understanding of child developmental processes, Child Protection and Vulnerable Adult Safeguarding issues and procedures, along with proven experience in safeguarding young children.
• Solid experience in delivering counselling and assessment, along with experience with high-risk/complex cases.
• Experience of multi-disciplinary team working, with the ability to work within time-limited frameworks.

CLOSING DATE: Sunday 11 January 2026 at midnight. Proposed interview date Thursday 15 January.

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.