Entry level jobs for the Housing and Homelessness sector

Job Description & Person Specification

Contract: Full time, Permanent 

Working hours: 48 hours per week over 4 Nights per week (Monday to Thursday). This will be a mix of sleep in and waking hours. 

Starting salary: £25,265.76

Leave: 25 days plus bank holidays (pro rata) 

Responsible to: Senior Project Coordinator 

Location: 3 Pritchard Street, St Pauls, Bristol, BS2 8RH 

Conditions: Employment is on the condition of a satisfactory Enhanced DBS Check (organised by Caring in Bristol) and employment references. 

Some of the benefits we offer:

• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays, increasing with 3 years' service 

• Flexible working arrangements 

• Enhanced 5% pension contribution 

• Company sick pay, increasing with 1 year of service 

• Individual learning & development budget 

• Group Reflective Practice 

Job Summary 

Z House is an exciting project run by Caring in Bristol, opening in July 2024. It provides emergency short-term accommodation for 18 – 25-year-olds in housing crisis, which is supplemented by daytime support to help people move on to sustainable and appropriate accommodation.

Based in St Pauls, Z house fosters a safe and supportive environment where 4 young people can stay in the Night Shelter at a time until they obtain suitable accommodation.This Role is for 4 Nights a Week, Monday to Thursday, involving a mix of both Waking and Sleep-in hours.

Sometimes working alongside a volunteer, you will be responsible for providing a safe space, listening ear and support for young people using the service. 

The role involves starting at 20:30, supporting our young people to settle for the evening before your sleep-in shift from 11:30pm until 07:30 am, in the morning you’ll support the young people and our volunteers with Breakfast and room changeover for the day, finishing your shift at 08.30am.

Shift Times       Activity

20.30 – 23.30    Waking

23.30 – 07.30    Sleeping (dedicated night worker room with shower)

07.30 - 08:30     Waking
 

Key responsibilities 

Housing management 

• Sign up and induct young people arriving outside of normal working hours

• Ensure the health, safety and security of the building, colleagues, residents, and visitors; taking reasonable care to protect yourself and all other persons, complying with health and safety legislation and procedures; seek guidance as necessary and highlight any significant deficiencies to a senior colleague 

• Carry out any required health and safety, housing management, risk management, etc. monitoring, keeping accurate and complete records throughout.

• Identify and report defects in the buildings, furniture, and equipment to promote a safe working environment in line with Health and Safety, following relevant procedures to remedy all defects. 

• Contribute to the upkeep of services, ensuring young people’s rooms, communal and colleague areas are well maintained, serviced, safe and clean; maintain accurate and complete records. Supporting Young People

• Assisting Young people to achieve positive outcomes including stated support plan goals, liaising with internal and external colleagues/organisations as required.

• Respond to requests and issues from young people, continually assessing housing needs and risks.

• Provide support and guidance for young people as appropriate

• Promote the participation and involvement of young people within and outside the organisation to elevate users’ voice in the delivery of the Z House service.

• Ensure all relevant records (including case-notes, safeguarding, incident, and other logs) are completed for all shifts.

• Providing detailed handover notes for the Young People in the shelter 

Volunteer support 

• To support and provide guidance to volunteers who will sometimes partner you on shift 

• To be the point of contact for volunteers if they need to raise any concerns 

Other  

• You will be one part of a two-person Night Support Team, so communication and detailed recording of information is necessary for the team to deliver a high level of support to young people safely and effectively 

• Ensure all shift tasks and processes are completed satisfactorily, including a comprehensive handover for the Z House Coordinator.

• Safeguard the welfare of children, young people, and adults at risk, working within Caring in Bristol’s safeguarding policies, Southwest Child Protection Procedures, and local procedures for safeguarding adults at risk.

• Carry out day-to-day administrative functions to ensure that all records and files are maintained and stored securely in line with the Data Protection legislation. 

• Provide a diverse and culturally sensitive service, ensuring that anti-discriminatory practice and equality of opportunity are promoted within all aspects of Caring in Bristol’s services. The list of tasks is not exclusive, and duties may be varied from time to time, with the job description being subject to review and periodic amendments. 

Personal Specification 

We expect you to meet most of these criteria. However, we don’t expect you to meet every point and welcome applicants with transferrable skills and an ability to apply themselves in a new context.
 

Essential 

• A desire and willingness to learn about the effects that experiencing homelessness have on young people in our city 

• A willingness to learn and uphold Caring in Bristol’s safeguarding Policies and Procedures

• Ability to listen to and communicate effectively with young people.

• Able to record case notes accurately and clearly and safely handle data in line with Caring in Bristol’s GDPR policies

• Ability to remain calm in a crisis with the skills to deal with incidents or urgent situations safely and pragmatically

• Able to work with vulnerable people, operating with sensitivity as well as assertiveness maintaining professional boundaries 

• A high attention to detail for health and safety issues 

• High standards of cleanliness and housekeeping 

• Effective communicator 

Desirable 

• Experience of working with vulnerable young people

• Experience of working with people from overrepresented communities in homelessness statistics such as those who identify as a part of the LGBTQ+ community, Young people who are experiencing displacement and those who are part of ethnically and culturally diverse communities 

• Experience working in supported accommodation

• Be able to demonstrate understanding of safeguarding principles and practice.

• Experience of working alongside and guiding volunteers with an understanding of how to do this effectively 

• Flexible problem solver, reliable and good at timekeeping 

• Have a willingness to uphold Caring in Bristol’s values and work towards our overall mission

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion 

Caring in Bristol believes strongly in equity and respect for every individual. We know there are some demographics under-represented in our workforce, and we are actively seeking ways to create accessible opportunities that expand the diversity of our staff and volunteers. 
 
We welcome applications from everyone who meets the requirements of the Person Specification. Due to the nature of our work, we especially encourage applications from people with lived experience of homelessness.
 
Caring in Bristol is an inclusive workplace that offers flexible working options wherever possible.We are committed to actively supporting the wellbeing of our staff and encourage a healthy work/life balance. If you require any reasonable adjustments at any stage of the recruitment process, please do let us know in your application form.

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

You will be working in our Assessment Centre and another service in the Sutton Vulnerable Adults Team and providing intensive support to individuals for their Assessment period with the aim to support a positive move on.

As the post-holder, you will be working to maintain an environment of support for adults with complex needs. The successful candidate does not have to have direct experience in a similar environment. We are seeking a candidate who is willing to learn and who has a strong understanding of the needs of homeless and vulnerable people, especially those with complex needs. Dedication, personal resilience and a relationship based, non-judgemental approach is essential.

In this role you will:

• Support clients to liaise with external services like GP, substance misuse teams, mental health teams, social services.
• Support with all necessary skills to enable an individual to move on to more independent accommodation,
• Have an experienced Team to support you.
• Receive comprehensive training and full induction
• Be working shifts which are normally 8-4 or 2-10pm and you will be expected to work some weekends and Bank Holidays.
• Carry a caseload of clients and be their lead worker.

About you

We are looking to recruit a Project Worker to our diverse team at Sutton Vulnerable Adults.  Reporting to one of the Deputy Manager you will be responsible for providing person-centred support to clients to manage their tenancies and access independence.

You will be able to liaise effectively with external agencies, have clear communication skills, a non-judgemental approach, and a good working knowledge of homeless clients and the challenges they face.

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!

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.

Visit our website and apply by clicking the ‘Apply Now’ Button to start your online application form. 

Closing Date: 10am on 13 May 2026

Interview and assessment date: TBC

We're looking for a kind, compassionate and resilient Housing Advice Worker to join our Social Care Service in Kent.

£27,976.00 per annum, working 40 hours per week on a 1 year FTC.

Want to feel in control of your career? You'll feel at home here.

Making you feel at home here means helping you thrive in every way. That's why we offer a wide range of benefits, award-winning Learning & Development and a culture that welcomes all.

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:

Building supportive, trusting relationships with customers who are currently in refuge to make the transition to permanent accommodation smoother.
Supporting community customers who have accessed the Sanctuary Scheme to remain in their properties and manage the risks associated with that.
Supporting key customers to set personalised goals in the form of a move on Support Plan
Ensuring ongoing assessment and management of risks associated with customers within an attitude of 'positive risk taking.'
Ensuring customers have full access to any move on welfare support by completing move on paperwork prior to customers move on date.
Liaising and building partnerships with local charities to support customers with move on items
Accompany customers to property viewings.
Helping to set up utilities for move on customers
Working proactively with the refuge and IDVA teams and referring any clients/customers to the IDVAs where required.
Empowering customers to ensure they receive the service and benefits to which they are entitled
Proactive development of links with local statutory and voluntary organizations to provide a range of engagement opportunities for customers in the community
Develop links with private sector landlords, estate agents and other housing providers in order to source additional units and move on accommodation
Deliver domestic abuse training and awareness raising to housing teams and local landlords forums
Ensuring Look Ahead Health and Safety policies are adhered to at all time and to uphold all health and safety responsibilities within relevant policies and local protocols
Engage positively in reflective practice sessions with colleagues.
Undertaking any other duties consistent with the grade and nature of the post as assigned by the Manager

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:

Enjoys social interaction and the company of others, joins in local activities to encourage customer involvement
Exudes a warm friendly presence and open behaviour
Is fundamentally calm and resilient, does not let emotion adversely affect them or obscure their judgement
Has a practical and logical mind and is naturally well organised
Is confident with high levels of self-esteem
Is respectful, articulate and sensitive in style of communication
Is motivated towards excellence and improvement of personal performance with a can do attitude
Ability to cope positively with challenging and diverse behaviour
What you'll bring:

Essential:

NVQ Level 2 or equivalent experience in the social care/charity sector

Desirable:

Full Driving Licence and access to use of vehicle

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.