Entry level jobs for the Housing and Homelessness sector

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

Are you passionate about food and making a difference in people’s lives?

About the role

Join our dedicated kitchen team at Spring Gardens, a supported accommodation service for individuals with complex needs including mental health and substance use. As a Kitchen & Food Services Worker, you’ll help deliver nutritious meals in a safe, welcoming environment while supporting residents with dignity and respect.

In this role you will;

• Prepare, cook, and serve meals for 20–40 residents, meeting nutritional and dietary requirements.
• Maintain high standards of cleanliness and hygiene in line with St Mungo’s Food Hygiene Procedures.
• Involve clients in designing new menus, taking on feedback and discussing client requests including looking at ways to add diverse options.
• Monitor food and cleaning supplies, ensuring stock levels are maintained.
• Complete daily temperature checks, cleaning schedules, and allergen documentation.
• Supporting the team with Health & Safety compliance and documentation of the kitchen running
• Engage positively with residents, including those who may present challenging behaviours.

About You

To thrive in this role, you will be able to;

• Prepare and serve meals for large groups.
• Communicate effectively with colleagues and residents.
• Maintaining hygiene and safety standards.
• Follow structured food hygiene procedures and documentation.

You will either posses or be willing to complete Food Hygiene Level 1 & 2 training.

This role is shift based which will include evenings, weekends, and bank holidays. You’ll be required to work flexibly in response to service needs.

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 8 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

About Us

Caritas Diocese of Salford is the principal social action agency of the Catholic Diocese. Our mission is to put Love Into Action. We help those across Greater Manchester and Lancashire experiencing poverty, disadvantage, and discrimination to transform their lives with dignity. We provide a practical response to those in crisis, suffering hardship or who are at risk. We rebuild lives for the long-term, enabling people to live in a safe, healthy, and secure environment. We call for a better, more just world, where the voices of the poor are heard and acted upon and positively influence the systems, decisions and resources that affect those in need.

About the job

We are looking to recruit a Grants and Foundations Officer to join Caritas Salford’s fundraising team. You will be part of a team that is passionate about tackling poverty and inequality, where your work will have a real and visible impact. Your focus will be on maintaining and growing income from charitable trusts and statutory agencies.

As a Grants and Foundations Officer, you will work closely with senior managers and service managers, researching potential funders, securing funding from trusts, foundations and other potential funding partners. As well as building and stewarding lasting relationships that will help sustain and grow Caritas’ mission. We will support your development, helping you grow your fundraising skills, take on complex projects and help shape bids for commissioned services.

You will have excellent interpersonal skills, strong research and analytical expertise, be highly organised and confident in using IT systems and digital tools for research, communication and data management. Additionally, you will have the ability to build and maintain positive relationships with a range of stakeholders, plus a willingness to learn from others about fundraising and social impact.

37.5 hours per week. Monday to Friday with occasional evening and weekends required.

Part time would be considered

Flexibility to work remotely, with regular visits to Caritas services across Greater Manchester and Lancashire.

If this sounds like the next step you are looking for and you would like to work for an organisation passionate about transforming lives, we would love to hear from you!

Applications will be reviewed as they are received, and we reserve the right to interview/ appoint before the closing date. Early applications are therefore strongly encouraged.

To apply, please complete an application form and click the link in the advert to be redirected to the Caritas website. You will need to click Apply Now next to the Grants and Foundations Officer role, complete the necessary information and upload your application form plus any supporting documents.

Closing date: Thursday, 8 January 2026 at 9am

Interview: Monday, 19 and/or Tuesday, 20 January 2026

Caritas follows Safer Recruitment practices, and this post is subject to a Disclosure & Barring Service check. 

For full details please visit Caritas Diocese of Salford - Caritas | Diocese Of Salford – About - Careers

Caritas Diocese of Salford is an equal opportunities employer

Registered Charity Number: 1125808

Please note we do not accept applications via agencies or CVs

We are SIFA Fireside, the support service for any adult in Birmingham that faces homelessness. For 40 years we have supported Birmingham’s most vulnerable people through Homelessness Intervention, Prevention and Recovery services.

We welcome applications from people with lived experience of some of the issues our clients face, including homelessness, mental health challenges, substance use, or involvement with the criminal justice system.

SIFA Fireside’s Support Centre, based in Digbeth, delivers a range of services to people experiencing homelessness or who are vulnerably housed. The Peer Support Worker Service (PSWS) is a team of individuals who work with rough sleepers across the city of Birmingham, aiming to facilitate connection, motivate and inspire, and provide a non-judgemental listening ear. The service supports individuals facing Multiple Exclusion Homelessness (MEH), empowering them to make informed choices about their lives.

The Peer Support Worker role includes street outreach across Birmingham, building trust and rapport with the rough sleeping community. Many individuals have had negative experiences with services, leading to a lack of trust and reluctance to engage. Some may also have limited experience of managing accommodation or navigating support services. The role therefore centres on developing supportive, persistent, and compassionate relationships.

Key tasks (selection of)

1. Support people through street outreach, building trust and rapport with rough sleepers in Birmingham.
2. Build and maintain trust with individuals facing Multiple Exclusion Homelessness through social and community-based activities.
3. Support individuals in their positive behavioural change journeys using trauma-informed, strengths-based approaches that build confidence and wellbeing.
4. Work collaboratively with other frontline services across the city, engaging in day-to-day liaison to ensure a multi-disciplinary response.
5. Assist in crisis intervention and provide support in challenging situations, connecting individuals with appropriate professional help when required.

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

Harrogate Homeless Project

Support Worker job advert

Harrogate Homeless Project is seeking to recruit a Support Worker to join the Client Services Team. This is an exciting opportunity to be part of a growing team and to have the opportunity to make a real difference to our work.

The post holder will be responsible for the day-to-day administration of our hostel, Springboard reception and flats. As part of a team, help meet our clients’ personal, social, learning, work and housing needs to meet HPP’s objectives.

We are looking for someone to give person-centred support for clients in a welcoming, safe, non-discriminatory and non-judgmental environment.If you have a passion for making a difference to homelessness in Harrogate, then we would love to hear from you.

This is a full-time position consisting of 37.5 hours a week. There will be a weekly shift pattern to cover our hours of operation from 7.30am to 8.30pm.  Some flexibility is required to vary working hours to cater to client needs and assisting them with their appointments.  The salary for the post is £24,250 and after a 6-month probationary period will rise to £24,750.  A pay increase is pending in April.

This position will be based across our two sites – Hostel, Bower Street, Harrogate, HG1 5BQ and Springboard, Lower Hall Wesley Centre, Oxford Street, Harrogate, HG1 1PP.

Join us and help shape the future of homelessness support in the Harrogate district.

Closing date for applications is 5pm on Friday 9th January 2025, with interviews taking place week commencing 12th January. If you wish to apply for this post please forward a CV along with a supporting statement, showing how your experience fits with the job description and person specification this is available in the vacancies section of our website.

About Us:

Harrogate Homeless Project provides people experiencing homelessness with a safe place to stay and the support they need to build confidence and move towards independent living.

Company Benefits – • A supportive team environment • Opportunities for career advancement, • 33 days holiday (inc bank holidays) • Healthcare package • Travel benefits • Workplace pension scheme.

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.