Support workers and relief support workers jobs
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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.
Are you passionate about making a difference in people’s lives, and supporting staff to ensure people receive person-led, holistic, trauma-informed support on their journey out of homelessness? Do you have perseverance, and a commitment to never give up hope in people?
Our Supported Housing and Emergency Accommodation Service is funded to provide support to those with multiple and complex needs who are experiencing, or at risk of experiencing homelessness, located in close proximity within Gateshead:
- Two supported housing sites; one 8 bed, one 6 bed, both staffed 24 hours.
- Six self-contained properties forming the emergency accommodation element of the service.
Our properties are places of safety, Psychologically Informed Environments (PIE), from which we work with individuals. We aim to provide accommodation and support that helps people find self-worth and the belief that they deserve a better future, before moving them on safely and successfully, therefore reducing homelessness and the on-going risk of homelessness. To join us you will need to demonstrate an understanding of the complexity of needs related to homelessness, especially mental ill-health, alcohol and substance misuse and offending, and a working knowledge of Safeguarding in this context. You will be able to work calmly under pressure, flexibly, and using your own initiative to problem solve in a demanding environment. You will be able to effectively line manage staff, work in close partnership with external partners, and be able to monitor and effectively oversee the day to day running of the service, in line with organisational ethos and values.
In return, you will benefit from a supportive, creative environment and have the opportunity to develop your knowledge and skills. We are a growing charity, and we believe staff are the foundation stone to the success of the charity and so we do everything we can to make sure they feel valued, supported, engaged and developed.
Oasis Community Housing is a Christian response to homelessness and disadvantage, providing housing, support and other specialised services. Our vision is for everyone to be part of a community where they are included, belong and have what they need to reach their God-given potential. As part of our strategy for growth and development, we are embarking on an ambitious journey to develop our culture of co-production. We want to share power and responsibility with those accessing our services in meaningful, safe and accessible ways, and to create an environment where everyone can contribute.
We welcome applicants from all faiths or none, but it is important that all employees understand and sympathise with the Christian ethos of Oasis Community Housing.
This is an exciting role leading our committed policy team leading the fight to end child poverty in the UK. The development and implementation of a UK-wide cross-government child poverty strategy means this is a great time to join CPAG as we look to influence policy makers to adopt our evidence-based policy solutions to child poverty.
We are looking for someone to take a lead role in developing evidence-based policy positions to support CPAG’s influencing and campaigns work. You will have knowledge of political processes and how external organisations can effect change. You will have a track record of producing high quality research and analysis, including policy briefings, on social policy issues. You will have experience of managing a small team and working collaboratively to identify policy issues and develop solutions with colleagues across the organisation, as well as externally.
The postholder will be working in a fast moving, high profile and complex policy environment and will need to balance short term priorities with long term objectives. Current priorities include influencing the implementation of the forthcoming child poverty strategy, gathering and sharing analysis and expertise with the DWP as part of their review of universal credit, and monitoring the development of forthcoming changes to disability benefits.
We welcome applications from individuals with the skills and experience outlined and we can be flexible about working arrangements. We operate a hybrid working system and would be happy to discuss any flexibilities required. CPAG is committed to equity, diversity and inclusion which you can read more about in the job pack.
We welcome applications on a secondment basis.
For more information about this post and to apply download the Head of Policy job pack.
If you have questions or need specific arrangements or reasonable adjustments to take part in the selection process, please contact us.
Closing date for applications: Sunday 4th January 2026 (midnight)
Interviews will take place: Tuesday 13th January 2026
Child Poverty Action Group works to prevent and end child poverty – for good.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.


