Volunteer support worker at homeless day centre jobs

Our Vacancy

As a Support Worker for the Young People’s Services at Peabody, you will play a vital role in helping young people live independently and thrive within their communities. This is a meaningful and rewarding position where you will support individuals who may be socially excluded, disabled, unwell, or homeless. Your work will directly contribute to their wellbeing, independence, and inclusion, ensuring they are empowered to lead fulfilling lives. You will be part of a team that values human rights, dignity, and respect, and you’ll be instrumental in helping young people overcome challenges and achieve their goals.

What you'll do
In this role, you will provide high-quality, person-centred support to young people in supported housing. Your day-to-day responsibilities will include conducting needs and risk assessments, developing and reviewing support plans, and offering practical assistance with daily living skills such as cooking, cleaning, shopping, and managing finances. You will work closely with each individual to help them build confidence, develop life skills, and work towards their personal goals. You’ll also support them in accessing community resources, sustaining their housing, and exploring future housing options. Your role will involve liaising with external agencies, attending team meetings and training, and ensuring accurate record-keeping. You’ll be a key part of a collaborative team, committed to safeguarding, promoting equality, and delivering excellent service in line with Peabody’s values and policies.

What you'll need

• Experience supporting vulnerable people in the community or a supported living environment, either professionally or through volunteering
• Strong communication skills and the ability to build positive relationships with young people and external partners
• A compassionate, empathetic approach with a genuine desire to make a difference in people’s lives
• Confidence to work independently (including lone working) and collaboratively as part of a team
• Good IT literacy, including the use of Microsoft Office and data entry systems
  

Why join us?

When you join Peabody, you’re joining a team guided by our values, Be Kind, Do the Right Thing, Love New Ideas, Celebrate Diversity, Keep Our Promises, and Pull Together. We believe in creating a workplace where everyone feels supported, included, and empowered.

What You’ll Get

• 25 days’ annual leave 
• Flexible benefits including healthcare, dental, and discounts.
• 4x Life Assurance and up to 10% pension contribution
• Professional development, including funded apprenticeships.
• Two paid volunteering days each year.
• Family-friendly policies and a supportive team culture.

Please read before applying

This is a full-time, onsite role, and you’ll need to be available to work five days a week, including weekends and bank holidays. Shifts may include early mornings and evenings, so flexibility is key.

We’re reviewing applications as they come in, so you might hear from us before the closing date, keep an eye on your inbox and your phone! 

If successful, you will be required to complete two sleep-in shifts per week as part of your regular duties. 

The successful candidate will have a full and clean driving licence as well as their own vehicle as the role does involve working across two services, which will require driving.

Please read before applying:

Closing date: 08 February 2026

The Interviews for this role will take place on 16/02/26 and 19/02/26, in person in Waltham Cross. 

Please note: Peabody is not a licensed UK sponsor, so we’re unable to offer visa sponsorship for this role.

Colleagues who are at risk of redundancy need to state this on their application as they will be given priority consideration above other applicants.

Please note, if you are currently on legacy Aldwyck or legacy Catalyst Terms & Conditions, and are successful in your application, you will automatically be transferred to the new Peabody Terms & Conditions. 

Additionally, if you move to a Peabody role on a secondment basis, your Terms & Conditions will not change.

About You:

Those who know you describe you as kind, understanding, and open-minded. You listen without judgement and treat everyone with dignity and respect.

In the workplace, you are recognised as reliable, approachable, and professional. You communicate clearly, remain calm under pressure, and are confident managing competing priorities. You have a natural ability to encourage, empower, and motivate others to make positive changes, even in challenging circumstances.

You are reflective and emotionally intelligent, with a strong desire to support individuals to achieve greater independence and wellbeing. Making a meaningful difference isn’t just important to you — it’s what drives you.

You may already have an understanding of the complex challenges faced by people who are vulnerable or at risk of exclusion. This experience could come from previous employment, volunteering, training, or your own lived experience, and you are keen to use this knowledge to support others.

If this sounds like you, we would love to hear from you and welcome you to join our dedicated and supportive team.

Main Purpose Of Job:

We are seeking a dedicated and compassionate individual to join our team in a dual-role capacity, supporting two vital services run in partnership with Homeless Oxfordshire and Connection Support. The role covers both our Step Down provision—designed for individuals discharged from hospital under the Discharge to Assess model—and our service at Mawle Court, which provides temporary accommodation and support for people with complex needs, including those preparing for more independent living or in need of emergency provision. Working as part of a small, dynamic, and enthusiastic team, you will be responsible for delivering a safe and supportive environment across both services. You will lead on the case management of clients with complex needs, working collaboratively with partner agencies to develop and implement holistic, individualised support and move-on plans. This is a rewarding opportunity for someone passionate about making a tangible difference in the lives of vulnerable individuals, helping them on their journey towards stability and independence.

Main Areas Of Responsibility:

• To proactively and dynamically assess, monitor, manage and respond to risk for individuals and in the service.

• To assess risk and suitability of referrals to the service and book new clients in.

• Ensure the effective delivery of high-quality care, support and housing management according to Homeless Oxfordshire policies and procedures.

• To work collaboratively with partner agencies to ensure the creation and delivery of holistic wrap around support and risk management plans for clients with complex needs as well as to ensure clients have access to appropriate healthcare as needed.

• To work collaboratively with clients to identify and work towards suitable move on.

• To work with other agencies to provide client centred support & risk management plans for clients with complex needs to identify work towards a suitable move on option within 6 weeks.

• To work alongside the Client Engagement Co-Ordinator to ensure clients have access to opportunities to be empowered, build their confidence and develop independent living skills; to facilitate groups and activities as part of this.

• To make and maintain Housing Benefit claims.

• Ensure that IT systems are updated as required clear, concise and up to date record keeping is maintained and ensure information is shared with the team and external agencies as required.

• To represent Homeless Oxfordshire at interagency meetings, as required.

• Manage challenging situations and report any safeguarding concerns without delay in line with procedures and to ensure the safety of yourself and others.

• Maintain positive relationships with all stakeholders.

• Contribute to a positive working environment in which equality and diversity are valued and staff are enabled to do their best.

• To be a supportive and effective part of the team, including contributing to the induction of new colleagues and work of the broader team.

• To ensure that Homeless Oxfordshire’s Equal Opportunities Policies are complied with and promoted in carrying out duties of the post.

• Comply with Homeless Oxfordshire’s policies and procedures.

• To undertake any other duties that can be reasonably required to meet the operational needs of Homeless Oxfordshire.

About Us:

We are an open door for people experiencing homelessness whose lives have been shaped by trauma and disadvantage; providing safety, stability and support when it is needed most. We deliver this support across Oxfordshire by providing a range of accommodation with access to high quality support, offering a safe and welcoming space for people to take control of their own lives. We are an accredited Oxford Living Wage employer, and benefits to the role include: annual leave starting at 26 days (excluding bank holidays), flexible working, enhanced benefits with qualifying service, retail discounts with our Homeless Oxfordshire Benefits Hub, and life assurance up to four times your salary and a £250 bonus if you successfully refer a someone as a new colleague through our Employee Referral Scheme as a thanks from us!

What’s Next: Have a look at the job description to find out more about the role and apply on our website. Please be aware that this role is subject to an enhanced DBS disclosure check and will be undertaken for the successful candidate .

We reserve the right to close this advert early if we identify a suitable candidate before the advertised closing date.

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:

• Creativity Everyone can make something to be proud of

• Empathy We walk alongside people through challenges

• Empowerment Everyone can learn to take back control of their life

• 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:

• Build trusted, consistent relationships with young people aged 16–17

• Provide day-to-day support within the Hummingbird Homes model

• Support young people to develop independent living skills

• Maintain a safe, welcoming and supportive environment in the Support House

• Contribute to care planning, risk assessments and support reviews

• Work collaboratively with social workers, local authorities and partner agencies

• Support young people during challenging moments and periods of crisis

• Participate in rota-based working, including evenings, weekends and on-call

• 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

• A safe and welcoming space for young people

• A hub for community activities and relationship-building

Who We’re Looking For

We’re looking for someone who:

• Has experience supporting vulnerable young people or care leavers

• Is emotionally resilient, calm and able to build trust

• Understands safeguarding and trauma-informed practice

• Can work flexibly, including evenings and weekends

• Shares our values and is comfortable working within a Christian ethos

• Is committed to helping young people grow in confidence and independence

A full UK driving licence and Enhanced DBS are required.

Why Join Handcrafted?

• Be part of an innovative, relational model of care

• Work within a values-led organisation making real impact

• Join a supportive, close-knit team

• Receive ongoing training and development

• Play a meaningful role in transforming young people’s futures

We are seeking a  compassionate, dedicated individual to join the Homelessness Team in our values-led charity.Please note that for safeguarding reasons, we have an occupational requirement for this post-holder to be male.

Our Charity:  St Petrock’s is a strongly values-led local charity, with our primary focus being to meet the urgent needs of people experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness. It is essential for everyone on our team to be fully committed to our Mission and Values, which guide all that we do.

The Role:  We are looking for a motivated, compassionate and dedicated individual to join our homelessness team, which provides essential survival support and advice to people who are rough sleeping and/or vulnerably housed. We welcome applications from those with lived experience of homelessness.

The successful applicant will be committed to the mission and values of St Petrock’s. They will have significant experience of working with disadvantaged people who may exhibit challenging behaviour and will also understand the importance of confidentiality and discretion. They will be adaptable and flexible, capable of working both on their own initiative and enjoy the variety and challenge of working as part of a team within a busy charity.

The role is based at the St Petrock’s Centre and includes our food outreach. This involves significant amounts of walking each day across multiple terrains, requiring a good level of mobility and fitness.

For a full Job Description and Person Specification, please see details in the attached Job Pack (which can be viewed when you start your application).

To apply, please include your CV,  and full cover letter as per instructions in the Job Pack.  We will also ask you to complete a Disclosure Form via email in line with our safeguarding requirements.

There is no fixed closing date. We are looking to appoint as soon as possible.

Important Information:  Please note only male candidates will be considered for this post. Many of our clients are highly vulnerable and have experienced trauma, meaning they often make disclosures of a very personal and sensitive nature.  Given that around 80% of those we support are male, it is therefore essential that the team includes at least one male Project Worker in order to enable this support to be delivered safely, to avoid re-traumatisation and to ensure good safeguarding practice.  Therefore, in accordance with the Equality Act 2010, St Petrock’s will have an Occupational Requirement for this post to be filled by someone who is male.

St Petrock’s is fully committed to safeguarding the welfare of vulnerable adults and children. We use “safer recruitment” practices throughout our recruitment processes, and all successful candidates will be subject to the highest level of DBS check that is legally permissible for their role. Any offer of employment is subject to a satisfactory DBS check.