Independent Living Skills Coach

Salvation Army Homes; Greater London; On-site; GBP 40,000 - GBP 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading social housing provider in Greater London seeks an Independent Living Skills Coach to support young people aged 18-25 in developing essential life skills for independence. In this role, you will create personalized plans, deliver life skills sessions, and foster engagement in education and employment. The ideal candidate should possess empathy, creativity, and confidence in their ability to guide vulnerable individuals. This position offers a comprehensive benefits package including generous leave, financial support options, and professional development opportunities.

Benefits

26 days annual leave increasing to 31 days

Matched pension scheme

Westfield Healthcare Cash Back Plan

Financial support options

One paid volunteering day per year

Qualifications

• Ability to inspire, guide and encourage young people as a natural coach.
• Resilience when challenges arise while supporting vulnerable individuals.
• Experience in working creatively with young people to help them engage.

Responsibilities

• Act as a coach and keyworker, co-creating individualized plans.
• Deliver life skills sessions and support young people to maintain accommodation.
• Encourage engagement with education, training and employment opportunities.

Skills

Empathy for young people with complex needs

Creativity and persistence to find solutions

Confidence in supporting independent living

Job description

About The Role

Imagine this…

A young person has just moved into Bruce House. They’re unsure, maybe guarded – but you start with something simple: cooking a meal together.

Over time, you help them build the skills that make independence possible: budgeting, managing a tenancy, keeping a home, accessing services, and building routines. You support them to engage with education, training or employment – and to believe in themselves again.

You’re not just teaching practical skills. You’re helping someone take real steps towards a future where they can thrive independently – with the reassurance that they’ve got someone alongside them who won’t give up.

The opportunity

Bruce House delivers a high-quality accommodation-based support service for young people aged 18–25. Many residents are already developing independence and may be in education, training or employment, using support flexibly as they build stability and confidence.

A key part of the service is helping young people become genuinely ready for move‑on. This includes clear expectations, practical preparation, and individualised planning to ensure young people understand the responsibilities of holding and sustaining a tenancy.

As an Independent Living Skills Coach, you’ll play a vital role in helping young people develop the life skills, confidence and resilience they need – so that when the time comes to move on, they are ready.

About You

What you’ll be doing

• Act as a coach and keyworker, co‑creating ‘My Journey’ plans with young people.
• Build supportive relationships rooted in trust, respect and consistent boundaries.
• Deliver life skills sessions, activities and accredited programmes that support independent living.
• Support young people to understand tenancy responsibilities and sustain their accommodation successfully.
• Work creatively to help young people engage with support services – especially when motivation is low or trust has been broken.
• Encourage and support engagement with education, training and employment opportunities (including apprenticeships).
• Support young people to develop routines and skills that enable them to work or study while sustaining their accommodation.
• Support young people before, during and after they move on to independence.

What we’re looking for

• A natural coach – someone who can inspire, guide and encourage.
• Empathy for young people with complex needs and resilience when challenges arise.
• Creativity and persistence to find solutions that unlock potential.
• Confidence supporting young people to build independent living skills alongside work, education or training.

About Us

A registered social landlord and one of the leading providers of supported housing in the UK, Salvation Army Homes is dedicated to transforming lives by providing accommodation and support for some of the most vulnerable members of society – mainly people with complex needs and/or experiencing homelessness.

Our aim is to work with individuals to build on their strengths, creating person centred, individualised strategies and plans that transform lives, support recovery and enable positive behaviour. In order to succeed, however, we need the right people in place. Our workforce is one of our greatest assets, but only by recruiting the very best can we continue to deliver comprehensive, good quality housing services, support and resettlement services to our residents. That’s where you come in.

Equal Opportunities

As an equal opportunities employer, Salvation Army Homes is committed to the equal treatment of all current and prospective employees and does not condone discrimination on the basis of age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race or ethnicity, religion or belief, gender identity, or marriage and civil partnership. We invite and welcome applications to apply for Salvation Army Homes opportunities without concern of bias or discrimination.

Early Closure Notice

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.

Our Benefits

In return for your commitment, we offer a supportive workplace and a strong benefits package including:

• £100 when you start work, plus £250 at 6 months’ service and another £250 at 12 months’ service.
• 26 days annual leave rising to 31 days plus an extra day off on your birthday.
• Westfield Healthcare Cash Back Plan (including cashback for optical, dental, therapies, plus 24/7 GP access and counselling support).

• Matched pension scheme up to 6% (with salary sacrifice option).
• Enhanced family leave from day one, including enhanced maternity/adoption and paternity pay.
• Financial support options, including season ticket loans, emergency loans, mortgage advice and wellbeing support.
• One paid volunteering day per year.
• Cycle to Work Scheme.

• Discounted private medical insurance.
• Occupational Sick Pay.
• Support to learn and develop your career.