Support Worker

Housing Diversity Network; Cambridge; On-site; GBP 28,000; Full time

Job summary

A community support organization in Cambridge is seeking a dedicated Support Worker to assist young females at risk of homelessness. The role involves building supportive relationships, addressing challenging behaviours, and helping clients gain independence. The ideal candidate will have relevant experience in youth work, be resilient, and commit to a holistic approach in assisting vulnerable individuals. This role includes various benefits, including annual leave and ongoing training opportunities.

Benefits

22 days annual leave plus bank holidays

Free onsite parking

Reward and recognition awards

Free DBS checks

Cashback Health plan

Ongoing training and development

Wellbeing programme

Qualifications

• Experience supporting independent living in a youth work or homelessness setting.
• Experience working with vulnerable individuals with diverse needs.
• Ability to work alone and manage challenging behaviours.

Responsibilities

• Build relationships and provide structured support to service users.
• Engage with service users to improve their decisions and wellbeing.
• Ensure safety and adherence to good practice and legislation.
• Support community engagement and networking opportunities.
• Advocate strongly for service users based on their individual needs.

Skills

Relevant experience in youth work or homelessness

Desirable skills - mental health, housing, benefits, further education

Working with challenging behaviours

Client-centered approach

Building relationships

Education

GCSE Maths and English (Grade 9-4 / A-C or equivalent)

Job description

Support Worker – Whitworth House, Cambridge
£13.78 per hour £27,229.28 per annum
38 hours per week; Permanent
Ref: WH024

Posts restricted to females only. Schedule 9 (part 1) of the Equality Act 2010 applies

We are looking for a Support Worker to join our Temporary Supported Housing service in Cambridge.

Whitworth House is a homeless hostel offering support for females aged 16-24 years who are homeless or at risk of homelessness and require a level of support before they are able to sustain their own accommodation.

The role plays an important part in our service users lives, ensuring they feel safe and happy with the service they are receiving and have the widest opportunities available to enhance their lives and lead to independence.

About You

• Relevant experience in youth work or homelessness. Supporting independent living.


• Desirable skills - mental health, housing, benefits, further education.


• Understands gendered issues & can work in a trauma informed way.

Due to the nature of the service, it is important that candidates applying for this role are able to work with service users who have challenging behaviour's and are confident to work alone as required.

Key Responsibilities

• Building relationships with structure and boundaries in order to provide support through support planning and help them to overcome the struggles they face daily.


• Support our service users to manage risks and make positive decisions to enhance their wellbeing working alongside other support agencies to ensure a holistic approach.


• Be involved in referrals, risk assessing and supporting the team to ensure that our service users, colleagues and our building are safe by adhering to good practice and legislation.


• Actively engage with our service users and wider stakeholders to ensure that the service thrives and delivers to our best ability.


• Support our service users to link into the local community, to gain new networks and opportunities through volunteering, training and work.


• Be a strong advocate for our service users through getting to know them and recognising their individuality from their lived experiences.

Our ideal candidate will

• Resilient, eager to learn and able to work with our clients in a holistic and client-centered approach.


• Confident working in a 1-2-1 capacity with people, to help them identify their priorities and goals.


• Focused on finding solutions to sometimes complex problems and working with other people and organisations to do so.


• Have previous experience of working in a similar field.


• Have experience in identifying methods to successfully engage with vulnerable people across a wide range of backgrounds and with diverse needs.


• Have experience of lone working and the challenges that may bring.

More reasons to apply

• 22 days annual leave (pro rata) plus bank holidays. Please note that some bank holiday working will be required as part of this role.


• Free onsite parking.


• Reward and recognition awards.


• Free DBS checks.


• Cashback Health plan.


• Access to Blue Light Card – membership fees applies.


• Ongoing training and development & opportunities to progress in your role through the Orwell Academy.


• Wellbeing programme.

Person Specification

• GCSE Maths and English (Grade 9-4 / A-C or equivalent)


• A full driving licence is desirable

Interview Date

Monday 16 th February 2026.

Before applying

Orwell is committed to safeguarding and safer employment and the principles of empowerment.

Please notice Orwell Housing Association does not provide visa sponsorship. You must be eligible to work in the UK to apply. You will be required to provide the relevant right to work documentation if successfully appointed to the role.

This post is subject to an enhanced DBS check. All new arrivals to the UK must also provide a Statement of Good Conduct (SOGC).

The definition of new arrival is an applicant who has worked or been resident overseas in the previous five years and this includes citizens of the UK who have worked or lived overseas for a of six months or more.

Apply with Confidence

Orwell is proud to be a Disability Confident Leader. We believe in creating an accessible and supportive environment, where every team member can thrive and contribute. Join us in our commitment to building a workplace that celebrates diversity and empowers all individuals to reach their full potential. We actively welcome applications from candidates with disabilities and are dedicated to making reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process to ensure equal access and opportunity for all.

We know that diverse teams drive innovation and deliver better outcomes. Research shows that people from underrepresented groups often hesitate to apply for roles unless they meet every requirement. If you’re excited about this opportunity but don’t meet every listed qualification, we still encourage you to apply anyway. Your unique experiences, perspectives, skills and most importantly your alignment with our culture and values could be exactly what we’re looking for.

We are committed to building an inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued, respected and supported to succeed.

If there is anything that might prevent you from applying for one of our roles, we want to help remove that barrier. Please contact our Talent team by calling 01473 228782 or emailing [e-mail].

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By applying to this job you agree you have read, understand and accept the content of the Privacy Notice – https://www.orwell-housing.co.uk/about-us/privacy-policy/ consent to the processing of your data as part of this application.

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