Support Worker

Adult Homelessness Support Worker - Open Door (St Albans)

Full Time: 37.5 hours per week

Do you want to make a real difference in people’s lives? Open Door is a night shelter providing emergency accommodation for up to 12 single homeless people in St. Albans each night. We also offer a drop-in service for people who are street homeless.

The Open-Door staff team offer a trauma-informed, safe environment that is person-centred and supports those who come through our doors to get access to the help they need. This could include support to find move-on accommodation, claim benefits, counselling or signposting to specialist agencies for support with things like Mental Health, and drug and alcohol addictions.

We are seeking a Support Worker with the right values and behaviours who can encourage and nurture a positive workplace culture based on respect and dignity for those experiencing homelessness who need support.

As a Support Worker, you will:

• Assess needs and develop personalised support plans
• Promote independence through life skills such as cleaning, and budgeting
• Create risk assessments and safety management plans
• Support aspirations and help individuals achieve their goals
• Engage with residents in a variety of ways, including creative and informal approaches
• Support individuals to attend appointments and access external services
• Deliver trauma-informed support that recognises and responds to individual experiences
• Carry out regular building checks to ensure safety and security

Working hours:
This is a full-time position (37.5 hours per week) worked on a rota basis. You will be working with another Support Worker at all times, with shifts spread across weekdays and weekends.

Late shift: 2:00pm - 10:00pm

About you:
We are looking for someone who has a genuine interest in the people we support, who brings a can-do attitude and a genuine desire to help others thrive.

You will also need to:

• Communicate effectively and adapt to different needs and preferences
• Be flexible and reliable, able to work shifts including weekends and bank holidays
• Work well as part of a team and independently
• Be committed to equality, diversity, and person-centred care

Hightown Benefits:

• Generous annual leave allowance of 33 days per year, rising to 35 days with service
• £25,857 pa / 37.5 hour per week contract
• Workplace pension scheme and life assurance of three times your annual salary
• Fully paid DBS
• Annual bonus based on satisfactory performance
• Monthly attendance bonus and annual salary and cost of living review
• Ongoing professional development and training to help you deliver outstanding support
• Employee assistance helpline

Appointment to this position will be subject to satisfactory right to work, enhanced DBS, reference and medical checks. Unfortunately, we are unable to offer sponsorship for our roles.

We are an Equal Opportunities & Disability Confident Employer.