We're looking for someone passionate about making a real difference - could that be you?

This isn't your typical office job. You'll be working with adults who are transitioning out of homelessness, helping them build the skills and confidence they need to thrive independently.

The role is employed through our partner charity The Kyem Initiative, but you'll be supporting René House residents across Nottinghamshire.

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What Does a Homelessness Support Worker Do?

A Homelessness Support Worker role is not a care role, and it's definitely not about ticking boxes or filling out endless paperwork. This job is about building genuine relationships and empowering people to take control of their lives.

Your day might start with a one-on-one session helping someone create their first proper budget in years. You could find yourself traveling with a resident to their first job interview, providing that crucial moral support they need. Maybe you'll be facilitating a life skills workshop, watching someone discover they can actually cook a proper meal from scratch.

The work involves supporting people with practical stuff like tenancy management, budgeting, and accessing community services. But the real magic happens in the relationship-building - being there when someone needs to talk through a challenge, celebrating wins (however small), and helping people remember what they're capable of.

You'll be traveling between different properties across Nottinghamshire, meeting residents where they are rather than expecting them to come to you. It's hands-on, community-based work that directly connects you to the people you're supporting.

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Why Nottingham Needs More Support Workers Right Now

The demand for homelessness support in Nottingham has grown significantly. More people are transitioning out of homelessness, which is great news, but it means they need quality support to make sure that transition sticks.

Getting someone housed is just the beginning. Without proper support, people can end up back where they started. That's where skilled support workers make all the difference, providing the guidance and encouragement that helps people build sustainable, independent lives.

Organisations like René House and The Kyem Initiative are expanding their services to meet this demand, creating genuine career opportunities for people who want to do work that matters. This isn't a sector that's going anywhere - the need for skilled, compassionate support workers will only continue to grow.

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What We're Looking For

While previous experience in support work is always valuable, it's not essential for this role. We're much more interested in who you are as a person and what you can offer our team and our residents. Here's what actually matters to us:

✔️ You're a natural communicator: You can chat with anyone, from all walks of life. You're a good listener, and you know how to have difficult conversations without making people feel judged or uncomfortable.

✔️ You see potential in everyone: Even when someone's going through their toughest time, you can see past their current circumstances to recognise their strengths and possibilities.

✔️ You're resilient but not hardened: This work can be emotionally challenging at times, so you need to be able to process difficult situations without becoming overwhelmed. But you also need to stay open and empathetic.

✔️ You're practical and solution-focused: When someone's facing a problem, you're the type of person who helps them figure out their options rather than just sympathising.

✔️ You understand different backgrounds: Nottingham is incredibly diverse, and you'll work with people from all sorts of cultural backgrounds. Being culturally aware and sensitive is crucial.

✔️ You're flexible and adaptable: No two residents are the same, so you need to be able to adjust your approach based on what each person needs.

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A Day in the Life

Want to know what you'd actually be doing day-to-day? Here's some examples of what life as a Homelessness Support Worker might look like...

➀ Your morning might start with checking in on a resident who's been struggling with anxiety about an upcoming benefits assessment. You'll spend time talking through their concerns and helping them prepare.

➁ Mid-morning, you could be traveling with another resident to a GP appointment - not because they can't go alone, but because having someone there makes the difference between them attending or missing it due to social anxiety.

➂ Lunch might be spent facilitating a budgeting workshop, helping a small group of residents understand how to make their money stretch further while still enjoying life.

➃ The afternoon could involve visiting a resident who's just started a new job, celebrating this massive milestone and talking through any challenges they're facing in the workplace.

➄ You'll end the day updating records and planning next week's support sessions, making sure everyone's getting the right level of help at the right time.

It's varied, it's rewarding, and it's never boring!

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What's In It for You?

Let's talk about the practical stuff.

We're offering a competitive salary with 37.5 hours per week, Monday to Friday with flexitime arrangements. You'll get a company pension, travel reimbursement (essential since you'll be moving between properties), and proper support for your professional development.

But the real benefits go beyond the salary. You'll be part of a small, dedicated team that genuinely cares about the work we do. You'll get regular supervision and support, because we know this work can be emotionally demanding.

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The Realities of being a Homelessness Support Worker

We should be upfront about the challenges. This isn't easy work. You'll meet people who've been through incredibly difficult experiences, and sometimes progress feels frustratingly slow.

You'll need a full UK driving license and access to your own car - this is non-negotiable given the travel requirements. You'll be working across multiple locations, so you need to be comfortable with being mobile rather than office-based.

Some days will be emotionally tough. You might have a resident who's struggling with setbacks, or you might need to have difficult conversations about someone's behavior or choices.

But here's what makes it worth it: you'll also have days where someone tells you they've got their first job in years, or they've reconnected with estranged family, or they've simply realised they deserve better for themselves. Those moments make everything else worthwhile.

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Why Choose Us?

René House isn't just another housing provider. We genuinely believe in the power of social connection and community support. Our approach isn't about managing people or keeping them stable - it's about empowering them to thrive.

Working with us means being part of an organisation that sees beyond people's immediate circumstances to their potential. We invest in our residents, and we invest in our staff too.

The Kyem Initiative, our partner charity that employs support workers, was specifically created to deliver high-quality support services. You'll be joining a new, dynamic organisation that's committed to doing things right.

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Ready to Apply?

If this sounds like the kind of work that would genuinely excite you, we'd love to hear from you. Previous experience is desirable but not essential - we value passion and life experience just as much as formal qualifications.

The role is available now, and we're looking to fill it quickly. You can find full details and apply here: https://uk.indeed.com/job/homelessness-support-worker-1ffbdfdce0dd8a6d

Or get in touch directly at info@kyem.org.uk.

This is your chance to join a team that's making a real difference in Nottingham. We're not just talking about changing lives - we're actually doing it, one person at a time.

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