Job Description

: Night Shelter Support Worker

Job Title:

Night Shelter Support Worker

Responsible to:

Night Shelter Co-ordinator

Responsible for:

Night Shelter Volunteers

Location:

Night Shelter Venue and KCAH office

Hours:

On a weekly rota basis, mainly late/over nights and mornings - inclusive of weekends

Salary: 26,000

Duration:

Fixed term contract starting November 2025 to the end of March 2026 with possible extension

JOB PURPOSE:

To operate as Shift Leader during the opening hours of the night shelter, managing a team of volunteers in order to ensure a safe and welcoming place for rough sleepers.

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES

Ensure premises are opened and prepared for a welcoming reception for service users and other callers, monitor admissions, supervise service user areas, monitor security and privacy and ensure that there is order and cleanliness

Manage a team of Night Shelter Volunteers, delegating tasks such as setting up, cleaning, cooking and serving food

Support volunteers during their shifts, ensuring they have an enjoyable and safe volunteering experience

Manage the immediate support needs of clients where needed, providing crisis intervention if necessary

Maintain and promote service user confidentiality; record service user statistical information and communicate information in the agreed manner

Support all colleagues in diffusing difficult and/or dangerous situations and seek outside assistance if necessary

Ensure that service users adhere to the boundaries and respect the rules of the shelter; be able to challenge in an assertive, yet sympathetic way, any disruptive and/or unacceptable behaviour, doing so in a manner that balances the needs of the individual alongside the safety of the service

Address any incidents or concerns; respond appropriately to minimise the impact on others and prevent escalation

Ensure that there are no fire risks and that exits are clear from obstruction at all times, supervising a volunteer team to ensure the safe evacuation of premises in the event of a fire

Communicate and implement decisions made as part of a staff team

Ensure that premises are left in a clean and safe condition as agreed with the premises manager, carrying out regular environment checks, taking appropriate actions to report any issues

Ensure and maintain a good working relationship with venue/facilities staff.

Keep updated stock lists and report to the Night Shelter Coordinator when stock needs replenishing

Have an understanding of the needs of both the service users and the volunteers, working in an empathetic and flexible manner using assessment and evaluation skills

PLANNING AND ORGANISING

Determine effective use of time and plan own workload whilst on shift

Anticipate and have plans in place for busy or chaotic periods

To complete training as required

PROBLEM SOLVING

Consider the best approach to dealing with emergencies at the shelter

In consultation with KCAH staff, consider appropriate responses to complaints

DECISION MAKING

Make decisions on whether a guest is welcome in the building or should be asked to leave if they are being disruptive

Make decisions in emergency situations in line with procedures that are set out

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

To carry out any cleaning tasks and ensure acceptable standards of hygiene are maintained

To deal with any first aid issues

To ensure that all areas excluded from guests are kept locked at all times

To attend weekly staff meetings

To develop an understanding and knowledge of the organisation and the variety of services provided

To undertake any other duties, as directed by the line manager, that may reasonably fall within the scope of the post

COMMUNICATIONS AND WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

To be a good team player and work constructively with colleagues and managers in all aspects of the post holder's work. Contribute positively to meetings such as supervision, appraisal, team meetings and training events

To maintain a professional approach to all communications with external agencies

OTHER RELEVANT INFORMATION

Holiday entitlement will accrue during the contract period (including annual and public holidays). It is preferable that holiday leave is paid at the end of the contract period; any requests during the period will be considered but must be viable for the scheme and approved by the Night Shelter Coordinator.

Job Types: Full-time, Fixed term contract
Contract length: 5 months

Pay: 26,000.00 per year

Benefits:

Company pension Employee discount Referral programme
Education:

GCSE or equivalent (preferred)
Experience:

support work: 1 year (preferred)
Language:

English (preferred)
Work Location: In person