About us
Based in London, Glass Door coordinates the UK’s largest network of open-access services for people facing or experiencing homelessness.
Since 1999, thousands of people have found safe shelter and the support needed to leave homelessness behind.
Open access means that anyone experiencing or at risk of homelessness can turn to Glass Door regardless of who they are or where they are from. We offer a variety of services and not all our services are right for everyone, but no one will be turned away without an offer of support.
We provide year-round advice through our team of expert caseworkers and coordinate
London’s largest emergency winter shelter network. Our shelter and support services save lives and create a route out of homelessness for good.
We are an independent charity that receives no funding that would impede our open access policy. It is thanks to the support and partnership of individuals, churches, community groups, businesses and trusts and foundations that we can continue to provide shelter and support to those who need it most.
What we do
Shelter
Every winter, we work closely with community centres and churches in West London who provide space for a sleeping area for our guests. Our shelters operate from a different venue every night of the week. We have three shelters operating nightly in the boroughs of Kensington and Chelsea, Hammersmith and Fulham and Wandsworth. The shelters accommodate around 35 guests each night.
We provide basic sleeping bags and mats and offer a hot evening meal. Our guests leave in the morning after a hot breakfast and we then close the shelter, removing all equipment ready for setting up in the evening.
Advice and Support
Year-round, anyone in need can speak with dedicated caseworkers who offer advice, advocacy and practical support. Guests can access the advice and support service either from our partner day centre drop-ins or, during the winter, from our emergency night shelters. Guests can also find other services provided by the drop-ins, such as lunch, laundry and showers.
Our vision is a future where no one has to sleep on the streets of London.
Thank you for your interest in this role - we're so glad you'd like to join our team.
Outlined further in this pack is the job description and person specification, the main terms for the role and a summary of our recent impact.
We foster a diverse and inclusive culture and welcome applicants from all backgrounds. We particularly welcome applications from people with lived experience of homelessness. When you apply for a role with Glass Door, we will ask you to complete an Equality and Diversity Monitoring Form. Doing so is voluntary and the information provided will be kept confidential and used for monitoring purposes only.
If you have any accessibility requirements, or require the application pack in a different format, please get in touch by emailing recruitment@glassdoor.org.uk
About you
We are looking to recruit exceptional individuals with an open, collaborative style and a practical, can-do approach to provide a nightly service vital for our guests.
While experience of working within the homelessness sector or with similarly vulnerable people would be desirable, an understanding of the needs of people experiencing homelessness and working in a compassionate and flexible manner is more important and essential.
Flexibility is required, as you will be working a shift rota that will include weekends and public holidays. Due to the vulnerable group you will be working with, you will be asked to undergo an enhanced DBS check as part of our safeguarding measures prior to appointment.
We value diversity and welcome all, in particular those with life experience and lived experience.
Location: On site – at Glass Door Night shelter venues in the boroughs of Kensington & Chelsea, Hammersmith & Fulham and Wandsworth
Contract date: Late October to early April 2025
Reporting to: Service Manager
Shifts: 5 hours per evening (5pm to 10pm) shift working 2 to 5 shifts per week (part time or full-time hours considered), with additional hours available.
Salary: £19.90 per hour
Job specification
- The day-to-day operation and management of nights shelters in West and Southwest London.
- Maintaining a friendly, supportive environment and cultivating positive relationships with guests, colleagues and volunteers.
- Welcoming and inducting new guests into the shelter by explaining the shelter policies.
- Supporting volunteer teams at each venue to ensure the smooth running of the project and developing good communication with the Volunteer Co-ordinators.
- Diffusing difficult or dangerous situations and summon assistance when necessary. Training will be provided.
- Ensuring cleaning protocols are implemented by all staff, guests and volunteers.
- Maintaining guest attendance records and shift reports on our iPad-based In-From client relationship platform.
- Following best practice procedures for the security and safety of the guests and volunteers.
- Monitoring guest welfare throughout the shift and responding to any situations or emergencies that arise.
- Adhering to Glass Door’s operational and health & safety policies in all aspects of your work.
- Maintaining clear lines of communication with your colleagues including Overnight Project Workers, Caseworkers and Operations Manager.
- Conducting a nightly briefing for volunteers and staff before the shelter opens to guests.
- Undertaking any other duties to aid the good running of the project, as required by the Operations Manager.
- Attending regular meetings with caseworkers to share any relevant information including guest welfare, interactions and other important information.
- Attending 1 to 1 sessions with the Operations Manager on a fortnightly basis.
- Attending the winter services meetings.
- Accurately reporting observations, interactions, concerns and actions with guests to their caseworker using written reports.
- Ensuring the shelter van is kept well organised and stocks are well maintained.
- Supporting casework team with practical tasks related to guests’ day-to-day activities as requested.
- Flexibility is required, as you will be working a shift rota that includes weekends and public holidays.
- You will also be expected to attend other training sessions, team meetings and other activities as required.
Person specification
- Valid driver’s license and willingness to drive the shelter van.
- Commitment to providing an excellent service and to interact with shelter guests in a positive and respectful manner.
- An understanding of the needs of people experiencing homelessness and working in a compassionate and flexible manner.
- Ability to work as part of a team and be a supportive team member.
- Confidence in dealing with challenging behaviour.
- Excellent written and verbal communications skills.
- Ability to carry out manual handling tasks.
- Understanding of and commitment to Equal Opportunities.
Desirable
- Experience working within the homelessness sector or with similarly vulnerable people.
- Ability to speak additional languages including but not limited to Polish, Romanian, Arabic, Spanish, French, Bulgarian, Russian or Tigrinya.
- Lived experience of homelessness.
- An understanding and value of trauma informed care.
- Relevant training certificates (First aid, health & safety, fire Safety, conflict de-escalation).
Job Types: Full-time, Part-time, Fixed term contract
Contract length: 5 months
Pay: £19.90 per hour
Expected hours: 10 – 35 per week
Benefits:
- Company events
- Company pension
- Health & wellbeing programme
- Sick pay
Schedule:
- Monday to Friday
- Weekend availability
Ability to commute/relocate:
- West / Southwest London: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)
Licence/Certification:
- Manual Driving Licence (required)
Work Location: In person