Homelessness Waking Night Support Worker – The Society of St James, Portsmouth

Homelessness Waking Night Support Worker

Portsmouth Rough Sleeping Night Service

42 hours per week, fixed term to 31st March 2027

4 nights on / 4 nights off, working hours 8pm – 8am

Salary scale:  20 (£29,453 per annum for 42 hrs pw – pro-rated from £25,947 per annum FTE), plus unsocial premium

About Us

This is an exciting opportunity to join a dynamic Charity and Housing Association.  The Society of St James (SSJ) has been working in Hampshire for over 50 years, delivering high impact, person-centred, accommodation services to adults and young people experiencing homelessness, problematic substance use and mental health problems. We believe that every person is of worth and we are prepared to take risks to house and support the most at risk and socially excluded members of society.

The Impact You'll Make

The Society wishes to recruit a Waking Night Support Worker to work in a new Night Service in Portsmouth. Here we offer a wide range of support to people with histories of homelessness, substance and alcohol use, poor mental ill health and other complex needs. 

We're Looking For

• Experience and knowledge of the needs of vulnerable people with histories of homelessness, alcohol/substance dependency and poor mental ill health


• Experience of working with people with histories of homelessness, poor mental ill health and substance use


• Experience of dealing with challenging and dangerous behaviour


• Awareness and understanding of health and safety


• Understanding of safeguarding for vulnerable adults


• Knowledge of lone working procedures and staying safe at work

Essential Skills and Qualities

• Knowledge and understanding of equality and diversity with respect to staff and clients


• Ability to listen and communicate effectively with clients


• Ability to adhere to risk assessments and follow risk management plans


• Literacy and IT skills sufficient to demonstrate the ability to write letters and emails


• Ability to encourage clients to make healthy lifestyle choices


• Ability to remain calm in difficult situations

What we can offer you

We value and recognise our staff, offering some generous benefits, as well as the satisfaction of helping people at risk:

• A competitive annual leave entitlement of 25 days rising to 30 days, plus public holidays


• Flexible working options


• Buying additional annual leave


• Comprehensive induction and training


• Counselling, financial, personal support and health and wellbeing services via our Employee Assistance Programme


• Company cycle to work scheme


• Discounted laptops and computers with Jamie’s Computers


• Electric Car Scheme


• Blue Light Card

To apply, please send your CV & cover letter explaining why you would be suitable for the position.

SSJ are an equal opportunity employer and we encourage applicants from all backgrounds and walks of life.

At SSJ, we recognise the benefits of a supported workplace. SSJ is affiliated with Unite the Union. To learn more about their membership benefits or to sign up, you can visit their official website.

Application closing date: Friday 6^th November 2026

Interview date: TBC

Due to the high number of expected applicants, we do reserve the right to close this vacancy earlier.

Should you not hear from us within 14 days of the closing date, please assume you have been unsuccessful on this occasion. 

1. Cycle to work scheme


2. Discounted laptops and computers with Jamie’s Computers


3. Employer pension contributions via salary sacrifice


4. Flexible working opportunities


5. Counselling, financial, personal support, and health and well-being services via our Employee Assistance Programme