Intensive Project Worker – The Society of St James, Southampton

Intensive Project Worker

Patrick House

Southampton

37 Hours per week

Salary Scale: 22 – 23 (£26,986 - £27,780 per annum)

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

As an Intensive Project Worker based at Patrick House, you will play a key role within SSJ's 24/7 Assessment & Intensive Homelessness Accommodation Service. You will deliver trauma-informed, strength-based support to individuals with complex needs, helping service users navigate harm reduction, support planning, keywork, life-skill development, and pathways toward independent living.

Who We're Looking For

We are seeking a compassionate, resilient, and self-motivated worker with experience supporting individuals with histories of homelessness, substance misuse, and mental health challenges. You should be adept at working calmly in challenging situations, building rapport through effective communication, and exercising initiative to manage risk and promote client recovery and independence.

Essential Skills and Qualities

·         Experience: Background in working with vulnerable adults facing homelessness, mental health problems, and substance misuse, including joint-agency work and developing structured support plans.

·         Knowledge: Sound understanding of trauma-informed practice, harm minimisation, overdose prevention, adult safeguarding, risk management, and health & safety in supported housing.

·         Core Skills: Strong interpersonal and active listening skills, effective written and IT skills (letters, reports, support plans), and good time management.

·         Personal Qualities: Professional self-awareness, compassion, ability to maintain boundaries, and capability to respond calmly and effectively to emergencies or challenging behaviour.

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

Please note: CVs alone will not be considered during shortlisting.

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 30^th October 2026 

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