Sessional Worker – Changing Lives, Sunderland

About us

Changing Lives is a nationwide charity helping people facing the most challenging of circumstances to make positive change - for good. We believe that everyone deserves a safe home, a rewarding job and a life free from addiction or abuse. We know that given the right support, anyone can change their life for the better.

Our services across the country help thousands of people each year who are experiencing a wide range of complicated challenges, including homelessness, drug and alcohol addiction, unemployment, involvement with the criminal justice system, sexual exploitation and domestic abuse. By focusing on their strengths, potential and opportunities, we support the people we work with to overcome their problems and live safe, successful, independent lives.

Our charity is powered by over 600 passionate colleagues who bring a diverse and inclusive environment for our colleagues to grow. We are proud to say that many have actual lived experience of the challenges faced by those we support. We are looking for committed and compassionate professionals to join our team, who share our enthusiasm for changing lives.

Changing Lives work in an exclusive partnership with Brook Street Social Care, with over 20 years supporting the social care sector, Brook Street Social Care are expanding the flexible staffing talent pool and are looking for compassionate, committed individuals to join us in our mission to change lives.

About the Service - Housing & Homelessness Services

A safe home is the solid base from which you build your life. We support people who are experiencing homelessness, or at risk of becoming homeless, as well as providing specialist accommodation and outreach services for rough sleepers, veterans, survivors of domestic abuse, women and young people.

Accommodation to us doesn’t just mean a roof over your head and shelter from the elements. It needs to be a welcoming and flourishing environment, offering opportunities for all those we support to feel comfortable and develop. You can make a difference and support people on their journey towards a brighter future. At Changing Lives, we offer a home rather than just a shelter.

About the Job

Changing Lives currently delivers a number of housing and homelessness services in Sunderland, alongside specialist provision including services for women experiencing homelessness and people fleeing domestic abuse.

The Sunderland services support people with a wide range of needs and experiences. Individuals may have experienced rough sleeping, relationship breakdown, poverty, trauma, domestic abuse, mental health difficulties, substance misuse, offending or difficulties maintaining previous accommodation. Many people accessing our services have multiple and complex needs which require a flexible, trauma-informed and strengths-based approach.

Our accommodation includes a range of supported housing and dispersed accommodation, providing individuals with a safe environment from which they can begin to stabilise their circumstances and work towards their goals. Staff work alongside residents to develop individual support plans, build life skills, improve health and wellbeing, maximise income and benefits, manage accommodation and tenancy responsibilities, and access appropriate services and opportunities.

A key focus across the services is move-on and tenancy sustainment, supporting people to develop the skills, confidence and resilience required to live independently. This includes working closely with local authorities, housing providers, health services, probation, substance misuse services and other statutory and voluntary sector partners to ensure individuals receive coordinated support.