Waking Night Support Worker

Employer: The Society of St James

Position: Waking Night Support Worker
Salary: £28,140 per year
Job Type: Full-time | Permanent
Work location: Southampton Street Intensive Hostel, Southampton SO15 2ED (in person)

FULL JOB DESCRIPTION

As a Waking Night Support Worker at The Society of St James’ Southampton Street Intensive Hostel, you will provide overnight stability, safety, and support to vulnerable adults experiencing homelessness, problematic substance use, and mental health challenges. Working 8pm-8am on a 4 days on/4 days off rota, you will maintain a secure environment, follow individual risk management plans, and encourage healthy lifestyle choices to help residents rebuild stable lives and transition toward independence. This vital role ensures residents feel protected during their most vulnerable hours in a person-centred sanctuary for those with complex histories.

The Society of St James, a dynamic Hampshire charity with over 50 years’ experience, takes calculated risks to house and support society’s most excluded members, believing every person has worth. Your professional presence and empathy will directly impact clients’ journeys out of homelessness.

Your Responsibilities include:

• Maintain a safe, secure hostel environment overnight, monitoring access and following health/safety protocols.

• Adhere strictly to individual risk assessment plans and safeguarding procedures for vulnerable adults.

• Engage effectively with residents, listening and communicating to provide reassurance and support.

• Encourage positive lifestyle choices and de-escalate challenging behaviours calmly and professionally.

• Complete accurate records, professional correspondence, and IT-based reporting during shifts.

• Manage lone working procedures and respond resiliently to difficult situations.

Work Schedule

Full-time permanent, 8pm-8am night shifts.

Rota: 4 days on, 4 days off.

In person at Southampton SO15 2ED hostel.

You Will Have 

• Strong communication, literacy, and IT skills for professional correspondence and record-keeping.

• Resilience to remain calm under pressure and handle challenging behaviours effectively.

• Firm grasp of risk management, lone working, and equality/diversity principles.

• Desirable: Experience with homelessness, mental health, substance misuse support.

• Empathetic, professional approach encouraging healthy lifestyle choices.

Requirements

• Right to work in the UK.

• Availability for waking night shifts (8pm-8am, 4 on/4 off rota).

• Understanding of safeguarding vulnerable adults and health/safety protocols.

Benefit

• £28,140 annual salary.

• 25 days annual leave rising to 30 days, plus public holidays and option to buy additional leave.

• Company pension scheme.

• Cycle to work scheme.

• Employee discount on laptops/computers.

• Comprehensive induction/training and Employee Assistance Programme (counselling, financial, wellbeing support).

• Flexible working options.

Applications close Friday 27th March 2026 (may close early due to high volume).

Send CV and cover letter explaining your suitability to the posted contact. If no response within 14 days of closing date, assume unsuccessful. 

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Application Process

if you’re interested in this role, check out more information on the OFFICAL WEBSITE HERE and apply now.