Search

Housing Support Practitioner

Action for Children
locationHaddington EH41, UK
PublishedPublished: Published today
Full Time
Job Description

Job title: Housing Support Practitioner
Salary: £26,000 per annum (£26,200 per annum, effective 1st April)
Location: Roles in Haddington or Edinburgh
Contract/Hours: Permanent / Full Time - 37 hours per week (rota pattern including some weekends). We're also open to Part Time and casual hours

Closing date for applications is midnight of 31st March and interviews are scheduled to take place on 7th April

Benefits:
  • Over 7 weeks inclusive paid leave and the option to buy or sell leave
  • Excellent training and the opportunity to undertake professional training for some roles
  • Flexible maternity, paternity and adoption packages
  • Up to 5% employer contribution and life assurance cover
  • Blue Light Card eligibility with discounts at 15,000 national retailers
At Action for Children, we offer more than just a job. Join us and you'll be part of a team dedicated to giving children safe and happy childhoods. See how your skills can make a real difference, helping solve the problems children and young people face every day.

A bit about the role

Are you someone who loves making meaningful connections and supporting young people to thrive? We're looking for caring, energetic individuals who bring a positive attitude and a genuine commitment to giving the best care to children and young people. You don't need lots of experience or qualifications, what matters most is your compassion, enthusiasm, and willingness to learn.

As a Housing Support Practitioner, you'll play a key role in helping young adults build confidence, independence and life skills. You'll support daily routines, personal care, and medication, but you'll also bring joy and adventure into everyday life. Think walks in the park, swimming, surfing, exploring new places, and celebrating the small wins that mean so much.

You'll help shape personalised care plans, support decision-making, and be a trusted presence as young people work toward their goals. This is a role where you'll witness real growth, theirs and your own, and where every day offers new opportunities to make a meaningful difference.

About the Service

Our Housing Support and Care at Home service empowers young adults to live independently in their own homes and communities. Right now, we're privileged to support two amazing young people - a young man and a young woman - who each have their own tenancies. They live with learning disabilities and sometimes experience behaviours that challenge, but they're full of personality, potential, and a love for life.

With 2:1 support, we help them navigate daily living while encouraging independence, confidence, and self-expression. We believe that behaviour is communication, and our approach is rooted in listening, understanding, and responding with compassion.

You'll be joining a team that celebrates progress, values creativity, and is committed to providing safe, person-centred, empowering support. It's a place where your work truly matters and where you'll help young people feel safe, seen, and supported as they build their futures.

What you do could make a difference

Some key responsibilities of a Housing Support Practitioner are;
  • Building strong, respectful relationships with young people, their families, and your team
  • Staying alert and responsive to safeguarding and child protection policies
  • Helping young people grow into confident, happy, and healthy adults
  • Focusing on solutions and celebrating strengths, even in challenging moments
  • Creating safe, nurturing environments where young people feel heard and supported
  • Reporting concerns appropriately and always putting safety and wellbeing first
Let's talk about you
  • A positive approach, providing a fun environment for the young people in our care.
  • Ideally, you'll have an HNC and SVQ Level 3 in a social care-related field (or a qualification that meets registration requirements) - but if not, we'll support you if you're committed to working towards them.
  • Ability to manage difficult situations.
  • Willingness to participate in relevant on the job or off site training
  • Providing support and care
  • A commitment to working on rota pattern, which includes weekends and some bank holidays.
Why Action for Children?

Every child should have a loving home, food, warmth, the chance to grow and learn - the support to cope with life's challenges. But too many children don't. By bringing your passion and unique skills and experience, you'll help us change that where it really matters.

We've been driven by love to take action for children for over 150 years, giving them the protection and practical help they need. A lot's changed since 1869. But what children really need, hasn't. So as long as children need us, we'll be here.

Will you join us?

Contact: Laura McCarthy at recruitmentservice@actionforchildren.org.uk quoting reference 12833

Diversity, equality and inclusion

We work hard to create an inclusive environment. One where individuality is celebrated and where everyone feels valued and supported. Because when we come together, with skills like yours, we're capable of amazing things.

We actively encourage applications from people with Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic backgrounds and people with a disability, as these groups are under-represented within Action for Children.

Men are currently under-represented within our Children Service roles. We'd like to change that. So, we really encourage men to apply for any of our Children Service roles.

Please note we are unable to offer visa sponsorship for this role.

Want to get to know Action for Children better?

Job description

Action for Children Employee Benefits

AfC Commitment Statement

Find us on X, Linkedin, Facebook or YouTube to get to know us better.