Housing Support Practitioner

Housing Support Practitioner
Salary: £26,200 per annum + sleep in allowance £2,607.15 per annum 
Location: Haddington 
Contract/Hours: Permanent / Full Time - 37 hours per week. Rota includes some weekends and one sleep‑in per week, with alternate weekends off. Shifts are 7am–2.30pm and 2pm–9.30pm

Closing date for applications is midnight of Monday 1st June

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

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. Many of the young people we support have complex needs and can display behaviours that may challenge, so you’ll need to be calm, patient and resilient. With the right support and training, you’ll learn how to respond in a way that keeps everyone safe, supported and respected.

You’ll help with daily routines, personal care and medication, but you’ll also bring joy and adventure into everyday life — from walks in the park and swimming, to surfing, exploring new places and celebrating the small wins that mean so much.

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 present behaviours that may 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.

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.
• Remaining calm, solution focused and strengths based, even during the most challenging moments.
• Creating safe, nurturing environments where young people feel heard, valued and supported.
• Reporting concerns appropriately and always putting safety and wellbeing first.
• Helping to shape personalised care plans, support decision making and being a trusted, steady presence as young people work toward their goals.

Let’s talk about you

• A positive, upbeat approach, helping to create a fun and engaging environment for the young people in our care.
• Ideally, you’ll hold an HNC and SVQ Level 3 in a social care related field (or an equivalent qualification that meets registration requirements). If not, we’ll fully support you to work towards these if you’re committed to completing them.
• The ability to stay calm, think clearly and manage difficult or challenging situations with confidence.
• A willingness to take part in all relevant training, whether on the job or off site, to build your skills and knowledge.
• Providing high quality support and care that promotes wellbeing, dignity and independence.
• A commitment to working a rota pattern, including weekends and some bank holidays, as part of a supportive and reliable team.

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 13140

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.

Want to get to know Action for Children better?

Job description

Action for Children Employee Benefits

AfC Commitment Statement

Management Competency Framework

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

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