Community Support Assistant
15 hours per week | £13.45 per hour | Exmouth
Fixed-term contract to March 2029 (with potential extension)
Help people move from crisis towards stability, independence and hope.
Open Door Exmouth has been supporting local people for over 30 years. What began as a homeless drop-in has grown into a multi-service charity providing practical support, trusted relationships and opportunities for people to thrive. Today, our services include a Community Café, Support Service, Parent Hub, Youth Service, Community Craft Room and Men's Shed. Rooted in Christian values, we are committed to creating safe, welcoming and non-judgemental spaces for everyone who walks through our doors.
We're looking for a compassionate and motivated Community Support Assistant to join our growing team. Through the Government's Ending Homelessness in Communities Fund, we are expanding our homelessness and support services and developing a new five-day Support Hub. This role will be central to helping people access the support they need at the right time.
Working across our Open Door building, the new Support Hub and within the local community, you will support people experiencing homelessness, housing insecurity, poor mental health, poverty, isolation and other complex challenges. You will build trusted relationships, provide practical and emotional support, assist with tenancy sustainment, undertake needs assessments and help people access housing, health, wellbeing and community services.
What you'll be doing
- Deliver practical, emotional and person-centred support to individuals with complex needs.
- Support tenancy sustainment, crisis prevention and positive life changes.
- Assess needs, identify risks and signpost people to appropriate services.
- Work across Open Door, the Support Hub and community settings.
- Help create safe, welcoming and trauma-informed environments.
- Maintain accurate case notes, outcomes data, case studies and impact records.
- Work collaboratively with colleagues, volunteers and partner agencies.
We're looking for someone who has
- Experience supporting vulnerable adults, young people or families.
- Experience working with people who have complex or multiple needs.
- An understanding of homelessness, housing insecurity and multiple disadvantage.
- Strong communication and relationship-building skills.
- Good IT skills and the ability to maintain accurate records.
- The ability to assess needs, identify risks and signpost appropriately.
- A compassionate, resilient and non-judgemental approach.
It would be helpful if you also have
- Experience of homelessness or housing-related support.
- Knowledge of local statutory and voluntary sector services.
- Understanding of trauma-informed practice and mental health support.
- Experience of tenancy sustainment, advocacy or community outreach work.
Why join Open Door?
- Opportunity to make a meaningful difference in people's lives every day.
- Supportive team culture rooted in compassion, dignity and practical action.
- Varied and rewarding role across multiple settings and communities.
- Regular supervision, guidance and support.
- 6.6 weeks' annual leave, including bank holidays.
- 6% employer pension contribution.
- Ongoing training and development opportunities.
How to apply
To apply, please email [email protected] to request a Candidate Information Pack and Application Form.
Open Door Exmouth is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. The successful candidate will be subject to an Enhanced DBS check and satisfactory references.
Job Type: Part-time
Pay: £13.45 per hour
Benefits:
Experience:
- supporting vulnerable people with complex needs: 1 year (required)
Work authorisation:
- United Kingdom (required)
Work Location: In person
