Movie depictions of homelessness have found a special place in our hearts recently.
We’ve laughed at the street-smart moggy in A Street Cat Named Bob, enjoyed the giggles and tears of Dame Maggie Smith’s The Lady in the Van and been moved by the harsh world of I, Daniel Blake.
As well as reawakening our consciousness to the problem, these big screen stories have also turned the spotlight on efforts to reduce homelessness – and the kinds of people needed to do it.
Working with the homeless can take various forms: as a social worker, homelessness officer, outreach worker or a volunteer in a shelter or charity.
Regular vacancies on s1jobs include project workers, refugee resettlement officers, homelessness prevention officers and charity fundraisers.
The really good news is the career paths that lead to these jobs are as varied as the roles themselves.
Some applicants may have studied relevant social care degrees, others come to the role from working in other areas of the care sector or volunteering.
Although degrees or qualifications in social administration, management, or business can be useful, a proven commitment to tackling homelessness, either through paid or voluntary work, is often more important.
An understanding of homelessness legislation and housing law are also gold stars in your CV.
So what’s it all about? Well, a homelessness officer helps people who are living rough or threatened with losing their home.
Their main mission is to keep roofs over heads or arrange alternative accommodation, but can also include offering advice on benefits and financial difficulties, compiling hostel data, and organising fundraising and publicity.
A project worker’s role, meanwhile, is often more hands-on. They can be found at an emergency homeless shelter, for instance, offering support and security to young people and adults, some of whom may have mental health, alcohol or drug issues.
They might also work at refuge centres, helping women and children escaping domestic abuse.
A refugee resettlement officer is one of the newer and more high-profile roles, and is increasingly vital as Scotland honours its commitment to take in families from trouble spots around the globe.
This involves offering housing support and practical assistance to those arriving here.
There’s no doubt working in the homelessness sector is challenging – this means positivity and optimism are great personal qualities to have, along with tact and sensitivity.
Beyond the salary – usually around £24,000 or higher with experience – the real rewards come from the satisfaction of helping the vulnerable section.
Want to put homelessness at the heart of your career? s1jobs can help you with the latest vacancies in Social Care and Housing.