19 February 2024
New Publication: Housing Support Workers in Scotland
HSEU has published a new briefing looking at the role of housing support workers in Scotland and the need to ensure significant recognition for the role.

A new publication from the Housing Support Enabling Unit highlights the varied and valuable role of housing support workers in Scotland.
The briefing explores the work undertaken by housing support workers, their qualifications and professional development, and the scope of the role through case studies informed by conversations with housing support workers working in different services across Scotland. The briefing has been written to improve understanding and recognise the experience and skill associated with the role.
‘Housing support workers can help people access health or social care services, support people to become involved in activities, and assist people to achieve their own goals.’
The briefing concludes that the expertise, passion, and enthusiasm of housing support workers underpins high-quality relationship-based support. This support enables people to live independently in their homes and communities, and therefore must be properly recognised and championed. It is important that services are sustainably funded to a level where the workforce can be supported through pay, training, and professional development. Without sustainable funding of services, support providers struggle with the recruitment and retention of housing support workers that underpin high-quality support.
In response to the publication, Amanda Miller, Director of Community Services Eildon Housing Association and Chair of the Unit’s Executive Committee says …. ‘as health, social care and housing face unprecedented demand and pressure, it is more important than ever to understand the role that housing support workers play in helping people to live and thrive in their communities. Our ask of policy makers is to ensure sufficient recognition of the role and adequate funding is in place so that everyone has access to these services when they need them.’