Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP) Coordinator

We have an exciting opportunity for a SWEP Coordinator to play a vital role in delivering life-saving support to people experiencing homelessness during the coldest nights of the year.

Working in partnership with Brighton & Hove City Council and Change Grow Live (CGL), you will help provide a safe, warm and welcoming overnight shelter for up to 20 people at our First Base Day Centre when severe weather conditions are activated and temperatures are forecast to fall to 0°C or below.

This is a rewarding opportunity, ensuring some of the most vulnerable people have a place of safety when they need it most. You will lead a small team of bank staff and have the full support of your experienced line manager who will provide practical guidance, expertise and encouragement throughout each SWEP activation, ensuring you have the resources and support needed to deliver this essential service effectively.

Alongside a dedicated team of Bank Cover Workers, you will help create a welcoming environment where people feel safe, respected and cared for, while gaining valuable experience in homelessness services and emergency provision. If you are compassionate, calm under pressure and passionate about helping others, this could be an incredibly fulfilling role for you.

Position: Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP) Coordinator
Location: Brighton, First Base Day Centre
Salary: £28,608 per annum
Hours: Average of 37 hours per week (the role will include Waking Night Shifts)
Contract: Fixed-Term Contract until 31st March 2027
Closing Date: Sunday 27th September 2026 at 23:59
Interview Date: Wednesday 30th September 2026

About:

As a SWEP Coordinator, you will play a vital role in delivering life-saving support to people experiencing homelessness during the coldest nights of the year, working for a people-led organisation whose mission and values are to inspire change across Sussex.

About the Service:

BHT Sussex works in partnership with Brighton & Hove City Council (BHCC) and Change Grow Live (CGL) to deliver Group SWEP (Severe Weather Emergency Protocol) provision for people experiencing homelessness during periods of severe weather.

Group SWEP provides emergency overnight accommodation in a congregate (group) setting, ensuring that individuals at risk of rough sleeping have access to a safe place to stay, food, and essential support during severe weather events. The service is delivered collaboratively, bringing together statutory and voluntary sector partners to meet the immediate needs of vulnerable people and help connect them to longer-term support services.

About the Role:

The SWEP Coordinator will play a key role in the planning, coordination, and delivery of Group SWEP provision during periods when the outside weather is zero degrees and SWEP is activated.

Working closely with BHCC, CGL, security staff, and BHT Sussex colleagues, the SWEP Coordinator will ensure the service operates safely, effectively, and compassionately. The role combines operational planning, partnership working, and direct service delivery.

The SWEP Coordinator will be responsible for organising staffing arrangements, maintaining essential supplies, coordinating partners, and participating directly in the overnight delivery of the service as part of a team of three staff members on each operational night.

Key Responsibilities:

• Coordinate the planning and operational delivery of Group SWEP provision when activated.

• Develop and manage staff rotas, ensuring adequate staffing levels are maintained throughout SWEP periods.

• Arrange and book staff to cover all operational shifts.

• Participate in the overnight delivery of SWEP as part of a team of three staff members on each operational night.

• Ensure sufficient supplies of food, bedding, sleeping equipment, and other essential resources are available and replenished as required.

• Liaise with security staff to ensure a safe and welcoming environment for clients, staff, and visitors.

• Work collaboratively with BHCC, CGL, and other partner organisations to ensure the smooth and effective running of the service.

• Support individuals accessing SWEP provision with dignity, respect, and a trauma-informed approach.

• Maintain accurate records and ensure appropriate information sharing between partners in line with agreed protocols.

• Respond effectively to operational challenges and emergencies during SWEP activations.

• Ensure health and safety, safeguarding, fire safety, and other relevant procedures are followed at all times.

• Contribute to service reviews, debriefs, and the ongoing development of SWEP provision.

In Return:

In recognition of our commitment to staff, BHT Sussex has been awarded Gold Accreditation from Investors in People. We are also signed up to the Disability Confident employer scheme and have made the Mental Health at Work commitment.

You will also receive a fantastic benefits package including:

• 5.5% stakeholder pension scheme and life assurance scheme

• Medical cash plan with BHSF

• Access to BHT Sussex's Learning & Development platform

• Free and confidential employee assistance helpline for both personal and work-related concerns

• Cycle-to-work scheme

• Generous holiday allowance starting at 27 days per annum pro rata, rising by 1 day for each year of service to a maximum of 32 days pro rata

• The opportunity to participate in wellbeing and fundraising activities throughout the year

BHT Sussex is an equal opportunities employer using a fair and open recruitment process that fully complies with the requirements of the Equality Act 2010. We are committed to encouraging equality, equity, inclusion, and diversity within the workplace. As an employer, we are committed to promoting and supporting our people's social, physical, and psychological health at work. Please let us know if you require any special arrangements or reasonable adjustments if called for interview.

BHT Sussex welcomes applications from individuals with lived experience.

BHT Sussex reserves the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applicants for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.

An Enhanced DBS Check with Adults' Barred List check is required for all successful applicants as a condition of employment for this post.