5300819 – Support And Engagement Worker

Carrington Blake Recruitment; Tees Valley; On-site; GBP 21,000 - 27,000; Full time

Job summary

Middlesbrough Council is seeking a Support and Engagement Worker to provide help to people with substance use issues, often with housing, mental health or offending history. You will engage across community settings including prisons and courts, undertake home visits and outreach, using trauma-informed, person‑centred approaches to reduce barriers to treatment.

You will work within Adult Social Care and Health Integration – Prevention, Access and Provider Services, collaborating with partners,

Qualifications

• GCSE/NVQ level education or equivalent.
• Full UK driving licence and access to own transport.
• Experience supporting vulnerable people in voluntary or paid role.
• Experience of risk assessment and safeguarding.
• Experience using information and case-load management systems.
• Knowledge of local services and ability to work with partners.
• Good interpersonal and communication skills.
• Strong time management and organisational skills.
• Experience using IT tools: Word, email, databases.
• Understanding of trauma and its impact on access to support.
• Commitment to the aims of the service.
• Flexible to meet service demands.

Responsibilities

• Carry out assessments and harm minimisation or brief interventions.
• Implement suitable support plans based on identified needs.
• Conduct risk assessments and implement risk management measures.
• Proactively engage with service users through home visits and outreach.
• Identify barriers to treatment and develop practical solutions.
• Support access to housing, welfare rights, health services and advocacy.
• Work multi-agency with colleagues and upskill partner services.
• Record progression and ensure up-to-date copies of plans and safety plans.
• Attend supervision regularly and pursue CPD.
• Work within professional boundaries.
• Carry out other duties as required.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Communication skills

Time management

Organisational skills

IT literacy

Teamwork

Trauma-informed care

Risk assessment

Education

GCSE/NVQ level

Tools

Microsoft Word

Email

Database systems

Job description

Post Title: Support and Engagement Worker

Directorate and Service: Adult Social Care and Health Integration – Prevention, Access and Provider Services

Purpose of the Post: This purpose of this post is to provide support to people with substance use issues. Clients may also have additional needs such as housing issues, re‑offending behaviour, mental ill health and/or physical ill health and disabilities. The role will work flexibly to support people in a way which increases opportunities for engagement – providing support across a wide range of community settings including prisons, courts, other agencies, and partner services. It will also involve proactive street engagement, home visits, and appointments in community locations. A key focus of the role is to reduce barriers to treatment and promote positive engagement, ensuring that even the most marginalised individuals are supported to access the help and opportunities they need. In undertaking duties, the post holder will use a trauma informed strength‑based approach to enable a person to access the services they need in order to improve their quality of life and achieve recovery. The post holder will be working with people who may present with behaviours that challenge, and which may make it difficult for them to establish relationships at any level and may have a history of offending and increased risk of reoffending. The post holder will be working as part of a dedicated team in Middlesbrough Council and must be effective team players, experienced in multi‑agency working and committed to providing outstanding customer care while demonstrating tangible outcomes.

Duties and Responsibilities

1. Carry out assessments, harm minimisation, or brief interventions in a variety of settings, including community services and criminal justice environments.
2. Implement suitable support plans based on needs identified during service user interactions.
3. Conduct risk assessments and implement risk management measures where appropriate.
4. Proactively engage with service users through home visits, community appointments, and outreach to facilitate access to treatment and support, and re‑engage individuals where needed.
5. Identify and address barriers to treatment, developing practical solutions to enhance accessibility and provide effective support.
6. Support service users to access providers of specialist advice where appropriate, such as housing, welfare rights, health services, advocacy services, and other community groups.
7. Work collaboratively in a multi‑agency context, taking a lead professional role where required, supporting colleagues from other agencies, and upskilling partner services to improve engagement and support for service users.
8. Work with service users to accurately record and maintain their progression, records, and plans, ensuring they have regular, up‑to‑date copies of their support plan and safety plan.
9. Attend supervision on a regular basis and commit to continuous professional development.
10. Working appropriately within professional boundaries
11. Carry out any other duties that may reasonably be required in line with the role and organisational needs.

Corporate Responsibilities

• We will make every reasonable effort to supply the necessary employment aids, equipment or adaptations to enable employees to perform the full duties of the job in accordance with the Equality Act 2010 where a post holder is disabled.
• Demonstrate a commitment to the principles of equality of opportunity and fairness of treatment in relation to employment issues and service delivery.
• Respect all confidentialities and principles and practices of the Data Protection Act.
• Comply with Health and Safety policies and legislation.
• Be committed to continuous personal development, including Middlesbrough learns.
• Demonstrate a commitment to the safeguarding of children and vulnerable adults, highlighting any areas of concern with the appropriate service and adhering to the policies of the Council relating to these issues.
• The above duties and responsibilities cannot totally encompass or define all tasks which may be required. The outlined duties and responsibilities may, therefore, vary from time to time without materially changing either the character or level of responsibility: these factors are reflected in the post.

Our Values

Our Values are a critical element of our strategy to create a brighter future for Middlesbrough. They will be at the heart of everything we do and will be the foundation for how we operate, behave and make decisions. Having these values will help you be the best you can be and help Middlesbrough to grow and thrive.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Essential

• A good level of general education to GCSE/NVQ level, ideally in relation to domestic substance misuse, domestic abuse and homelessness.
• Access to own transport and a full UK driving licence. Business Insurance is required prior to starting if not already in place.
• Experience of supporting people with vulnerabilities in either a voluntary or paid role.
• Experience of assessing and managing risk, including safeguarding concerns, and developing appropriate risk management plans.
• Experience of using / inputting on to information and case load management systems.
• A knowledge of local services and ability to work collaboratively with partners.
• Ability to demonstrate good interpersonal and communication skills.
• Effective time management and organisational skills.
• Experience of working with IT, particularly Microsoft Word and email and database systems.
• Strong understanding of trauma and impact trauma has on capacity to access support.
• An understanding and commitment to the aims and objectives of the service.
• Knowledge of safeguarding adult and children’s procedures.
• Work flexibly to meet the demands of the service.

Desirable

• A good level of general education to GCSE/NVQ level, ideally in relation to domestic substance misuse, domestic abuse and homelessness.
• Access to own transport and a full UK driving licence. Business Insurance is required prior to starting if not already in place.
• Experience of supporting people with vulnerabilities in either a voluntary or paid role.
• Experience of assessing and managing risk, including safeguarding concerns, and developing appropriate risk management plans.
• Experience of using / inputting on to information and case load management systems.
• A knowledge of local services and ability to work collaboratively with partners.
• Ability to demonstrate good interpersonal and communication skills.
• Effective time management and organisational skills.
• Experience of working with IT, particularly Microsoft Word and email and database systems.
• Strong understanding of trauma and impact trauma has on capacity to access support.
• An understanding and commitment to the aims and objectives of the service.
• Knowledge of safeguarding adult and children’s procedures.
• Work flexibly to meet the demands of the service.