Bridge The Gap Homeless Specialist Outreach Worker

St Peter's Church West Molesey; Molesey; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

A community support organization is seeking a compassionate Bridge the Gap Practitioner in Molesey to provide intensive outreach support to individuals experiencing homelessness. You will help build trust, co-produce support plans, and assist clients in accessing essential services. The ideal candidate should have a degree-level qualification or equivalent experience, alongside a passion for tackling poverty and supporting those facing multiple disadvantages. Opportunities for professional development and training are included.

Benefits

Thorough induction and trauma-informed training

Regular supervision with a Clinical Psychologist

Supportive team culture

Qualifications

• Experience in supporting and motivating individuals from diverse backgrounds.
• Experience working with adults facing multiple disadvantages.
• Confident in managing challenging behaviors and conflict.

Responsibilities

• Build relationships with individuals who are homeless or at risk.
• Provide intensive outreach support and develop support plans.
• Assist clients with life skills and accompany them to appointments.

Skills

Empathy

Compassion

Motivational skills

Adaptability

Education

Degree-level qualification or equivalent experience

Tools

Computer literate (email, documents, spreadsheets, online systems)

Job description

About St Peters West Molesey & Bridge the Gap

St Peters West Molesey is one of twelve VCSE partners delivering Surrey’s Changing Futures / Bridge the Gap service. Bridge the Gap supports people experiencing multiple disadvantage —including homelessness, rough sleeping, mental and physical health challenges, substance use, domestic abuse, offending behaviours, and other safeguarding concerns.

Using a holistic, trauma-informed and person-centred approach, we walk side by side with clients to help them stabilise their lives, regain control, and achieve meaningful change.

The Role

We are looking for a compassionate, motivated Bridge the Gap Practitioner to provide intensive outreach support to single people who are rough sleeping, homeless, or at risk of homelessness. Each individual is unique, and your work will reflect their personal goals, strengths, hopes, and aspirations.

You will build trusting relationships, co-produce person-centred plans (“My Story, Strengths and Hopes”), and offer practical, emotional, and advocacy support. Alongside system partners and multi-agency teams, you’ll help clients access the services they need to move towards stability and wellbeing.

This role includes reflective practice and clinical supervision with our resident Clinical Psychologist, ensuring your own wellbeing is prioritised.

Key Responsibilities

• Engagement & Support
  • Build relationships with people who are rough sleeping, homeless, or at risk of homelessness
  • Provide intensive, flexible outreach support
  • Develop co‑produced, person‑centred support plans
• Support clients to improve physical and mental wellbeing
  • Assist with life skills: budgeting, tenancy sustainment, accessing services, education, employment, community living
  • Accompany clients to appointments and services (“walking shoulder to shoulder”)
• Housing & Practical Support
  • Work towards securing and sustaining stable accommodation
  • Support clients with benefits, daily living tasks, and referrals to specialist services
  • Coordinate multi‑agency involvement based on client needs
• Safety, Risk, and Compliance
  • Complete and implement positive risk assessments
  • Assess client safety and welfare on an ongoing basis
  • Maintain accurate, timely case notes and database records
  • Follow all St Peters West Molesey and Bridge the Gap policies
  • Contribute to a safe, respectful service environment
• Professional Practice
  • Manage your own caseload and workload
  • Attend weekly one‑to‑one meetings and provide activity updates
  • Participate in group supervision and reflective practice
  • Work collaboratively with internal and external partners
  • Keep up to date with organisational and service developments

About You

You’ll be someone who is passionate about tackling poverty, supporting those facing multiple disadvantage, and working in a trauma-informed, compassionate way.

Required

• Degree-level qualification or equivalent experience
• Experience supporting and motivating people from diverse backgrounds
• Experience working / volunteering with adults facing disadvantage
• Confident managing challenging behaviours, conflict, or distress
• Able to plan, prioritise, and organise workload effectively
• Experience with dynamic risk management and accurate record‑keepingComputer literate (email, documents, spreadsheets, online systems)

Desirable

• Qualification in mental health, counselling, or community support
• Experience in community development or poverty reduction
• Experience coordinating referrals and raising safeguarding concerns
• Clean driving licence

Key Skills & Attributes

• Empathy, compassion, and emotional resilience
• Ability to work independently and unsupervised
• Adaptability to changing client needs
• Strong advocacy and motivational skills
• Honesty, integrity, and alignment with St Peters West Molesey’s mission and values

What We Offer

• Thorough induction and trauma‑informed training
• Regular supervision and reflective practice with a Clinical Psychologist
• The opportunity to make a profound difference in the lives of people with multiple disadvantages
• A supportive, values‑driven team culture