Community Connections Officer

Plymouth City Council; Cotswold District; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 34,000; Full time

Job summary

Plymouth City Council is seeking a Community Connections Officer (Rough Sleeping) to provide focused casework and specialist support to people who are rough sleeping or at risk. Based within the Housing Options Team, you will engage with vulnerable residents, help them access accommodation, healthcare and financial support, and coordinate outreach.

You will manage a caseload, work with partner agencies, and develop tailored support plans to move individuals away from rough sleeping and into

Qualifications

• Excellent communicators who can build trusting relationships and provide clear and concise advice to customers and partner agencies.
• Good listeners who are empathetic and able to support customers facing challenging personal circumstances.
• People with excellent case management skills, attention to detail and the ability to prioritise competing demands in a busy environment.

Responsibilities

• Manage a caseload of customers who are rough sleeping or at risk of rough sleeping, with outreach as required.
• Coordinate support plans and work creatively to overcome barriers to accommodation and recovery.
• Work with internal teams and partner agencies to help customers access housing, healthcare and financial support.

Skills

Communication

Empathy

Case management

Teamwork

Problem solving

Outreach

Job description

Are you passionate about supporting people experiencing rough sleeping? Can you build positive relationships with some of the most vulnerable members of our community and work effectively in a fast-paced environment?
The demand for the Housing Options Service is increasing and we expect this trend to continue. An increasing number of people are experiencing homelessness and rough sleeping, often through no fault of their own. We recognise the need to develop our service in response to increased demand and are committed to developing creative and innovative ways to prevent and relieve homelessness.
We aim not only to support people when they are in crisis, but to proactively engage individuals in prevention and recovery activity that empowers and enables them to achieve sustainable housing outcomes and improve their wellbeing.
We are investing in additional resources to ensure the delivery of our aims and have an exciting opportunity to join our team as a Community Connections Officer (Rough Sleeping).
This is a fixed-term position until 31 March 2029.
Based within the Housing Options Team, the successful candidate will provide focused casework and specialist support to people who are rough sleeping or at risk of rough sleeping. Working closely with internal teams and partner agencies, the post holder will engage with some of the city's most vulnerable residents, helping them access accommodation, healthcare, financial support and other services that will enable them to move away from rough sleeping and sustain long-term housing solutions.
The role will involve managing a caseload of customers with a range of support needs, undertaking outreach where required, coordinating support plans, and working creatively to overcome barriers to accommodation and recovery.

What We Are Looking For

• Excellent communicators who can build trusting relationships and provide clear and concise advice to customers and partner agencies.
• Good listeners who are empathetic and able to support customers facing challenging personal circumstances.
• Team players with a positive attitude and a commitment to collaborative working.
• People with excellent case management skills, attention to detail and the ability to prioritise competing demands in a busy environment.
• Natural problem-solvers who can think creatively and identify solutions to complex situations.
• Individuals who can work confidently with people experiencing rough sleeping, multiple disadvantage, and complex support needs.

This role requires working with vulnerable people, therefore an awareness of safeguarding responsibilities is essential. Applicants must be able to work effectively with people from a wide range of backgrounds and communities, including customers who may display challenging behaviours or have complex needs. The role will also involve community and outreach-based working as required.

The Disclosure & Barring Service Check requirement for this post is: Basic Check.

We are a flexible employer and provide a variety of working arrangements tailored to the needs of each role. Plymouth City Council is an equal opportunities employer. All applicants will be considered for employment regardless of age, care experience, disability, gender reassignment, marriage/civil partnership, pregnancy/maternity, race, religion/belief, sex or sexual orientation.

As part of our commitment to promoting equality, we offer guaranteed interviews to those who meet the essential criteria and are considered disabled, care experienced or are an Armed Forces Service Leaver within the last two years.

Please note, this role is not eligible for visa sponsorship and we can only consider applicants with an existing right to work in the UK.

Closing date is 23rd October 2026.

We are a flexible employer and provide a variety of working arrangements tailored to the needs of each role.

"Plymouth City Council is proud to be an Age Friendly Employer. We encourage applications from talented people at every stage of their career."