Community Outreach Worker (CSS Housing)

Hertfordshire Mind Network; Hemel Hempstead; On-site; GBP 23,000 - 29,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual leave 25 days pro rata

Birthday leave after probation

Employee Assistance Programme

Blue Light Card eligibility

Health cover after 6 months

Job summary

Hertfordshire Mind Network is seeking a Community Outreach Worker to support individuals with housing-related and complex needs in West Hertfordshire. The role involves outreach to clients at risk of homelessness, coordinating with Police, Housing providers and health services, and ensuring safe case management.

You will conduct holistic needs assessments, facilitate access to mental health and substance use services, and work with partners to ensure timely referrals and improved client

Qualifications

• Experience in outreach with clients with complex needs.
• Ability to assess holistic needs and refer to appropriate services.
• Commitment to person-centred and solution-focused approach.

Responsibilities

• Receive self-referrals and referrals from Police, Borough Council, Housing Providers and other services.
• Complete holistic needs assessments and initiate initial client contact as needed.
• Assist clients to access mental health, drug/alcohol, housing and tenancy services.
• Collaborate with multi-agency partners to deliver coordinated services.
• Monitor vulnerable clients and evaluate risks to promote community safety.
• Signpost to other agencies to improve health and wellbeing of referred clients.
• Recognise deterioration in mental health and provide crisis/safeguarding interventions.
• Help clients build emotional resilience and crisis planning tools.

Skills

Driving

Communication

Multi-agency collaboration

Crisis intervention

Job description

Community Outreach Workers support people with complex needs who have Housing issues as a primary need. This includes people who may have drug and alcohol difficulties. Particularly when they are coming into repeat contact with Police, Tenancy Sustainment Services, Housing and Homelessness Services and Environmental Health Services. The five-day post will be delivered in West Hertfordshire. With the flexibility to travel Hertfordshire County. The purpose of the Hertfordshire Mind Network Community Outreach Worker role is to:

• Provide advice, information, onward referral and holistic support to clients with coexisting drug and alcohol difficulties and mental ill-health. These will be clients who are presenting to the Police, Anti-Social Behaviour, Tenancy Enforcement, Housing and Environmental Health Services within Hertfordshire.
• Ensure that the safety and wellbeing of the client is monitored and reviewed regularly.
• Remain a source of independent support for all clients.
• Embed a person centred and solution focused approach in all aspects of the role.
• Raise greater awareness of complex needs and the effects of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) amongst local service providers. Supporting them to gain confidence in working positively and consistently with people who have multiple needs.

The Community Outreach Worker will:

• Receive both self-referrals and those allocated by Police, Borough Council, Housing Providers, and other relevant services.
• To complete a holistic needs assessment, making use of assertive outreach work to achieve the initial client contact, if required.
• Assist clients to access appropriate mental health services, drug and alcohol services, housing/tenancy services and other services according to assessed needs.
• Work with multi agency partners to support the delivery of co-ordinated services for clients.
• Work with partners both internal and external to ensure that vulnerable person's cases are monitored and risks evaluated in order to promote community safety.
• work with the third sector and signpost to other agencies as necessary to improve the health and wellbeing of clients referred to the service.
• Proactively recognise the indicators of deteriorating mental health and provide crisis/safeguarding intervention support
• Support clients to build their emotional resilience and crisis planning tools, promoting self-management through building an understanding of their own triggers/coping strategies.

Being able to drive and having access to your own vehicle (or equivalent) is essential for this role.

Hertfordshire Mind Network is committed to the Disability Confident and Mindful Employer charters. We actively recruit staff who have a lived experience of mental ill health. Our inclusive approach recognises the unique skills, knowledge, and perspectives that lived experience brings to our team.

Benefits

• Annual leave entitlement of 25 days per year pro rata, rising in increments to a max. of 29 days after 5 years employment (plus 8 days Bank Holidays)
• An additional day of leave each year for your birthday following completion of probation period.
• Ongoing training relevant to your role.
• An Employee Assistance Programme.
• Eligibility for blue light card.
• Health cover (after 6 months employment) - compensation payment for Optical, Dental, Chiropody and Therapy Treatments.