Community Support Worker

Focus Resourcing; Southend-on-Sea; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 33,000; Full time

Job summary

Focus Resourcing is seeking a Specialist Support Worker to join a small team supporting residents facing homelessness, mental health and other complex challenges in Southend-on-Sea. The role is a temporary to fixed-term contract, working 37 hours per week Monday to Friday, with a salary of £28,681 per year.

You will provide intensive, person-centred support through office-based work, outreach and home visits, collaborating with housing, health, social care and voluntary sector partners.

Qualifications

• Experience supporting vulnerable adults with complex needs.
• Ability to build positive relationships and engage people who are hard to reach.
• Organised, resilient and able to manage a varied caseload.
• Excellent communication and problem-solving skills.
• Committed to helping people achieve positive outcomes and independence.

Responsibilities

• Deliver high-quality, customer-focused support services that promote independence and tenancy sustainment.
• Manage a caseload of customers with complex and multiple needs, providing tailored support.
• Undertake strength-based and risk assessments and review support plans regularly.
• Engage proactively with customers, including outreach and home visits, and work with partners.
• Support customers to access and sustain suitable accommodation and prevent homelessness.
• Assist customers with budgeting, household management, utilities and accessing welfare benefits.
• Promote financial wellbeing and help maximise income and reduce debt.
• Help customers develop positive relationships and independent living skills.
• Support access to primary healthcare, mental health, substance misuse, social care, employment and education opportunities.
• Advocate for customers and promote self-advocacy where possible.
• Collaborate with local authorities, healthcare providers, housing associations and voluntary sector partners.
• Maintain accurate case records and monitor safeguarding concerns.
• Develop partnerships to improve outcomes for vulnerable residents.
• Flexibility to cover evening and weekend shifts as required.

Job description

Specialist Support Worker

Specialist Support Worker required on a temporary to fixed term contract basis, to join a small, close-knit team to support residents facing homelessness, poor mental health, substance misuse, social exclusion and other complex challenges. Working 37 hours a week, Monday - Friday, the salary will be £28,681.

This is a rewarding opportunity to work directly with vulnerable adults, helping them sustain their tenancies, access vital services and build the confidence and skills needed to live independently.

You’ll provide intensive, person‑centred support through a mixture of office‑based work, outreach and home visits, working alongside housing, health, social care and voluntary sector partners.

This post includes shift work, being part of a seven-day rota. Enhanced DBS check required or can be carried out once in post. Full driving licence and access to a vehicle is required.

Duties

• Deliver high-quality, customer‑focused support services that promote independence, wellbeing and tenancy sustainment
• Manage a caseload of customers with complex and multiple needs, providing tailored support based on assessed needs
• Undertake strength‑based assessments, risk assessments and support planning exercises, reviewing support plans regularly to ensure customer progress
• Engage proactively and assertively with customers who may be difficult to engage, including working from the Complex Needs Hostel as well as conducting home visits, community‑based support and outreach work where appropriate
• Support customers to access and sustain suitable accommodation and prevent homelessness
• Assist customers to establish and maintain successful tenancies, including support with budgeting, household management, utility accounts and accessing welfare benefits
• Promote financial wellbeing and support customers to maximise income and reduce debt
• Assist customers to develop positive relationships and build resilience, confidence and independent living skills
• Support customers to access primary healthcare, mental health services, substance misuse services, social care, employment, education and training opportunities
• Advocate on behalf of customers where appropriate and promote self‑advocacy wherever possible
• Work collaboratively with Southend‑on‑Sea City Council, healthcare providers, registered housing providers, probation services, police, community mental health teams and voluntary sector organisations
• Maintain accurate case records, support plans, risk assessments and performance information using company systems
• Monitor and respond appropriately to safeguarding concerns
• Assist in developing effective partnerships that improve outcomes for vulnerable residents
• Work flexibly, including participating in a rota that covers evening and weekend working as required by the service

Benefits

• £28,681 annum

Desirable Experience

• Has experience supporting vulnerable adults with complex needs
• Can build positive relationships and engage people who are often hard to reach
• Is organised, resilient and able to manage a varied caseload
• Has excellent communication and problem‑solving skills
• Is committed to helping people achieve positive outcomes and independence