Housing First support worker

London Borough of Havering; Greater London; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 34,000; Full time

Job summary

London Borough of Havering is seeking a Housing First Support Worker to join our team and deliver our local strategy to end long-term rough sleeping. This is a fixed term contract ending 31.03.2027, with potential extension.

The role requires experience in supporting people with multiple disadvantages, strong liaison with agencies, meticulous records, and a trauma-informed approach to building trust and independence for service users. You will work evenings and weekends as part of a rota.

Qualifications

• Experience delivering support to people experiencing multiple disadvantage (homelessness, substance misuse, ill health).
• Experience liaising with social, health, housing and criminal justice agencies.
• Experience writing client records and contributing to monitoring/evaluation.
• Understanding of risk and needs assessment, planning, goal setting and reviews.
• Commitment to professional integrity in work with service users and partners.

Responsibilities

• Deliver wrap-around intensive, trauma-informed support to people in independent tenancies.
• Maintain up-to-date records on case management systems and progress against plans and safety measures.
• Liaise with Adult Social Care, Criminal Justice, Health, employment and training agencies.
• Regularly review and update person-centered support plans and progress.
• Build networks with staff from other agencies to promote the Housing First pilot.
• Provide temporary cover and participate in an evenings/weekends rota to ensure service availability.

Skills

Homelessness support

Agency liaison

Records management

Risk & needs assessment

Professional integrity

Quality of service

Engage hard-to-engage clients

Multi-agency collaboration

Trauma-informed approach

Job description

Housing First Support Worker - Salary - £31,611- £33,987pa We are currently looking for a Housing First Support Officer to join our passionate team and support the delivery of our local strategy to end long-term rough sleeping on a fixed term contract ending 31.03.2027. There is potential this would be extended.

Job Description

Housing First Support Worker - Salary - £31,611- £33,987pa We are currently looking for a Housing First Support Officer to join our passionate team and support the delivery of our local strategy to end long-term rough sleeping on a fixed term contract ending 31.03.2027. There is potential this would be extended.

About You

• A high level of experience of providing support to people experiencing multiple disadvantage, including: homelessness, substance misuse, mental and physical ill health, offending behaviour.
• Experience of effective liaison with social, health, housing and criminal justice agencies.
• Experience of writing client records, completing monitoring materials and contributing to project evaluation.
• A significant level of experience, practise and understanding of the principles of risk and needs assessment, planning, goal setting, and reviewing.
• An understanding of the importance of professional integrity in relationships with service users, peers and other relevant professionals.
• A good understanding of the meaning of quality in relation to service delivery.
• To find ways to engage and work with clients who may have a low level of interaction with and suspicion of services, and make relationships with people who find it difficult to engage.
• To engage with a wide range of cross sector professionals, some of whom may have very different approaches to supporting clients and problem solving through a multi-agency approach, and advocate to agencies on behalf of the Housing First ethos and its clients.
• Ability to work effectively with clients who may present with challenging behaviour at times and take a trauma informed approach to understanding behaviours and building positive relationships with these clients.

Responsibilities

• Delivering wrap- around intensive, trauma informed support to people with multiple and complex issues within their own independent tenancies in the community.
• Maintaining accurate up to date records on the chosen case management system of progress against individual support plans; safety plans and outcomes information.
• Liaise with other agencies to facilitate access to support including Adult Social Care; Criminal Justice services; Health services; employment and training agencies.
• Regularly review the person centred support plan to update, record and monitor progress of caseload.
• Build and maintain networks with staff from other agencies to ensure the Housing First pilot is widely known and promoted.
• Provide temporary cover for colleagues as required and participate in a rota of duties, to ensure that service delivery is available in the evenings; weekends and bank.

Person Specification

• To have an understanding of the complex interdependencies of mental health and substance abuse and offending behaviour
• A creative approach to problem solving; getting and keeping people engaged demonstrating empathy
• Promote the rights, responsibilities and informed choice of the people receiving the service, acting as an advocate to promote independence.
• Know when to seek assistance or supervision and how to engage meaningfully in planned supervision.
• Adaptability to changing and emerging needs as the pilot develops demonstrating flexibility and resilience in challenging situations
• High level of relationship skills:

Additional Information

We want everyone to choose Havering. When you apply for a job with us, your application is considered on its merits regardless of your age, disability, ethnicity, faith, gender identity or sexual orientation. Our residents and service users come from all walks of life, and so do our employees. Find out what it means to Choose Havering.

The London Borough of Havering has important responsibilities for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. If you are appointed to a job that involves working with these groups, you may be subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

For an informal discussion about the post, please contact Rahman Abdul at [e-mail].

The closing date for the receipt of applications is 15th September 2026, however interest in this job may be high and we therefore reserve the right to close the vacancy early.

About Us

With its excellent transport links into central London, extensive town centre regeneration and the highest concentration of green space anywhere in London, Havering has a unique offer as a place to live, work and visit. By making the most of its position and opportunities, Havering is becoming a hub for start-ups and expanding businesses, as well as construction, logistics, engineering and manufacturing industries. Find out why you should work for Havering Council.