Housing Outreach Support Worker

SEVENOAKS DISTRICT COUNCIL; Sevenoaks; Hybrid; GBP 28,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Free parking

Local Government Pension Scheme

Employee discounts

Employee assistance programme

Job summary

SEVENOAKS DISTRICT COUNCIL is seeking an Housing Outreach Support Worker to engage with rough sleepers and provide person-centred support to secure accommodation and stability. You will work flexibly across Vine Court Road and Argyle Road, Sevenoaks, delivering proactive outreach and bespoke support plans.

The role requires substantial frontline experience, safeguarding knowledge, and the ability to collaborate with health, social care and partner agencies to improve outcomes for vulnerable

Qualifications

• Two years’ experience supporting vulnerable customers in housing or a similar setting.
• Experience with rough sleepers and developing outcome-focused support plans.
• Knowledge of homelessness and housing legislation (e.g., HRA 2017, Housing Act 1996).
• Understanding of safeguarding, risk assessment and professional boundaries.
• Excellent communication with empathy in sensitive situations.
• Experience collaborating with statutory, voluntary and community partners.
• Housing-related qualification (or equivalent) and local government experience desirable.

Responsibilities

• Identify and engage with rough sleepers through regular outreach sessions across the District.
• Develop and implement tailored support plans in consultation with customers.
• Support customers to engage with health, social care, benefits, advocacy and other services.
• Coordinate multi-agency interventions with partner agencies.
• Maintain accurate case records using housing case management systems.
• Assist in emergency housing situations and contribute to homelessness initiatives.

Skills

Empathy

Communication

Outreach

Safeguarding

Risk assessment

Professional boundaries

Collaboration

Education

Housing/homelessness qualification

Job description

We're committed to preventing homelessness and ensuring that the most vulnerable members of our community receive the support they need to rebuild their lives. The Housing Options and Solutions team plays a vital frontline role, delivering targeted outreach, practical support, and life-changing interventions to rough sleepers across the District. As a Housing Outreach Support Worker, you'll work directly with rough sleepers, providing person-centred support to help them secure suitable accommodation, address complex needs, and move towards stability and independence. Your work will have a direct and lasting impact; building trust, preventing repeat homelessness, and helping individuals take meaningful steps forward.

Everything you need to know This is a rewarding and varied opportunity for an experienced and compassionate support professional. Based between Vine Court Road and the Council Offices in Argyle Road, Sevenoaks, you'll be part of a dedicated team focused on proactive outreach and sustainable housing solutions. You'll work flexibly, including early mornings, daytime and late-night outreach sessions, engaging with rough sleepers where they are and supporting them through every stage of their journey off the streets.

What you’ll be doing

• Identifying and engaging with rough sleepers through regular outreach sessions across the District.
• Building trusting relationships and identifying individual support needs, including mental health, substance misuse and other complex vulnerabilities.
• Developing and implementing tailored support plans in consultation with customers to address identified needs.
• Supporting customers to engage with health, social care, benefits, advocacy and other specialist services.
• Acting as a key point of contact for partner agencies and coordinating multi-agency interventions.
• Carrying out risk assessments and updating them as circumstances change.
• Supporting individuals into accommodation and providing clear guidance on tenancy responsibilities, sustainment and housing rights.
• Maintaining accurate case records using the Council's housing case management systems.
• Assisting in emergency housing situations and contributing to wider homelessness initiatives and service improvements
• At least two years’ experience supporting vulnerable customers in a comparable housing or support setting.
• Experience of working directly with rough sleepers and developing robust, outcome-focused support plans.
• Knowledge of homelessness and housing legislation, including the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017 and Housing Act 1996.
• Understanding of safeguarding, risk assessment and professional boundaries.
• Excellent communication skills, with empathy and compassion in sensitive situations.
• Experience working collaboratively with statutory, voluntary and community partners
• A proactive, flexible and resilient approach to outreach-based work.
• A housing, homelessness or support-related qualification (or equivalent) and local government experience would be desirable.

We're proud to be a high-performing local authority that values innovation, collaboration and people-first service. You'll be joining a team that is committed to tackling rough sleeping through partnership, creativity and determination.

We invest in our staff and encourage initiative, learning and continuous development. You'll be supported to grow professionally while making a real difference in the community every single day.

What's in it for you?

You’ll join a dynamic and forward-thinking team delivering services that matter. No two days are the same, and the positive impact you’ll make will be immediate and visible. Our commitment to supporting and developing you is genuine and ongoing.

Other benefits include:

• Enhanced annual leave of 24 days (excluding bank holidays)
• Additional leave after 5 years of service
• Extra Christmas closure day
• Hybrid working (where service needs allow)
• Generous Local Government Pension Scheme
• Opportunities to join in with social activities
• Free parking
• Employee benefits including discounts on shopping, travel, days out and more
• Tusker car salary sacrifice scheme and discounts with your MOT
• Access to BUPA Employee Assistance Programme, a free, 24/7, confidential counselling and wellbeing support service