Outreach Worker - Homelessness

Central Recruitment Services Ltd; City Of London; On-site; GBP 22,000 - 32,000; Full time

Job summary

Central Recruitment is recruiting Outreach Workers in Camden for a London-based charity focused on preventing homelessness. Roles involve street-based outreach across Camden, with caseload management, multi-agency collaboration and a No Wrong Door approach. Shifts include 06:00–14:00 and 08:00–16:00, on a 37.5-hour week basis.

Temporary contracts of approximately 2–3 months, travel across the borough, and DBS clearance are required. Salary is £19.61 per hour (holiday pay included).

Qualifications

• Experience of street-based outreach or similar front-line homelessness work.
• Understanding of trauma-informed and psychologically informed approaches.
• Knowledge of safeguarding principles and risk/escalation decisions.

Responsibilities

• Hold a caseload of ~12 clients and carry out street-based outreach across Camden.
• Work flexibly between street outreach, partner locations and service hub.
• Operate within a No Wrong Door approach to engage clients with services.
• Build trusting relationships through consistent, respectful engagement.
• Respond to referrals and hotspot activity prioritising safety and risk reduction.
• Undertake street counts and initial assessments contributing to coordinated planning.
• Support access to accommodation, emergency shelter and longer-term housing pathways.
• Provide practical, person-centred support and navigate services on behalf of clients.
• Complete risk assessments and respond to safeguarding concerns.

Skills

Street outreach experience

Trauma-informed approaches

Safeguarding knowledge

Advocacy skills

Communication skills

Organisation & record keeping

Independent work in community

Tools

IT systems & databases

Job description

Central Recruitment is working with a London-based charity dedicated to preventing homelessness and supporting individuals to rebuild their lives.

Our client is currently recruiting for five Outreach Workers in Camden. The service aims to ensure that no one is left facing rough sleeping alone, providing support to reduce harm and help people move away from the streets towards safety and stability.

• 37.5 hours per week
• Roles 1-4: Monday to Sunday on a rota basis, including one weekend every 6-8 weeks
• Role 5: Monday to Friday, including one outreach shift per week
• Shifts: 06:00 - 14:00 and 08:00 - 16:00
• Temporary: approx. 2-3 months
• £19.61 per hour (£17.50 per hour, with £2.11 holiday pay)

Please note: These are outreach working roles and involve travelling across the London Borough of Camden supporting clients in the community. When on an outreach shift, you will be street based between 06:00 - 09:00, then office based for the rest of the shift.

Key responsibilities:

• Hold a caseload of approximately 12 key clients and carry out street-based outreach across Camden to identify, engage and support people sleeping rough or at immediate risk of rough sleeping
• Work flexibly between street outreach, partner locations and the service hub, supporting assessment, engagement and ongoing casework
• Work within a 'No Wrong Door' approach, supporting people wherever and however they engage with services
• Build trusting relationships through consistent, respectful and non-judgemental engagement
• Respond to referrals, intelligence and hotspot activity, prioritising safety, continuity and risk reduction and work with partner agencies to prevent rough sleeping and provide targeted support in key locations, hotspots and encampments
• Undertake street counts, women's census and initial assessments, contributing to coordinated support planning
• Support clients to access accommodation, emergency shelter and longer-term housing pathways
• Provide practical, person-centred support, including attending appointments, obtaining documentation, navigating services and advocating on behalf of clients
• Complete proportionate risk assessments and risk management plans
• Identify and respond to safeguarding concerns, escalating appropriately and contributing to multi-agency risk management where required
• Use trauma-informed and gender-informed approaches, recognising risks linked to exploitation, abuse, coercion and self-neglect
• Ensure people sleeping rough are offered emergency shelter during Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP) periods

What we’re looking for:

• Experience of street-based outreach, homelessness, rough sleeping, floating support or related work with people facing multiple disadvantage
• Understanding of trauma-informed, strengths-based and psychologically informed approaches
• Knowledge of safeguarding principles and confidence in making decisions around risk and escalation
• Understanding of the barriers people face accessing accommodation, healthcare and statutory support, with the ability to advocate effectively
• Experience working with partner agencies and contributing to coordinated support and multi-agency working
• Ability to build trust and engage people who may be hard to reach, distressed or disengaged, using persistence, empathy and clear boundaries
• Strong organisation and case recording skills, with confidence using IT systems and databases
• Confidence working independently in the community, using professional judgement and dynamic risk assessment to keep yourself and others safe

Further requirements:

• Current valid right to work in the UK
• Minimum 12 months’ of paid experience in a front line social care role within the last 3 years* (unless recruitment criteria states otherwise)
• A fully enhanced DBS either registered on the DBS update service or issued within the last 12 months, or willingness to apply for one through Central (at a cost of £60)
• Employment or education history to cover the last 5 years which can be verified through the referencing process

*Please note the outlined experience is the 'minimum' first stage criteria, and we will therefore be unable to consider your application unless you are able to demonstrate a relevant work history in line with this position