Rough Sleeper Navigator

Rotherwood; Lancaster; On-site; GBP 21,000 - 27,000; Full time

Job summary

Rotherwood Cares is recruiting Rough Sleeper Navigators to support a winter initiative across Lancaster and Morecambe. You will engage with individuals sleeping rough, assess immediate needs, and help them access emergency and longer-term accommodation in partnership with local councils and housing providers.

The role requires resilience, flexibility for early mornings and late shifts, and a commitment to compassionate frontline support within the community.

Qualifications

• Experience working in homelessness/rough sleeping or outreach roles.
• Ability to engage with vulnerable adults with empathy and professionalism.
• Comfort in dynamic community environments and handling challenging situations.
• Strong record-keeping and liaison with partner agencies.

Responsibilities

• Identify and engage individuals experiencing rough sleeping.
• Build trusting relationships and assess immediate needs.
• Assist access to emergency or longer-term accommodation and services.
• Liaise with councils, housing providers, and external agencies.
• Make referrals and advocate on behalf of service users.

Skills

Outreach work

Homelessness

Mental health

Social care

Housing support

Community support

Probation or criminal justice

Job description

Rough Sleeper NavigatorLocation: Lancaster & MorecambeHours: 37.5 hours per weekContract: Long-term Temporary / Potential Temp-to-PermanentSalary: Competitive, depending on experienceRotherwood Cares are currently recruiting for Rough Sleeper Navigators to join a local council-supported winter initiative across Lancaster and Morecambe.This is a rewarding frontline role supporting individuals who are experiencing rough sleeping, helping them move away from the streets and access appropriate accommodation, services and longer-term support.

The Role

As a Rough Sleeper Navigator, you will work within the local community to identify and engage with people who are sleeping rough. You will build positive relationships, assess their immediate needs and work alongside local agencies and housing services to help them access appropriate support and accommodation.

The role involves working flexible hours, which may include early mornings and later shifts, as this is often when people sleeping rough are most likely to be located.

You may be required to visit tents, rough sleeping sites and other challenging environments. This is a frontline position where you may witness difficult or upsetting situations, so the successful candidate will need to be confident, resilient and able to remain calm, professional and positive in challenging circumstances.

Key Responsibilities

• Identify and engage with individuals experiencing rough sleeping
• Build trusting and professional relationships with service users
• Complete welfare checks and identify immediate support needs
• Support individuals to access emergency and longer-term accommodation
• Liaise with local councils, housing providers and external agencies
• Make appropriate referrals to relevant support services
• Advocate on behalf of service users where required
• Maintain accurate records and case notes
• Respond appropriately to challenging and unpredictable situations
• Work flexibly across Lancaster and Morecambe according to service requirements

About You

We are looking for someone who is confident working in the community and comfortable supporting people with complex and challenging circumstances.

Previous experience in one or more of the following areas would be highly beneficial:

• Homelessness / rough sleeping
• Outreach work
• Supported housing
• Mental health
• Substance misuse
• Social care
• Community support
• Housing support
• Probation or criminal justice
• Other frontline support services

What We Offer

• 37.5 hours per week
• Long-term temporary opportunity
• Potential temp-to-permanent opportunity
• Flexible working patterns, including early and late shifts
• Meaningful frontline work within a local council winter initiative
• Opportunity to make a genuine difference to people experiencing homelessness
• Ongoing support from Rotherwood Cares

If you have experience working with vulnerable adults and are looking for a challenging but rewarding community-based role, we would be keen to hear from you