Rough Sleeper Outreach and Support Officer

The Methodist Church in Britain; England; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 34,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexitime

Work-life balance benefits

Job summary

The Huntingdonshire District Council is seeking a fixed-term Outreach Worker in the Community and Resident Support Team. You will carry out outreach with people sleeping rough or at risk of homelessness, building trusted relationships to help them access benefits, healthcare and housing services.

You will work mainly in the community, using a strengths-based, trauma-informed approach, manage a varied caseload, and coordinate interventions with housing teams, health professionals and partners to

Qualifications

• Experience of providing person-centred support
• Experience of managing a caseload
• Experience of working collaboratively with partners to achieve positive outcomes

Responsibilities

• Carry out outreach with people sleeping rough, in temporary accommodation or at risk of homelessness, building trusted relationships
• Provide practical support, advocacy and encouragement to people experiencing or at risk of homelessness
• Manage a varied caseload and coordinate interventions that help people secure and sustain accommodation
• Work with housing teams, health professionals, voluntary organisations and other partners
• Help people access benefits, healthcare and housing applications, including attending appointments
• Use a strengths-based, trauma-informed approach to build independence and reduce future homelessness

Skills

Excellent communicator

Independent worker

Calm under pressure

Job description

This fixed-term post with Huntingdonshire District Council sits in the Community and Resident Support Team, one of two funded by the Rough Sleeper Programme until March 2028. The work centres on outreach with people sleeping rough, in temporary accommodation or at risk of losing their home, helping them reach benefits, healthcare and housing. Most of the time is spent out in the community rather than at a desk, using a strengths-based, trauma-informed approach. Sponsorship is not available, so candidates need the right to work in the UK.

What the job involves

• Carry out outreach with people sleeping rough, in temporary accommodation or at risk of homelessness, building trusted relationships
• Provide practical support, advocacy and encouragement to people experiencing or at risk of homelessness
• Manage a varied caseload and coordinate interventions that help people secure and sustain accommodation
• Work with housing teams, health professionals, voluntary organisations and other partners
• Help people access benefits, healthcare and housing applications, including attending appointments
• Use a strengths-based, trauma-informed approach to build independence and reduce future homelessness

What’s required

Experience

• Experience of providing person-centred support
• Experience of managing a caseload
• Experience of working collaboratively with partners to achieve positive outcomes

Skills & knowledge

• Excellent communicator who can build trust and rapport quickly, including with people reluctant to engage
• Confident working independently and making sound decisionsRemaining calm in complex or challenging situations

Checks & eligibility

• Right to work in the UK

Other

• Empathy, professionalism and a genuine commitment to helping vulnerable residents

Nice to have

• Experience in homelessness, housing, outreach, social care or related support services

What’s offered

• Flexitime
• Range of benefits to support work-life balance