Rough Sleeper Support Worker – EK

Carrington Blake Recruitment; Walsall; On-site; GBP 21,000 - 28,000; Full time

Job summary

Carrington Blake Recruitment is seeking a compassionate Rough Sleeper Support Worker to assist homeless and vulnerable adults in the Walsall borough, helping access accommodation and develop independent living skills. You will support individuals with complex needs, including mental health and substance misuse challenges, and provide ongoing guidance to prevent repeat homelessness.

The role involves street outreach, risk assessments, support planning, and signposting to healthcare, welfare

Qualifications

• Experience working with vulnerable adults or individuals with complex needs.
• Knowledge of issues affecting homeless people, including mental health, substance misuse and offending.
• Understanding of housing legislation, welfare benefits, debt and housing support.
• Ability to complete risk and needs assessments and develop effective support plans.
• Strong communication, organisational and record-keeping skills.
• Ability to manage challenging situations calmly and professionally.
• Commitment to safeguarding, confidentiality, equality and diversity.
• A full driving licence and access to a vehicle for work use are essential.
• Flexibility to work early mornings, evenings, weekends and bank holidays on a rota basis.

Responsibilities

• Carry out street outreach across Walsall to identify rough sleepers and respond to referrals.
• Complete risk and needs assessments and develop individual support and risk management plans.
• Support individuals to access suitable accommodation and maintain settled housing.
• Help service users develop independent living, social and practical life skills.
• Assist with welfare benefit claims, housing applications and debt-related issues.
• Signpost and refer individuals to relevant services, including healthcare, mental health and substance misuse support.
• Provide regular support sessions and respond appropriately to crisis situations.
• Safeguard vulnerable adults and manage risks effectively.
• Encourage engagement with education, training, employment and positive support networks.
• Maintain accurate case notes, support plans and records of outcomes.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues, partner agencies and community services.

Skills

Experience with vulnerable adults

Homelessness knowledge

Housing legislation knowledge

Risk and needs assessments

Communication skills

Record-keeping

Safeguarding/confidentiality

Full driving licence

Flexibility in hours

Job description

Rough Sleeper Support Worker

Location: Civic Centre, Walsall
Grade: G6
Working Hours: Flexible, including early mornings, evenings and occasional weekends and bank holidays
Service Area: Housing & Welfare Services

About the Role

We are seeking a compassionate and dedicated Rough Sleeper Support Worker to support homeless and vulnerable adults across the Walsall borough. You will work directly with rough sleepers and individuals experiencing or at risk of homelessness, helping them access suitable accommodation, overcome personal challenges and develop the skills needed to live independently.

The successful candidate will help prevent repeat homelessness by providing practical advice, guidance and ongoing support to individuals with complex needs, including those experiencing mental health difficulties, substance misuse or involvement with the criminal justice system.

Key Responsibilities

• Carry out street outreach across Walsall to identify rough sleepers and respond to referrals.
• Complete risk and needs assessments and develop individual support and risk management plans.
• Support individuals to access suitable accommodation and maintain settled housing.
• Help service users develop independent living, social and practical life skills.
• Assist with welfare benefit claims, housing applications and debt-related issues.
• Signpost and refer individuals to relevant services, including healthcare, mental health and substance misuse support.
• Provide regular support sessions and respond appropriately to crisis situations.
• Safeguard vulnerable adults and manage risks effectively.
• Encourage engagement with education, training, employment and positive support networks.
• Maintain accurate case notes, support plans and records of outcomes.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues, partner agencies and community services.

Essential Requirements

• Experience working with vulnerable adults or individuals with complex needs.
• Knowledge of issues affecting homeless people, including mental health, substance misuse and offending.
• Understanding of housing legislation, welfare benefits, debt and housing support.
• Ability to complete risk and needs assessments and develop effective support plans.
• Strong communication, organisational and record-keeping skills.
• Ability to manage challenging situations calmly and professionally.
• A commitment to safeguarding, confidentiality, equality and diversity.
• A full driving licence and access to a vehicle for work use are essential.
• Flexibility to work early mornings, evenings, weekends and bank holidays on a rota basis.

Why Apply?

This is an opportunity to make a meaningful difference to the lives of vulnerable people by helping them move away from homelessness, access appropriate support and achieve greater independence.

If you have a passion for supporting vulnerable adults and the practical skills to help people overcome barriers to stable accommodation, we would welcome your application.