Rough Sleeping Outreach Officer – AR

Carrington Blake Recruitment; East Suffolk; Hybrid; GBP 29,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

East Suffolk Council is seeking an experienced Rough Sleeping Outreach Officer to support its work in tackling homelessness and reducing rough sleeping across the district.

The successful candidate will carry out proactive street outreach, identify individuals sleeping rough, build relationships and provide practical support to help them access accommodation and essential services. Travel across East Suffolk is required with some home working days.

Qualifications

• Minimum of two years’ experience in housing, homelessness or rough sleeping.
• Direct experience supporting vulnerable individuals, ideally in outreach.
• Understanding of homelessness issues and related legislation.
• Experience with assessing needs and managing cases.
• Experience working with statutory and voluntary organisations.
• Strong communication, organisation and problem-solving skills.
• Safeguarding, confidentiality and data protection awareness.
• Five GCSEs including Maths and English.

Responsibilities

• Identify and engage individuals sleeping rough and link to support.
• Respond to StreetLink referrals and assess reports.
• Carry out initial assessments to identify needs and options.
• Provide case management and support to move clients to accommodation.
• Refer to housing, social care, mental health and addiction services.
• Coordinate transport for assessments and services.
• Maintain records with the Housing Needs team.

Skills

Outreach experience

Homelessness knowledge

Case management

Independent working

Lone working

Communication skills

Organisation skills

Problem-solving

Safeguarding

Data protection

Homelessness Reduction Act

Education

GCSEs incl Maths & English

Job description

Rough Sleeping Outreach Officer

Location: East Suffolk (primarily Lowestoft and surrounding market towns)
Contract: Temporary - until the end of January 2027
Pay Rate: £25 per hour PAYE
Working Arrangement: Field-based, with approximately one day per week working from home, depending on service requirements.

Job Overview

East Suffolk Council is seeking an experienced Rough Sleeping Outreach Officer to support its work in tackling homelessness and reducing rough sleeping across the district.

The successful candidate will carry out proactive street outreach, identify individuals sleeping rough, build relationships and provide practical support to help them access accommodation and essential services.

You will work closely with the Housing Needs Service, local authorities and external support organisations to assess individual circumstances, identify support needs and coordinate appropriate interventions.

The role will involve regular travel across East Suffolk, particularly Lowestoft and surrounding market towns, and will require flexibility to work unsocial hours when necessary.

Key Responsibilities

• Identify and engage with individuals sleeping rough across East Suffolk, building trust and encouraging them to access support.
• Respond to StreetLink referrals and investigate reports of rough sleeping.
• Carry out initial assessments to identify individual needs, risks, local connections and potential accommodation options.
• Provide ongoing case management and support to help individuals move away from rough sleeping.
• Refer and signpost individuals to relevant services, including accommodation providers, Adult Social Care, mental health and drug and alcohol support services.
• Support individuals in accessing education, employment, benefits and other mainstream services.
• Work closely with local authorities, charities, prisons, hospitals and other partner organisations to prevent and address homelessness.
• Participate in rough sleeping counts, monitoring exercises and coordination meetings.
• Maintain accurate records and share relevant information with the Housing Needs team.
• Arrange transport where necessary to help individuals access assessments and support services.

Essential Requirements

• Minimum of two years' experience working within housing, homelessness or rough sleeping services.
• Direct experience supporting vulnerable individuals, ideally within a street outreach or homelessness setting.
• Good understanding of the challenges and issues affecting people experiencing rough sleeping.
• Understanding of the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017.
• Experience working with statutory and voluntary organisations.
• Ability to carry out assessments, identify support needs and manage cases effectively.
• Experience working independently and using initiative, including lone working.
• Strong communication, organisation and problem-solving skills.
• Understanding of safeguarding, confidentiality and data protection requirements.
• Minimum of five GCSEs at grade 6 or equivalent, including Maths and English.

Additional Requirements

• Full driving licence and access to your own vehicle, as regular travel across East Suffolk is required.
• Flexibility to work outside normal working hours when required.
• Ability to work independently and manage a varied caseload.
• Satisfactory enhanced DBS check.

Desirable Experience

• Experience supporting individuals with mental health difficulties or drug and alcohol dependencies.
• Experience working with offenders or vulnerable adults.
• Further qualifications or training in housing, homelessness or a related field.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced homelessness or rough sleeping professional to make a positive difference to vulnerable individuals and support East Suffolk Council's work to reduce rough sleeping.