Specialist Outreach Support Worker

Peabody; Basildon; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 33,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days' annual holiday

2 paid volunteering days each year

Flexible benefits scheme

Life assurance at 4x salary

Up to 10% pension contribution

Family-friendly policies

Job summary

Peabody is seeking a Specialist Outreach Support Worker to prevent homelessness and sustain tenancies. You will provide trauma-informed, person-centred support to people at risk of homelessness, helping them access services and promote independence across South Essex.

You’ll support clients with complex needs, carry out assessments and planning, and work with partners to improve outcomes. A UK driving licence and access to a car are essential.

Qualifications

• Experience supporting vulnerable people in housing, homelessness, or related services.
• Strong knowledge of housing law, welfare benefits and homelessness prevention.
• Ability to work in crisis situations with effective communication.

Responsibilities

• Manage a caseload of customers, delivering tailored support that promotes independence and positive outcomes.
• Support customers with complex needs, including budgeting, education and training opportunities, tenancy-related issues, and access to specialist services.
• Carry out assessments, risk assessments, support planning, reviews, and crisis intervention as required.
• Run drop-ins across South Essex, offering support, encouragement, and practical help
• Work collaboratively with statutory, voluntary, and community organisations to improve outcomes for people at risk of homelessness.
• Support customers to access services relating to mental health, substance misuse, physical health, employment, and wellbeing.
• Maintain accurate customer records, case notes, and performance data in line with organisational and regulatory requirements.

Skills

Caseload management

Trauma-informed practice

Housing law knowledge

Budgeting and money management

Crisis intervention

Communication skills

Record-keeping and IT

Flexibility and resilience

Job description

Are you passionate about preventing homelessness and supporting people to sustain their tenancies? If so, this opportunity at Peabody could be the perfect next step in your career.

As a Specialist Outreach Support Worker, you'll provide trauma-informed, person-centred support to people at risk of homelessness, helping them maintain their accommodation and access the services they need to thrive. You'll use your specialist knowledge and experience to support customers with complex needs, promote tenancy sustainment, and contribute to improving homelessness prevention practice across the team and wider service.

You’ll be part of a team that’s inclusive, customer-led, and always striving to do better, for our communities and for each other. You will be traveling across the South Essex region, so a UK driving licence and access to a car is essential for this role.

What you’ll do

• Manage a caseload of customers, delivering tailored support that promotes independence and positive outcomes.
• Support customers with complex needs, including budgeting, education and training opportunities, tenancy-related issues, and access to specialist services.
• Carry out assessments, risk assessments, support planning, reviews, and crisis intervention as required.
• Run drop-ins across South Essex, offering support, encouragement, and practical help
• Work collaboratively with statutory, voluntary, and community organisations to improve outcomes for people at risk of homelessness.
• Support customers to access services relating to mental health, substance misuse, physical health, employment, and wellbeing.
• Maintain accurate customer records, case notes, and performance data in line with organisational and regulatory requirements.

What you’ll need

You're a compassionate and resilient professional who is passionate about helping vulnerable people achieve stability and independence. You're able to build trust quickly, work effectively with people in crisis, and deliver meaningful support that makes a lasting difference. You're a proactive team player who combines excellent communication skills with strong problem-solving abilities and a customer-centred approach.

• Experience supporting vulnerable people in housing, homelessness, or substance misuse services
• Strong knowledge of housing law, homelessness prevention, and welfare benefits
• Confidence engaging with people in crisis and chaotic situations
• Ability to create strength-based support plans and carry out assessments
• Excellent communication, IT, and record-keeping skills
• Good numeracy skills, including the ability to support customers with budgeting, debt management, and benefit maximisation.
• Willingness to work flexibly, including outside normal office hours when needed
• A UK driving licence and access to your own car

What you’ll get in return

• 25 days' annual holiday (plus bank holidays)
• 2 paid volunteering days each year
• Flexible benefits scheme including healthcare, dental, tech, vouchers, and more
• Life assurance at 4x your salary
• Up to 10% pension contribution
• Family-friendly policies

Interviews will be held in person at our Pitsea office on the 24th August