Specialist Outreach Support Worker

Peabody; Harlow; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 34,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days annual holiday

Flexible benefits scheme

Up to 10% pension contribution

Job summary

Peabody's Essex Drug and Alcohol Street Support Team is hiring a dedicated Housing Outreach Worker to engage with individuals experiencing homelessness and complex needs. You’ll provide assertive outreach, build trust, help access accommodation, treatment and health services, and support people to move forward with their lives.

Applicants should have experience supporting vulnerable adults in housing or floating support, strong communication, safeguarding knowledge, and the ability to work

Qualifications

• Experience supporting adults with complex needs in housing/outreach settings.
• Knowledge of homelessness, rough sleeping, substance misuse and welfare benefits.
• Experience completing risk and needs assessments and safeguarding knowledge.
• Strong communication and ICT skills.

Responsibilities

• Engage with rough sleepers and provide assertive outreach and person-centred support.
• Build trusting relationships to access accommodation, treatment and health services.
• Support customers to access benefits and health services and promote financial wellbeing.
• Advocate with agencies to navigate housing, welfare and support services.
• Complete assessments and maintain accurate records; ensure safeguarding concerns are managed.
• Collaborate with statutory agencies, housing providers and partner organisations to achieve positive outcomes.

Skills

Communication

Driving licence

IT skills

Engagement

Safeguarding

Housing outreach

Tools

Microsoft Office

Case management systems

Job description

At Peabody, we're committed to helping people live well and independently. As part of our Essex Drug and Alcohol Street Support Team, commissioned by Essex County Council, you'll work directly with people experiencing rough sleeping, substance misuse and other complex challenges, helping them access the support, treatment and accommodation they need to move forward with their lives.

What You'll Be Doing

• Engage with rough sleepers and people experiencing homelessness, providing assertive outreach and person-centred support.
• Build trusting relationships that encourage individuals to access accommodation, treatment and health services.
• Support customers to make informed decisions that improve their wellbeing, independence and quality of life.
• Advocate on behalf of customers and help them navigate housing, welfare and support services.
• Promote financial wellbeing and help individuals access appropriate benefits and support.
• Complete assessments, maintain accurate records and ensure safeguarding concerns are managed appropriately.
• Work closely with statutory agencies, housing providers, healthcare professionals and partner organisations to achieve the best outcomes for customers.
• Contribute to Peabody's mission to reduce rough sleeping and improve lives across Essex.

About You

We're looking for someone who is self-motived and used to lone working but also used to working other teams across other services. You are passionate about supporting vulnerable adults and believes in the power of positive relationships. You have the ability to engage with people from diverse backgrounds and building trust with those who may be reluctant to access services. You’ll also be:

• Experience supporting adults with complex needs in a housing, outreach, floating support, caseworker or accommodation-based setting.
• Knowledge of homelessness, rough sleeping, substance misuse and the challenges faced by vulnerable adults.
• Experience completing risk and needs assessments and an understanding of safeguarding, housing legislation and welfare benefits.
• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal.
• The ability to work collaboratively with a range of agencies and stakeholders.
• Good IT skills, including experience using Microsoft Office and case management systems.
• Experience working with individuals who are traditionally hard to engage.
• Flexible and adaptable, able to respond to changing circumstances and customer needs.
• Committed to equality, inclusion and delivering services that put people first.
• A persistent, patient and solution-focused approach.
• Full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle for business use

What you’ll get in return

• 25 days’ annual holiday (plus bank holidays)
• Flexible benefits scheme including healthcare, dental, tech, vouchers, and more
• Up to 10% pension contribution

As an employer, Peabody does not provide sponsorship as a licenced UK employer.

This is a community-based role covering West Essex (Loughton, Epping, Harlow, Chigwell and Uttlesford) and at times, there will be requirement to cover other patches.