Support Worker - Croydon Reach

Thames Reach Charity; Croydon; On-site; GBP 21,000 - 27,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

29 days holiday + 8 stat holidays

Pension contributions 6.5%

Career development opportunities

Wellbeing support 24/7

Life assurance 4x salary + critical IL

Blue light discount card

Season ticket loan / cycle to work

Job summary

Thames Reach invites applications for a Support Worker role in Croydon. You will engage with rough sleepers through regular outreach, assess needs, and craft plans to help people access housing, health services, and supported accommodation.

The post presses a strong emphasis on collaboration, record-keeping, and service improvement. The role demands commitment to high-quality service, effective communication, and teamwork, with a focus on safeguarding and diversity in service provision.

Qualifications

• A strong commitment to providing a high standard of service.
• A good understanding of working with rough sleepers or vulnerable adults and supporting them to access services.
• Excellent organisation and time management skills to stay outcome focused and complete tasks promptly.
• Good communication skills and confidence in public speaking when representing Thames Reach externally.
• The ability to work well within a team and uphold equal opportunities.

Responsibilities

• Conduct regular outreach shifts with colleagues and partner agencies.
• Manage a caseload of rough sleepers, identifying the quickest and most appropriate route off the street, and devising a plan to achieve this.
• Represent the service to partners and stakeholders.
• Accurately record all work completed within given timeframes.
• Contribute to the development of the service by participating in team meetings and service improvement meetings.
• Participate in a rota that includes duty tasks and attendance at drop-ins and meetings.

Skills

Commitment to service

Working with rough sleepers

Organisation & time management

Communication & public speaking

Teamwork & diversity

Job description

Whatever your experience of street homelessness and its impact on people's lives – personal or professional – when you join the Thames Reach team as a Support Worker we will make the best use of all your understanding, compassion and commitment

About us...

Thames Reach runs projects and services that help to end homelessness in and around London. We work directly with homeless people on the streets and in hostels. We work to prevent vulnerable people from becoming homeless. We help formerly homeless people get their lives back on track. We help people find work and access training and volunteering opportunities.

Is our mission easy? No,but we never give up on people. Last year we helped more than 15,000 people.

Is our work rewarding? Yes, in every sense. We're listed as one of the top 100 Best Workplaces in the UK. There's no better place to develop or transfer your skills and build a fulfilling career.

About this role...

We are looking for a Support Worker to join the Croydon Reach Team.

The Thames Reach Outreach teams operate across London and help those who are rough sleeping to find routes away from the street. The teams respond rapidly and work flexibly to reach people. Individuals are assessed to identify their support needs and support plans are created, including work to obtain identification, access health services and refer to other specialist agencies, including those offering immigration support.

We will not accept applications where Artificial Intelligence (AI) has been used to assist with completing the competency questions.

You will:

• Conduct regular outreach shifts with colleagues and partner agencies
• Manage a caseload of rough sleepers, identifying the quickest and most appropriate route off the street, and devising a plan to achieve this
• Represent the service to partners and stakeholders
• Accurately record all work completed within give timeframes
• Contribute to the development of the service participating in team meetings and service improvement meetings
• Participate in a rota that includes carrying out duty tasks and attendance at drop in's and meetings.

You will have:

• A strong commitment to providing a high standard of service
• A good understanding of working with rough sleepers or vulnerable adults and supporting them to access services
• Excellent organisation and time management skills in order to remain strongly outcome focused, with the ability to complete tasks promptly and efficiently
• Good communication skills and confidence in public speaking when representing Thames Reach externally
• The ability to work well within a teamA mature and thoughtful approach to equal opportunities and diversity in service provision

We are listed in the top 100 UK Best Workplaces 2023 in the UK. As part of a commitment to our employees we offer:

• Generous holiday allowance – 29 days per year plus 8 public holidays (pro rata).
• Pension – we contribute 6.5% to your pension when you contribute 1.5%.
• Excellent development opportunities – career progression, regular supervision and appraisals, and learning programmes to support your career with Thames Reach.
• Wellbeing support – our 24/7 employee assistance programme and opportunities for TOIL.
• Life assurance – four times your annual salary and critical illness cover.
• Other benefits including a blue light discount card, interest free season ticket and cycle to work loans.

Thames Reach is committed to achieving a diverse workforce that reflects the communities we serve. We value, respect, and celebrate diversity. We welcome and encourage applicants from all sections of the community regardless of their history of homelessness, sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, or religious belief.

Thames Reach is committed to safeguarding. Applicants must be willing to undergo pre-employment screening appropriate to the post, including, but not limited to checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service. Having a criminal record will not exclude you from applying but you will be asked to provide further details as most posts are considered exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.