Womens Outreach Worker

Forward Trust; Southend-on-Sea; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 28,000; Full time

Job summary

The Forward Trust is seeking a Women’s Outreach Worker to support women experiencing homelessness, social exclusion and complex challenges in Southend. You will engage with women across Southend City, building trust and helping access tailored services.

Using trauma-informed, strengths-based approaches, you will navigate barriers and work with partner organisations to promote safety, independence and wellbeing. The role requires compassionate engagement and clear boundaries.

Qualifications

• Understanding the needs of women who are rough sleeping, begging and/or selling sex.
• Knowledge of substance misuse, alcohol misuse, mental health or sex work.
• Understanding challenges faced by people with multiple and complex needs.
• Knowledge of strengths-based and asset-building approaches.
• Experience in multi-agency working and maintaining professional relationships and boundaries.
• Good administrative, recording and reporting skills.
• Knowledge of safeguarding procedures.
• Ability to engage confidently with women who may be reluctant to accept support.

Responsibilities

• Engage with women across Southend City to access support services.
• Build trust using trauma-informed, strengths-based approaches.
• Coordinate with statutory and voluntary sectors to navigate systems.
• Promote independence, safety and wellbeing for service users.
• Maintain confidential case records and reporting.

Skills

Rough sleeping

Substance misuse

Alcohol misuse

Mental health

Sex work

Multi-agency working

Relationship-building

Safeguarding

IT skills

Record keeping

Strengths-based

Boundaries

Flexible hours

Tools

Microsoft Office

Electronic recording systems

Job description

Women's Outreach Worker

Location: Southend on Sea

Salary: £26,000 - £28,000 per annum

About the Role

Are you passionate about supporting women experiencing homelessness, social exclusion and complex challenges to rebuild their lives and achieve positive, lasting change?

We are looking for a compassionate, resilient and proactive Women’s Outreach Worker to engage with women across Southend City who may be experiencing street-based living, rough sleeping, begging or selling sex, and who face barriers to accessing support services.

This is a rewarding opportunity to work with women who may have experienced significant trauma, disadvantage and social isolation. You will take a person-centred, trauma-informed and strengths-based approach to building trust, developing relationships and helping women access the support they need to move towards safer, healthier and more settled lives.

Working closely with statutory services, voluntary organisations and specialist support providers, you will help women navigate complex systems, access appropriate treatment and support pathways, strengthen their personal and social networks, and make informed choices about their futures.

You will play an important role in helping women overcome barriers, access essential support and work towards greater safety, stability, independence and wellbeing.

About You

We are looking for someone who is compassionate, patient, resilient and committed to supporting women experiencing multiple disadvantages. You will understand the importance of building trust over time, working without judgement and recognising that meaningful change happens at an individual pace.

You will be confident engaging with women who may be reluctant to access services, have experienced trauma or present with challenging behaviours. You will be able to balance empathy and persistence with clear professional boundaries, safeguarding responsibilities and a commitment to promoting independence and choice.

You will also understand the importance of partnership working and be able to build effective relationships with colleagues and external agencies to ensure women receive coordinated, appropriate and consistent support.

Essential knowledge, skills and experience:

• An understanding of the needs and experiences of women who are rough sleeping, begging and/or selling sex.
• In-depth knowledge of at least one relevant area, such as substance misuse, alcohol misuse, mental health or sex work.
• An understanding of the challenges faced by people with multiple and complex needs, including the barriers they may experience when accessing services.
• Knowledge of strengths-based and asset-building approaches, with an understanding of how to empower individuals to make positive and sustainable changes.
• An understanding of multi-agency working and the importance of maintaining effective professional relationships and boundaries.
• Good administrative, recording and reporting skills, with the ability to maintain accurate and confidential case records.
• Knowledge of safeguarding procedures relating to children and vulnerable adults.
• The ability to engage confidently, sensitively and patiently with women who may be reluctant to accept support or who exhibit challenging behaviours.
• A flexible and adaptable approach, including the ability to work unsociable hours when required.
• Good IT skills, including confidence using Microsoft Office applications and electronic recording systems.

Above all, you will be committed to treating every woman with dignity, respect and compassion. You will recognise the importance of consistent, relationship-based support and be motivated to help women build on their strengths, overcome barriers and achieve meaningful, lasting change.

If you are passionate about making a difference in the lives of women experiencing disadvantage and want to be part of a service that promotes empowerment, inclusion and positive outcomes, we would love to hear from you.

About Us

We are The Forward Trust, the social enterprise with charitable status that empowers people to break the often interlinked cycles of crime and addiction to move forward with their lives. For more than 25 years we have been working with people to build positive and productive lives, whatever their past. We believe that anyone is capable of lasting change. Our services have supported thousands of people to make positive changes and build productive lives with a job, family, friends and a sense of community.

Please note that we may close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications.

Please note that remote roles may require occasional travel for site visits, training and meetings.