Outreach Worker
37.5 hours per week (Mon-Fri)
Fixed Term until March 31, 2025, with possible extension
Richmond upon Thames
£28,665
An amazing opportunity to help change the lives of marginalised rough sleepers and help them move from rough sleeping to independence.
About Us
At SPEAR, we dedicate ourselves to helping those in South West London who are homeless, or at risk of becoming homeless, find secure accommodation and work towards a positive future.
We are looking at one of the biggest cost of living crises in years. With so many struggling, more and more of us will be unable to pay for gas, electricity, food or rent and may be in danger of becoming homeless. We support those most in need with a range of accommodation and support services to ensure that no one feels they are going through this alone. For over 35 years, we’ve worked tirelessly to support homeless people to recover from their personal issues and gain support to overcome the barriers they face. We provide a range of accommodation and support services.
We are now looking for an Outreach Worker to help us tackle homelessness when we’re needed more than ever.
The Role
As an Outreach Worker, you’ll enable rough sleepers to leave the street and take their first steps towards lasting, genuine independence.
Specifically, you will:
- Identify and target rough sleepers in shift patterns, including those unwilling to initially engage
- Manage a caseload, offering consistent and ongoing support
- Assist rough sleepers to access appropriate services, including accommodation
- Make and maintain effective multiagency relationships
About You
- Driver’s licence essential
- Previous experience of working with vulnerable people
- To participate in shift work to enable maximum contact with service users
- Being proactive in working in a multi-agency context, and referring appropriately to support agencies
- Ability to record accurate notes on various databases in a timely fashion, and fill out forms
- Be able to show empathy and compassion
This is a full-time role, which will include working shift patterns to reflect the client’s rough sleeping habits. (Driving licence essential).
Your Benefits
- 34 days’ holiday (inclusive of bank holidays) increasing with length of service
- Enhanced maternity and paternity leave
- Enhanced occupational sick pay
- Enrolment into our pension scheme after three months’ service
- Yearly eye care vouchers
Your Perks
- 24-hour access to confidential counselling services (EAP)
- Free staff wellbeing sessions
- Flexible working
- Free moving house day
- Staff interest-free loan and season ticket loans
- Cycle to work scheme and free parking at some sites
Once you join us, you will be eligible for a whole host of benefits. Need a day off to move house? We can do that. Want to be out in nature every day and cycle to work? No problem. Need to know you’ll be financially secure whether you’re sick, having a child or simply in the future? We’ve got that covered with sick pay, parental leave and a great pension scheme.
We’ll also ensure your mental wellbeing can be your number one priority through access to a confidential counselling service, so you can go home every day, knowing your hard work is helping some of those most marginalised in society move from homelessness to independence.
This is a brilliant opportunity to support the delivery of vital services and make a tangible impact on some of the most vulnerable in the community.
SPEAR welcome and encourage applications from everyone, regardless of age, disability, gender, ethnicity, religion or sexual orientation.
PLEASE SEE JOB DESCRIPTION AND PERSON SPECIFICATION.
Applications without a supporting statement will not be considered.
So, if you’re seeking your next challenge as an Outreach Worker, please apply via the button shown. This vacancy is being advertised by Webrecruit. The services advertised by Webrecruit are those of an Employment Agency.
Other organisations may call this role Rough Sleeper Navigator, Homelessness Support Worker, Homelessness Outreach Worker, or Rough Sleeper Support Worker.