Outreach Worker

Outreach Worker
Location: Southend of Sea
Salary: £26,000 per annum
Vacancy Type: Permanent, Full Time
As a Street Outreach Worker, you will engage with people who are rough sleeping, begging or experiencing street-based living, including those who may be reluctant or unwilling to engage with services. You will build trusting relationships and provide flexible, person-centred support to help people access appropriate services and move towards safer, more settled lifestyles.
Working collaboratively with housing, health, substance misuse, mental health and other partner agencies, you will coordinate support around each individual’s needs, strengths and goals. You will help people access accommodation, healthcare and treatment, while encouraging choice, independence and sustainable positive change.
The role involves assertive street outreach across a range of locations and times, including unsociable hours and, at times, challenging weather conditions. You will maintain accurate records, contribute to case conferences and multi-agency working, and ensure safeguarding and information-sharing requirements are followed.
About You
We are looking for someone who understands the challenges faced by people who are rough sleeping and/or begging, including those with multiple and complex needs.
You will have knowledge of at least one area such as substance misuse, alcohol misuse or mental health, alongside an understanding of safeguarding and the importance of partnership working.
You will be confident building relationships with people who may be difficult to engage, demonstrating patience, resilience and a non-judgemental approach. You will be able to work effectively with a range of statutory and voluntary agencies, maintain professional boundaries and contribute positively to multi-agency meetings.
You will also have good administration, recording and reporting skills, be comfortable using IT and Microsoft Office, and be willing to work flexibly, including unsociable hours when required.
Most importantly, you will be committed to a strengths-based approach, empowering people to make positive and sustainable changes in their lives.
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.
We are committed to our cause and the work we carry out as a charity. Equally the wellbeing and the employees who work for us are also important. Joining us an employee, we will offer you the following benefits -
* Flexible working
* Support for Families – We support our employees through every stage of family life by offering enhanced maternity and paternity pay for eligible employees who have completed 26 weeks' continuous service, alongside family-friendly policies and a supportive, inclusive workplace.
* Training and development opportunities
* Simply Health Cashback Scheme (optional)
* Season Ticket Loan Scheme
* Cycle to work scheme
* Crisis Loan Scheme
* Electric Car Scheme
* 3 x Wellbeing Days (pro rata'd for part time employees)
* Access to Blue Light Card
* 25 days (rising to 30 with length of service) Annual Leave plus Bank Holidays
* Contributory Pension Scheme – Employer matched contributions of up to 6% in the first two years’ service and up to 9% thereafter
* Death in Service Payment (2x annual salary)
* Critical Illness Insurance (subject to qualifying criteria)
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.
To Apply
If you feel you are a suitable candidate and would like to work for Forward Trust, please click apply to be redirected to our website to complete your application