Outreach Worker - Southend on Sea

Outreach Worker - Southend on Sea

Permanent26,000

About the Role

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 individuals 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. If you'd like more information about our family-friendly benefits, please contact our Recruitment Team at [email protected]
• Training and development opportunities
• Simply HealthCashback 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.

Diversity at Forward Trust

The Forward Trust commits to providing opportunities to everyone. We want to ensure we have a diverse team with a range of lived and professional experiences. This includes those with Lived Experience of addiction, offending, or homelessness.Some of our roles may require a minimum period of sustained recovery (normally around3years). This is assessed on a case-by-case basis, and exceptions may be considered depending on the role and individual circumstances.

When we recruit, we welcome applications from everyone. This is inclusive of age, gender, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion and/or belief, marriage and civil partnerships, pregnancy and maternity and socio-economic background. Where operationally possible, we will consider flexible working requests and make reasonable adjustments for all roles.

To find out more about Forwards commitment to being an inclusive employer and our current EDI strategy clickhere.

We want our recruitment process to be accessible to everyone. If you require any reasonable adjustments at any stage, please let us know.

Employee Screening and Eligibility to Work

Dependent on role you may be required to undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service Check, details of which will be shared with you at interview.

If successful in your application, you will be required to provide eligibility to work evidence in line with the Eligibility to Work in the UK requirements.

Our Commitment to Safeguarding
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and adults at risk. Forward Trust follow safer recruitment practices and support a culture of openness and accountability.