140 Housing first worker jobs

Job Purpose:

This role coordinates and contributes to Stay’s outreach service, working in partnership with KiP to provide a planned, person-centred response for people who are rough sleeping, or at immediate risk of rough sleeping, across Telford and Wrekin. The postholder will help plan outreach activity, undertake verification and engagement, build trusted relationships, coordinate follow-up with Stay, KiP and wider partners, and support people to access accommodation, health, welfare and wider support pathways.

Key Responsibilities:

Outreach, Engagement and Relationship-Building

• Provide planned outreach to people who are rough sleeping, or at immediate risk of rough sleeping, including people identified through the Rough Sleeper Task Force.

• Build trusted, professional relationships through consistent engagement, welfare checks, practical help and a non-judgemental approach.

• Undertake outreach where people are staying, sleeping or placed, offering advice and support to prevent rough sleeping wherever possible.

• Support people who decline accommodation or other services by providing clear information, reducing immediate harm where possible and maintaining appropriate engagement.

Rough Sleeper Verification and Local Response

• Identify and verify people sleeping rough through appropriate evidence and provide timely updates to Telford & Wrekin Council and relevant partners on whereabouts, risks, current circumstances, outcomes and follow-up actions.

• Carry out planned early morning verification and regular checks across the borough to identify people sleeping rough, including those not already known to services.

• Participate in street counts, audits and hotspot intelligence gathering as required.

• Share relevant case information through agreed Rough Sleeper Task Force.

• Work flexibly across Telford and Wrekin, providing cover across localities where practical and safe.

Assessment, Support and Pathways

• Identify each person’s immediate accommodation, welfare and safety needs, including risks, strengths and priorities.

• Support people to access emergency, temporary, supported or other suitable accommodation, and consider safe alternatives to rough sleeping where appropriate.

• Provide practical support with appointments, welfare benefits, identification, emergency items and other agreed actions.

• Identify whether specialist advice or referral is needed in relation to benefits, immigration, nationality status, health, mental health, substance use or other support needs.

• Advocate for people and, where appropriate, accompany them to appointments linked to agreed outcomes.

• Enable people to access Stay services and wider statutory, voluntary and community support.

Partnership Working and Coordination

• Coordinate outreach planning with Stay colleagues, KiP and other partners, ensuring clear handovers, reduced duplication and continuity of support.

• Coordinate the shared early morning verification plan across Telford and Wrekin.

• Provide day-to-day coordination across the outreach model, helping to plan work, allocate activity, coordinate handovers and avoid duplication.

• Coordinate the sharing of risk information, support plans, referrals and case updates through agreed systems, including In-Form where appropriate, while both outreach posts remain responsible for recording their own activity.

• Draw together information from both outreach posts to support monthly and quarterly reporting for the Council, KiP and Stay Boards.

• Provide supervision, case supervision, wellbeing supervision or reflective check-ins for the Outreach Worker.

• Work with KiP on annual appraisal input for the Outreach Worker, while KiP retains formal employer responsibilities.

• Work collaboratively with Telford & Wrekin Council Housing, Housing Solutions, EDT, police, hospitals, emergency and temporary accommodation providers, community organisations and other agreed partners.

• Use agreed referral, triage and handover arrangements so each person has a clear pathway, follow-up plan or onward support where further or specialist help is required.

• Build effective links with services responding to exploitation, offending, community safety and other risks affecting people on the street.

• Respond with partners to identified hotspots, community concerns and street activity while protecting the rights and dignity of people who are rough sleeping.

• Promote accurate understanding of the outreach offer and challenge stigma or negative perceptions surrounding homelessness through partnership working.

Recording, Safeguarding and Safe Practice

• Maintain accurate, timely and confidential records of contacts, verification, risks, referrals, support, outcomes and follow-up using In-Form or other agreed systems.

• Share relevant risk information, support updates and case information through agreed lawful processes and in line with confidentiality, consent and UK GDPR requirements.

• Recognise, respond to and report safeguarding concerns in line with organisational and multi-agency procedures.

• Complete and follow dynamic and documented risk assessments, lone-working, check-in, incident reporting, personal safety and escalation procedures.

• Contribute information about patterns of need, emerging risks and gaps in provision to support service planning and commissioning.

• Maintain appropriate outreach resources and emergency supplies, checking and replenishing items within the agreed budget and in line with service procedures.

General Responsibilities

• Contribute to the charity’s strategic objectives and operational plans.

• Maintain professional boundaries and confidentiality at all times, upholding the charity’s values and ethos.

• Maintain and enhance internal and external working relationships.

• Adhere to all GDPR requirements and organisational privacy protocols to safeguard the personal data of customers, clients/tenants, and colleagues.

• Be aware of the Charity’s policies and procedures, ensure they are followed and that good practice is maintained.

• Proactively uphold safeguarding policies and procedures to ensure the safety and wellbeing of vulnerable adults and children, identifying potential risks and following established reporting procedures.

• Participate in team meetings, training, supervision and appraisals as required.

• Ensure that you take care of your own Health and Safety and that of others who may be affected by your actions.

• Ensure that Equality, Diversity and Inclusion is actively promoted in all areas of work and that the services are relevant and accessible to all.

• Undertake any other duties as reasonably required.