Assertive Outreach Worker

We are looking for an Assertive Outreach Worker to engage and support vulnerable adults who are at risk of, or currently experiencing, cuckooing (where perpetrators take over a person’s home for criminal exploitation).

The role requires proactive, persistent, and person-centred outreach to build trust with individuals who may be reluctant to engage with services, with the aim of improving safety, reducing harm, and supporting sustainable recovery and independence.

Location: Nankeville Court, Woking, with travel across Surrey
Salary: £29,220 pro rata (£17,532 actual)
Hours: 21 hours per week, with flexibility to work across the work week
Contract type: Permanent

About the organisation:

Through Community, Specialist and Outreach services, we support recovery, mental health, and wellbeing—together, every step of the way.

Key responsibilities:

Outreach & Engagement

• Deliver assertive outreach, including home visits, community-based engagement, and multi-agency operations.
• Build trusting relationships with individuals experiencing exploitation, often with complex needs (e.g., substance misuse, mental health, homelessness).
• Engage service users who may be resistant or disengaged from traditional support services.

Safeguarding & Risk Management

• Identify, assess, and respond to safeguarding risks related to cuckooing and exploitation.
• Develop and implement risk management and safety plans in collaboration with service users.
• Act promptly on safeguarding concerns in line with local authority procedures.
• Work closely with police and safeguarding teams to disrupt exploitation and protect victims.

Case Management

• Manage a caseload of service users, maintaining accurate and timely records.
• Complete needs assessments and co-produce support plans tailored to individual needs.
• Monitor progress and adjust interventions accordingly.

Multi-Agency Working

• Work collaboratively with partner agencies including:
  • Housing providers
  • Police
  • Social services
  • Substance misuse and mental health services
• Attend multi-agency meetings (e.g., MARAC, safeguarding meetings, case conferences).
• Advocate on behalf of clients to access services, housing, and support.

Prevention & Education

• Deliver awareness sessions to professionals and communities about cuckooing and exploitation.
• Support early intervention strategies to prevent exploitation.

Practical Support

• Assist service users with:
  • Securing safe accommodation
  • Accessing benefits and healthcare
  • Re-establishing tenancies
• Provide crisis support where required.

Working Conditions

• Regular lone working and community-based visits, including high-risk environments.
• Flexible working hours, which may include evenings and weekends.
• Requirement to follow all health and safety and lone working procedures.

About you:

Essential

• Experience of working with vulnerable adults, particularly within:
  • Substance misuse
  • Homelessness
  • Criminal exploitation / safeguarding
• Demonstrable experience of assertive outreach or intensive engagement work
• Strong understanding of cuckooing, county lines, and exploitation
• Knowledge of safeguarding legislation, policies, and procedure
• Ability to assess risk and manage complex, high-risk situations
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to work independently and as part of a multi-agency team
• Ability to manage competing priorities and meet deadlines
• Resilience and ability to work in challenging environments
• Empathy and non-judgemental approach
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making abilities
• Effective record-keeping and IT skills
• Full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle (if required)
• Ability to work flexibly across area
• Have authentic attributes of Kindness, Commitment and Integrity
• Ability to maintain Equal Opportunity standards at all times        

Please refer to the job description for a full breakdown of the key responsibilities and person specification.

Benefits

• 26 days annual leave plus bank holidays (increasing with service)
• Pension scheme and access to Simply Health (including optical, dental, counselling sessions)
• Birthday leave, employee discounts, and flexible working where possible
• Supportive probation, sick pay after probation, and wellbeing/EAP resources

Safeguarding & Checks

• This role is subject to an enhanced DBS check.
• A past history of drug/alcohol issues or criminality will not necessarily exclude you from this role; we encourage applications from people with lived experience where appropriate.
• All applicants must have a valid right to work in the UK.

Catalyst Support is an equal opportunities employer. We celebrate difference and are committed to fairness, accessibility, and inclusion throughout recruitment and employment.

We welcome requests for reasonable adjustments at any stage of the process.

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