Outreach worker jobs in East of england

About the role:

At the heart of Camden’s response to street homelessness, the Rough Sleeping Outreach & Hub Service works across streets, transport hubs and a central support hub to ensure that no one is left facing rough sleeping alone. This is an integrated, borough-wide service focused on early engagement, reducing harm and supporting people to move away from the streets towards safety, accommodation and longer-term stability.

As an Outreach Worker, you’ll be a consistent and trusted presence for people sleeping rough or at risk of rough sleeping. Working flexibly across street outreach and hub-based support on a rota basis, you’ll build meaningful relationships, carry out trauma-aware assessments and coordinate practical support that helps people take their next steps.

You’ll work within a 'No Wrong Door' approach, supporting people wherever and however they engage. That might mean meeting someone early in the morning on outreach, supporting them to access the hub later that day, or working alongside partners to remove barriers that have kept them excluded in the past.

This is a role with variety, challenge and real impact. You’ll respond to complex situations, manage risk thoughtfully, and support people through moments of crisis and change. The work can be unpredictable and includes early, late and weekend shifts as part of a 7-day rota – but you won’t be doing it alone. You’ll be supported through reflective practice, supervision and training, as part of a skilled, compassionate and determined team.

If you’re motivated by persistence, partnership and meaningful outcomes, this is a chance to grow your skills while helping others move forward with dignity and hope.

About you:

• You’re motivated by helping people move away from harm and towards stability. You understand that progress isn’t always linear, and you bring patience, persistence and empathy to your work.
• You use a trauma-informed, strengths-based approach and can stay calm and professional when situations are complex. You balance compassion with clear boundaries and use your judgement to manage risk and safeguarding effectively.
• You work well in a fast-moving environment. You can manage competing priorities, work independently in the community and keep clear, accurate records that support continuity and accountability.
• You value partnership and collaboration. You’re confident working alongside housing, health, substance use and community safety services to deliver joined-up support and meaningful outcomes.
• You’re flexible and reliable, and comfortable working across a rota that includes early and late shifts, evenings and weekends. You’re open to working both on outreach and within a hub setting, adapting to service need while keeping people at the centre of what you do.

About us:

We’re London’s leading homelessness charity – and we get things done.

In a city where hundreds are forced into homelessness every day, our work has never been more needed or more challenging. And we’re not shying away. We’re rolling up our sleeves to make change and helping over 10,000 Londoners every year. We prevent homelessness, provide safe places to live and give people the opportunity to rebuild their lives and transform their futures. And we never give up. 

We’re here for Londoners wherever they are on their journey. We start with trust, building relationships that help people feel safe, supported, and ready to move forward. Every day, we put people first in everything we do, challenging injustice and barriers that keep people from the safety, stability and opportunity they deserve. We stand alongside people as they rebuild and shape a future that feels their own. 

Joining Single Homeless Project means joining a team that’s bold, compassionate and determined to do better for the people we support and for each other. You’ll work alongside colleagues with lived experience, in a space that’s trans-inclusive, disability-friendly, and actively striving to be anti-oppressive and equitable. 

We’re not perfect, but we’re real. We listen. We learn. And we push forward, together. Because this isn’t just a job. It’s a chance to lead with empathy, spark change, and help build a London where no one is left behind.

Important info:

Applications will be reviewed as they are received with suitable candidates being progressed to testing and interview on an adhoc basis. Therefore, please submit your application as soon as possible as we reserve the right to close the advert when suitable candidates are identified. 

This post will require an Enhanced DBS check (processed by SHP) for the successful applicant.

Please note: Applications requiring sponsorship will not be accepted or progressed. Applications are reviewed for AI use in application questions.

Outreach Recovery Worker

Location: Gillingham

Salary: £24,000 per annum

Vacancy Type: Permanent

Advertising End Date: 25 Feb 2026

About The Role

Are you driven to help people move away from street-based living toward safer, more stable futures?

We’re looking for a committed Outreach Recovery Worker in Medway to engage individuals living on the streets and help them move toward safer, more sustainable lifestyles.

In this role, you’ll empower service users, increase their involvement in their own recovery, and work collaboratively with partners to coordinate effective support that leads to positive outcomes.

What You’ll Do

You’ll spend much of your time out in the community, reaching out to individuals who are experiencing homelessness or living street-based lifestyles. You’ll build trust, offer support, and help people overcome barriers to engaging with services. This includes offering persistent, compassionate engagement to those who may be reluctant to accept help, guiding people away from street-based living where possible, and supporting smooth transitions from hospital into safe, appropriate accommodation.

Your key responsibilities will include:

• Building strong, trusting relationships with service users and delivering flexible, strengths-based interventions.
• Using approaches such as Motivational Interviewing to advise and support individuals around substance misuse.
• Working closely with drug and alcohol teams, mental health services, healthcare providers, housing partners, and local authorities to ensure coordinated support.
• Contributing to case conferences and representing the team at external forums where required.
• Maintaining accurate, confidential case records and participating in rough sleeping counts and national monitoring programmes.
• You’ll play a vital role in helping people access ongoing healthcare, reconnect with their home communities if appropriate, and move towards stable accommodation and improved well-being.

What We’re Looking For

Someone who can:

• Bring compassion, professional resilience, and a proactive, assertive approach to supporting people experiencing rough sleeping, begging and multiple disadvantage to achieve sustainable change.
• Demonstrate a strong understanding of complex needs, including mental health, substance and alcohol misuse, and the impact of trauma and long-term exclusion.
• Work confidently and patiently with people who may be reluctant to engage with services and who may at times present challenging behaviour.
• Uphold anti-discriminatory practice, maintain clear professional boundaries, and contribute to safe working environments for service users and staff.
• Work effectively within a multi-agency, strength-based approach, building positive relationships with statutory and voluntary partners.
• Commit to ongoing learning, training, reflective practice and supervision.
• Thrive in a fast-paced, challenging environment and adapt to changing priorities and client needs.
• Work flexibly across sites and be able to work unsociable hours in line with service delivery requirements.

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
• 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)

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.

At Hestia, we are guided by our core values and are dedicated to fostering an equitable, diverse, and inclusive organisation. Our mission is to empower individuals to rebuild their lives and achieve independence. Right now, we are looking for a Recovery Outreach Worker to play a pivotal role in our Oremi Centre in Notting Hill.

Sounds great, what will I be doing?

You will be providing holistic, person‑centred support to a group of allocated service users, using SMART planning and the recovery approach to promote independence, stable accommodation and a good quality of life. Your role includes visiting individuals in their homes or community settings, creating effective interventions for those who are hard to engage, and encouraging involvement with community and faith-based networks. You will support access to medical and mainstream services, complete and review needs and risk assessments, and work to reduce unplanned hospital admissions. You will also develop and review support plans collaboratively and liaise with external agencies to ensure coordinated care.

What do I need to bring with me?

You'll need to be able to demonstrate the core skills this role requires as well as match our values and mission. You don't have to tick all the boxes right away; the important thing is that you're willing to learn. We also value lived experience of the areas we support, so if you feel comfortable, please do mention this on your application.

You will bring experience of supporting people with mental ill health and complex needs, along with a strong background in community‑based or outreach work. The role requires the ability to help service users achieve their goals, underpinned by excellent knowledge of mental health symptoms, treatments and early signs of decline. You will understand health and safety in community settings, person‑centred planning and the recovery approach. A commitment to equality, diversity, dignity and choice is essential, as is awareness of welfare benefits. You will also demonstrate solid safeguarding knowledge and the confidence to act appropriately when concerns arise.

Interview Steps

We keep our interview process simple, so you know exactly what to expect.

• Shortlisting call: We have a team of dedicated recruitment specialists who will speak to you about your experience, motivations and values. They will also tell you about all the great work we do!
• Face to face interview: Now you will have face to face interview with the hiring manager. Our interviews are value and competency based.

Don't be alarmed if there are other stages in the process, it's all part of the plan for some of our roles.

Our commitment to Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion

Our services users come from all walks of life and so do we. We hire great people from a wide variety of backgrounds because it makes us stronger. We are committed to creating and maintaining a diverse and inclusive workforce and value the skills, abilities, talent and experiences, different people and communities bring to our organisation.

We are a disability confident employer

Hestia is proud to be a disability confident employer, dedicated to the employment and career development of individuals with disabilities. We offer a guaranteed interview scheme for all applicants with disabilities who meet the minimum criteria for the role they have applied for. We also provide reasonable adjustments during the selection and interview process, and throughout your employment with us.

Safeguarding Statement

Hestia is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of adults, children and young people who are potentially at risk, and we therefore expect all staff and volunteers to do the same. We require all staff to undertake internal and external safeguarding training throughout their employment with Hestia.

Important Information for Candidates

If your application is successful, please be aware that you will be required to undergo pre-employment checks before a formal offer of employment can be confirmed.

We reserve the right to close this job advert early should we receive a high volume of applications or if the position is filled before the closing date. We encourage interested candidates to apply as soon as possible to ensure their application is considered.