Outreach worker jobs in East of england

We are seeking a Sessional Project Worker to join our Perinatal Outreach service, to co-facilitate group support for perinatal clients (pregnant women and birthing people of children less than 2 years old) within the London Boroughs of Bromley and Greenwich.

You will help to support women under the care of the Oxleas Perinatal Mental Health Team with moderate to severe mental health challenges who have been identified as requiring additional practical and social support.

You will attend a regular programme of perinatal support groups and activities that encourage women to access outreach support within the local community, develop social networks and reduce isolation as part of their recovery plan. Current activities include weekly play sessions, walking group, soft play, picnics and monthly outings.

Applicants should have a good understanding of mental health challenges in the perinatal period alongside experience of responding to emotional crisis and managing risk. An ability to adapt to multiple and diverse needs, to be proactive and work independently but collaboratively is essential for this role.

Closing date: Tuesday 23rd June (11:59pm)

Likely interview date: Wednesday 8th July

We encourage early applications as we reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we receive a high number of applications.

About Us

SEL Mind supports people with mental health problems and dementia in the boroughs of Bromley, Greenwich, Lambeth, Lewisham and Southwark. We are proud of our diverse workforce and know that our organisation is made stronger by the variety of backgrounds, experience, and ideas within it. We promote a culture of inclusion and representation, and are working hard to build a workforce that even better reflects the communities we support.

SEL Mind is somewhere that you can be your authentic self without fear of discrimination on the grounds of ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability, neurodivergence, gender, age, lived experience of mental health problems or anything else that’s part of who you are.

The purpose of this role is to provide 1-1 support to an outreach caseload: ensuring survivors of trafficking and sexual exploitation understand their rights and that these are met, coaching survivors to identify their personal goals, supporting survivors to access the appropriate services/treatment providers and ultimately supporting them into independence.

We are looking for a passionate individual who has experience of working with women who have experienced trafficking, exploitation, and/or modern slavery, who is aligned with the vision and mission of Ella’s and who can develop strong partnerships with other community organisations and groups, both locally within London boroughs and London wide.

Special conditions
● You will be asked to provide an enhanced DBS check.
● Due to the nature of this work, this role is for women only.
● The postholder is expected to take part in the out of hours on-call service.
● Ability and willingness to work flexibly, and at other Ella’s locations.

Two reasons why you should join Ella’s
1. You will make a difference: Ella’s is a London-based organisation working with women who have survived trafficking and sexual exploitation. Join us, and be a crucial part of ensuring survivors have all they need to recover and build lives that are safe and free.
2. You will work in a great place: We are a passionate, growing organisation. Of our staff, 100% say they would recommend Ella’s as a place to work. As a team, we are strong, women-led, authentic, professional, fun and supportive of one another.

Job description 

Casework provision

• Provide high-quality casework support to service users on the outreach caseload (including children and families in some cases). 

• Support survivor empowerment to speak out and self-advocate

• Carry out regular risk assessment with survivors and respond to any safeguarding concerns as per Ella’s safeguarding procedures

• Create tailored support plans in collaboration with service users

• Provide day-to-day support and build trusting relationships with the service users

• Be sensitive to the rapidly changing emotional and physical needs of the service users and respond accordingly

• Manage all paperwork, processing any personal data in accordance with Ella’s policies and procedures

• Ensure casenote records are recorded within 24 hours of each service user contact using Ella’s case management system

• Assist service users with administrative tasks as required: reaching out to supporting agencies, booking appointments, form-filling, and attending appointments

• Assume an advocacy role during external appointments, if required

• Assist in writing covering letters and support letters to compliment service users’ application forms, advocate for the service user in specific needs, or to keep other organisations updated as required

• Research the requirements for benefit applications and assisting service users to complete (as required). E.g. S95 asylum subsistence claims, HC2 certificate applications, and state benefits claims

• Assist with maintaining frequent communication with the Home Office, law enforcement and solicitors to progress survivor legal cases

• Liaise effectively with other agencies involved in the care or support of service users to ensure their needs are sufficiently met

Safeguarding & health and safety 

• Ensure all major incidents, accidents, safeguarding concerns or potential hazards are managed, reported and recorded following Ella’s policies and procedures

• Maintain a safe and secure working environment, ensuring all safety and security procedures are followed to keep self and others safe

• Participate in the identification and assessment of risks and implement agreed working procedures to minimise their impact; writing risk assessments as required

• Promote awareness of health and safety amongst service users, including those who use emergency/on call systems, fire prevention and control systems as necessary

• Ensure the location confidentiality of Ella’s premises to protect survivors and safeguard staff and volunteers

• Participate in any relevant safeguarding training and keep up to date with any changes to Ella’s safeguarding policies and procedures 

Other/general duties

• Develop strategic partnerships with local agencies working within the VAWG sector and other local organisations or businesses that could enrich the work of Ella’s

• Take part in the out of hours on-call service

• Attend any training required for the role, keeping up to date with any developments and changes within the sector

• Represent the work at Ella’s with integrity at all times

• Adhere to all of Ella's policies and procedures at all times

• Be an active member of the organisation, attending any team meetings that are required and contribute to Ella's strategic goals and input into its direction of growth

• Attend monthly supervision with the Service Manager and keep in regular contact

• Handle emergency situations calmly and professionally

• Complete any other duties as directed by the Service Manager which are within the scope of the role

• Attend bi-weekly team meetings

Benefits

• Part of a small and committed team, a dynamic organisation changing women’s lives, supporting and empowering them to build their futures

• Access to a professional supervisor

• 28 days annual leave plus bank holidays

• Mental health days

• Regular social wellbeing initiatives.

• Health benefits programme for all staff.

Special conditions

• An enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check will be undertaken

• Due to the nature of the work, this post is for women only

• The role is subject to a 6-month probationary period

• The postholder is expected to take part in the out of hours on-call service

• Ability and willingness to work flexibly, and at other Ella’s locations if required, is necessary for this role

How to apply for this role

To apply for this role, please submit the following to CharityJob:

• Up-to-date CV 

• Application questions 

• CharityJob monitoring and evaluation form. The information on this form will be treated as confidential and used for statistical purposes only. The form will not be treated as part of your application. This form is submitted online and does not need to be emailed with your application documents. 

Candidates will be invited to interview by email - please check your spam folder.

If you have queries about any aspect of this role or the appointment process, need additional information or wish to have an informal and confidential discussion, then please send us a message. Please also note that an appointment to this role will be subject to a DBS check.

More about Ella’s
Ella’s is a London-based organisation working with women who have survived trafficking and sexual exploitation. Our mission is to do everything we can to ensure survivors have all they need to recover and build lives that are safe and free. 

Here is a summary of our main activities:
 

• We run seven safe houses. This supported accommodation is crucial for survivors, until they are ready and able to live independently. 

• We provide regular support for women and families in neighbourhoods across London, and many more further afield when they need us. 

• We speak out on issues affecting the women we work with. We care deeply about survivors of trafficking and exploitation and want to see a world where these crimes are not tolerated. 

Ella’s is an equal opportunities employer. We encourage applications from all backgrounds and communities, as we believe having a diverse team adds value and positively impacts our service. 

We actively encourage applicants from BAME backgrounds, LGBTQ+ applicants and those with disabilities. We are committed to equality and diversity within our organisation.

Do you want to support people with mental health issues in a moment of crisis?

Are you calm, non-judgemental and able to work effectively with people experiencing distress?

If you can embody our values of Hope, Courage, Togetherness, and Responsiveness, and want to help others build resilience and manage their wellbeing, we’d love to hear from you.

Mental Health and Homelessness Outreach Worker x 4
Reference: 358
Salary: £26,000 – £27,000 per annum
Hours: 37.5 hours per week (Monday – Friday, 9am – 5pm)
Contract: Fixed term 1 Year
Working base(s):
1 person to be based in Borehamwood Wellbeing Centre,
1 person to be based in Ware Wellbeing Centre
1 person to be based in St Albans Wellbeing Centre
1 person to be based in Hatfield Wellbeing Centre

About the Service

The Complex Needs Housing Service works as a multi-disciplinary team with housing teams and Drug and Alcohol Services across District and Borough councils. These teams will be working with individuals who are presenting as homeless and have a number of Complex Needs. The service has been running since 2022 with a dual-district model, however, is now expanding to offer a single district outreach service.

The objectives of the Complex Needs Housing Service are to:

• Improve the mental wellbeing of people experiencing mental ill health.
• Increase early access to help for people experiencing mental ill health in, by providing a clear and effective pathway to services provided by Herts Mind Network and other third sector and statutory providers.
• Contribute to an improvement in individual mental wellbeing.
• Remain a source of independent support for all clients.
• Reduce the use of police, ASB, tenancy enforcement, housing needs and environmental health services by clients whose primary need is related to mental ill health.
• Reduce the use of crisis services by people experiencing mental ill health without positive outcomes for the individual.
• Provide an assertive outreach approach for clients who are in crisis and/ or those that may have complex or multiple needs.
• Work collaboratively within a Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT) consisting of Change Grow Live (CGL), District and Borough councils, housing teams and other professionals.

About the Role

The purpose of the Hertfordshire Mind Network Community Outreach Worker role is to:

• To provide advice, information, onward referral and holistic support to clients who are experiencing mental ill health or need support with their mental wellbeing. These will be clients who are presenting to District and Borough councils as homeless and need intervention and support with their mental health and housing.
• To ensure that the safety and wellbeing of the client is monitored and reviewed regularly.
• To remain a source of independent support for all clients.
• Embed a person-centred recovery orientated and trauma informed approach in all aspects of the roles.

We offer:

• Annual leave entitlement of 25 days per year pro rata, rising in increments to a max. of 29 days after 5 years employment (plus 8 days Bank Holidays)
• An additional day of leave each year for your birthday following completion of probation period.
• Ongoing training relevant to your role.
• An Employee Assistance Programme.
• Eligibility for blue light card.
• Health cover (after 6 months employment) – compensation payment for Optical, Dental, Chiropody and Therapy Treatments.

Being able to drive and having access to your own vehicle (or equivalent) is essential for this role.

Closing date for receipt of applications is Wednesday 17th June at 5pm.
Interviews to be held on Thursday 25th June and Monday 29th June at our Watford Wellbeing Centre.

N.B. Please quote reference number 358 when completing your application for this role.

Interested?

If you would like to find out more, please click the apply button. You will be directed to our website to complete your application for this position.

We welcome applications from all suitably-qualified candidates, irrespective of gender, disability, marital or parental status, racial, ethnic or social origin, colour, religion, belief, or sexual orientation. In addition, during the various stages of recruitment, specific measures can be taken to ensure equal opportunities for candidates with disabilities or special needs.

Hertfordshire Mind Network is committed to the Disability Confident and Mindful Employer charters. We actively recruit staff who have a lived experience of mental ill health. Our inclusive approach recognises the unique skills, knowledge, and perspectives that lived experience brings to our team.

No agencies please.