Outreach worker jobs in London

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.

We are currently seeking an Outreach Worker to join our dedicated team.  We recognise that the transition from the Approved Premises to community living can be a difficult time for our residents.  As Outreach Worker, you will support residents remaining in the Reading area, both prior to their move on and for up to six months post move on.  The aim is to support them living independently, with practical matters and signposting to additional support services within the community. 

This is a part time post, working 20 hours a week.  The proposed working pattern is Monday – Friday, 1pm – 5pm, but we are open to considering alternative working arrangements. 

Key Responsibilities:

• Identify residents that will be remaining in Reading at the earliest opportunity and work with them to prepare for move on, completing needs assessments and support plans.
• Continue to work with residents remaining in Reading for approximately six months post move on to support their successful resettlement into the community.
• Work closely with partner agencies (to include Alana House, Reading Borough Council, Thames Valley Police).
• Engage with residents in a fair and consistent manner, using motivational methods that promote the desired outcomes of compliance and rehabilitation.
• Work in line with all Elizabeth Fry Charity policies and procedures.

About You:

Essential Skills and Experience:

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with strong attention to detail.
• Confidence using IT systems, particularly Microsoft Excel and Word.
• Effective time management and organisational skills.
• A commitment to the values and mission of Elizabeth Fry Charity.

Desirable:

• Experience working with individuals facing a range of social or personal difficulties.
• Understanding of the criminal justice system, particularly the Probation Service.
• Awareness of the challenges faced by women in the criminal justice system.

Personal Attributes:

• High levels of enthusiasm, motivation, and a proactive approach to work.
• Ability to work within professional boundaries, balancing care, and control.
• Flexible and adaptable, willing to take on a variety of tasks.
• Commitment to safeguarding and equal opportunities.

Why Join Us?

At Elizabeth Fry Charity, you’ll be part of a passionate and supportive team, making a real difference in the lives of vulnerable women. We value professional development and offer a collaborative working environment where your contribution truly matters.

In addition, we offer.

· Access to Perkbox, an employee benefits platform. 

· Confirmation in post bonus following successful completion of Probationary Period, as well as long term service awards at both three and ten years. 

· Access to Employee Assistance Programme. 

· 25 days of annual leave plus Bank Holidays per annum (pro rata), which increases with length of service up to 30 days.

· Meals provided at the Approved Premises by an in-house Chef, who will cater for all dietary requirements. 

Job Description

Main Duties and Responsibilities

Delivery of Services and Standards

· Identify residents that will be remaining in Reading at the earliest opportunity and work with them to prepare for move on, completing needs assessments and support plans.

· Continue to work with residents remaining in Reading for approximately six months post move on to support their successful resettlement into the community.

· Refer women to Alana House and support them to engage with this service.

· Work closely with partner agencies (to include Alana House, Reading Borough Council, Thames Valley Police).

• Engage with residents in a fair and consistent manner, using motivational methods that promote the desired outcomes of compliance and rehabilitation.
• Contribute to the enforcement of non-compliance with the Elizabeth Fry Charity programme, Elizabeth Fry Charity rules, licence and/or bail conditions.
• Contribute to the management of risk of re-offending and serious harm, through the monitoring of residents and liaison with other agencies, e.g. Probation Service, Police and Social Services.

· Liaise with other agencies to ensure that proposed ‘move on’ plans are appropriate, based on the residents’ licence and/or bail conditions and risk profile.

• Work as an effective member of the Elizabeth Fry Charity team, in accordance with agreed requirements and objectives.
• Undertake any other duties requested of you by a Manager, to ensure the Elizabeth Fry Charity is able to function as required.
• Complete all monitoring and evaluation requirements in the necessary timeframe.

Management of Physical Resources

• Ensure that any health and safety and/or building maintenance issues are reported to the appropriate Manager.
• Follow all health and safety, fire and Elizabeth Fry Charity security procedures.

Management of Systems and Information

• Maintain accurate and timely records, using the appropriate case management, assessments and local systems. 
• Maintain residents’ individual files to the required standards.
• Make records available for inspection and/or monitoring, as required.

General

• Undertake training, as required by the Elizabeth Fry Charity.
• Comply with all of Elizabeth Fry Charity policies and expectations.
• Actively engage in team meetings, practice development meetings, appraisal and supervision meeting with the Approved Premises Operations Manager and contribute to the business plan.
• Undertake any other duties requested of you by a Manager to ensure the Elizabeth Fry Charity is able to function as required.

Person Specification

Experience and skills

Essential

Excellent verbal and written communication skills with great attention to detail.

Confidence in using IT systems, including excel and word.

Excellent time management skills.

Desirable

Experience of working with a wide variety of people who have experienced a range of social/personal difficulties.

Knowledge and understanding of the work of the Probation Service and the assessment and management of risk.

An understanding of the challenges facing women who are involved in the criminal justice system.

Personal Qualities and Attributes

Essential

Commitment to the work and values of Elizabeth Fry Charity

High levels of enthusiasm, self-motivation and a “can do” attitude.

Ability to work appropriately within boundaries and to balance issues surrounding care and control.

Flexible approach to work and a willingness to undertake a variety of tasks.

Commitment to equal opportunities and safeguarding.