Outreach worker jobs in London

We are looking for a compassionate and motivated Assertive Outreach Worker to join our Liaison and Diversion Service. Working alongside criminal justice, health and community partners, you will support vulnerable people with mental health needs, learning disabilities, substance misuse issues and other complex challenges to access the services they need. Through person-centred outreach and practical support, you will help individuals improve their wellbeing, reduce barriers to engagement and achieve positive outcomes at a crucial point in their lives.

Catalyst Support, in partnership with Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, provides the Liaison and Diversion Service across Surrey. The service aims to identify and support vulnerable people of all ages at the earliest opportunity when they come into contact with the criminal justice system. This includes individuals experiencing mental health difficulties, learning disabilities, substance misuse issues and other vulnerabilities.

As an Assertive Outreach Worker, you will provide person-centred, community-based support to individuals following assessment by the Liaison and Diversion team. You will work closely with health, social care and criminal justice partners to help people access appropriate services, improve their health and wellbeing, and address the challenges that may place them at risk of further involvement in the criminal justice system.

The role involves engaging individuals within their local communities, supporting them to achieve their goals, reducing barriers to accessing support, and promoting positive outcomes. Through collaborative working and practical interventions, you will contribute to improved decision-making within criminal justice partnerships while helping vulnerable individuals access the support they need to move forward positively

Location: Farnham Road Hospital, Guildford
Salary: £29,220
Hours: 35 hours per week
Contract type: Permanent

Key responsibilities:

• To work with Liaison and Diversion colleagues in locality criminal justice settings to engage with individuals following assessment
• To actively engage with clients in their local community to support the client achieve their goals following assessment
• To conduct continuous risk assessments and develop and update risk management plans with partners
• To adhere to all the policies and practices of the Liaison and Diversion service
• To provide advice, information and appropriate harm reduction advice based on an individual’s needs
• To support the client to engage with key local services to improve their health and wellbeing e.g. primary care, housing, benefits etc.
• To jointly work with the client’s other support workers to ensure client meets any criminal justice requirements
• To transport clients to appointments as required and support clients at assessments and ongoing appointments, where appropriate and if needed
• To develop joint working arrangements with key local services, attend joint assessments if required and attend partnerships meetings
• To support individuals to find employment, undertake training, access support services, and cultivate positive social networks
• To keep up-to-date records, data and outcomes in line with the service contract

 About Catalyst Support

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

About you

• You have experience supporting adults with complex needs, including mental health, substance misuse, learning disabilities, homelessness or housing challenges.
• You are passionate about helping vulnerable people achieve positive outcomes and improve their wellbeing.
• You can build trusting relationships and engage people in their communities using a person-centred approach.
• You have experience of risk assessment, risk management and safeguarding.
• You understand harm reduction approaches and can provide practical, tailored support.
• You work effectively with a range of services and professionals, including health, housing, employment and criminal justice partners.
• You are confident working independently while also contributing to a multidisciplinary team.
• You have strong communication skills and can maintain accurate, confidential records.
• You are organised, resilient and able to manage a varied workload.
• You are able to work flexibly and travel across Surrey as required.
• You share our values of kindness, integrity and commitment to supporting wellness.
• You are committed to ongoing learning and professional development.
• Ideally, you hold a qualification in counselling, psychology, social work, probation, mental health, learning disabilities, or Health and Social Care.

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 a basic 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.

About Us

The Comedy School draws on the power of comedy to improve wellbeing across community, health, education and criminal justice settings. Since 1998, we have co-designed and delivered workshops, courses and training projects that build confidence, resilience and life skills for socially isolated and vulnerable people. We have worked with individuals with mental health conditions in collaboration with South London and Maudsley Recovery College for 15 years, and in 2023 expanded this work to veterans in partnership with London’s NHS Veterans Mental Health Services. Our Comedy for Veterans programme delivers evidence-based interventions that improve confidence, connections, wellbeing and sense of purpose.

Purpose of Role: The Veterans’ Worker will lead on outreach and peer support within the Comedy for Veterans Project, with a specific focus on engaging veterans from Black and ethnic minority backgrounds, and other communities underrepresented in traditional support pathways. The role aims to ensure inclusive participation, support mental wellbeing, and sustain long-term engagement with the project.

Key Responsibilities: 

• Lead outreach and engagement efforts to promote the Comedy for Veterans Project, focusing on building trust and participation among veterans from Black, ethnic minority, and underserved communities.
• Develop and maintain partnerships with veteran organisations, community groups, and stakeholders to enhance referrals, collaboration, and community presence.
• Provide peer support and mentoring to veterans enrolled in the project, encouraging sustained participation, confidence-building, and shared learning.
• Identify and address participation barriers, including logistical, emotional, or wellbeing challenges, and signpost to appropriate services when needed.
• Support the delivery of workshops and events, working closely with facilitators to ensure activities are inclusive, accessible, and responsive to participants’ needs.
• Collaborate with staff and partners to monitor progress, share relevant participant insights (within confidentiality boundaries), and contribute to a safe, trauma-informed environment.
• Document attendance, feedback, and outcomes for evaluation purposes, and report on engagement levels and project impact.

Essential Criteria: 

• Proven experience in outreach, peer support, mentoring, or community engagement—ideally with veterans or marginalised groups.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build trust and rapport across diverse social, cultural, and ethnic backgrounds.
• Understanding of mental health and wellbeing, including challenges commonly faced by veterans, and the confidence to respond supportively.
• Knowledge of safeguarding procedures, confidentiality protocols, and maintaining professional boundaries when working with vulnerable adults.
• Ability to work independently and manage time, alongside a flexible approach to group dynamics, changing needs, and varying energy levels.
• Commitment to inclusion and accessibility, with sensitivity to the social, cultural, and structural barriers some veterans may face.

Desirable: 

• Background in social work, community organising, mental health support, or creative arts facilitation.
• Certification in Mental Health First Aid or equivalent.
• Understanding of trauma-informed approaches in community and learning settings.

Security Checks: Enhanced DBS clearance required and project specific security checks maybe required.

This post is funded by the Veterans’ Foundation

Do you want to support people with mental health issues in a moment of crisis? Are you calm, non-judgmental 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.

Job title: Hospital Mental Health Outreach Worker / Community Outreach Worker (Bounce Back)
Reference Number: 377
Reports to: Senior Community Outreach Worker (Bounce Back)
Contract: Permanent
Hours: Full time, 37.5 hours per week (Monday – Friday, 9am – 5pm)
Based: Watford General Hospital and Watford Wellbeing Centre
Salary: £26,000 - £27,000 per annum

We have a vacancy for a Bounce Back Worker to join our team.

The Bounce Back service forms an integral part of Hertfordshire Mind Network’s Complex Needs Community Services. The service provides one-to-one outreach support to facilitate a smooth, timely and supportive discharge from hospital back in to the community.

About the Project

Herts Mind Network (HMN) has a partnership with Hertfordshire Partnership Foundation Trust (HPFT) to deliver a one-to-one outreach service for people who are in hospitals across Hertfordshire.

There is an emergency department arm of the project and will be based at Watford General Hospital working in A&E departments, with the Mental Health Liaison Team, and hospital wards facilitating hospital discharge for people with mental health need.

About the Role:

The Bounce Back Worker will be based at Watford General Hospital and HMN Centres, promoting joint working between Watford A&E, creating a seamless pathway into community support for clients recovering from mental ill health.

The aims of the Bounce Back service are to provide up to 16 sessions of emotional and practical support and advice & information to patients. We will visit patients on the ward and continue the sessions in the local community and in patient’s homes once discharged. We will facilitate a smooth and timely hospital discharge.

Key Responsibilities

The Bounce Back worker will use a recovery orientated approach working with patients on the ward, and in the local community, including in people’s homes.  The recovery approach includes empathy, warmth, acceptance, authenticity, compassion and humanity. To work with hospital staff to ensure patients are offered advice, information, and holistic support.

The post holder will need to:

• Provide practical and emotional support to encourage patients to develop their independence within their local community.
• Facilitate a smooth discharge from hospital back to the community.
• Have a solid understanding on the dual effect of mental health and drugs and alcohol.
• Monitor outcomes and evaluate the service.
• Ensure that the safety and wellbeing of patients using the service is monitored and reviewed regularly.
• Embed a person centred and recovery orientated approach in all aspects of the roles and responsibilities.

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.
• Health cover (after 6 months employment) – compensation payment for Optical, Dental, Chiropody and Therapy Treatments.
• Eligibility for blue light card.

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 9th September at 5pm.
Interviews will be held on Tuesday 15th September at our Watford Wellbeing Centre.
N.B: Please quote reference number 377 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.

We’re looking for a part time Outreach Support Worker to join us on a fixed term contract, to support vulnerable individuals across the Epping and Harlow area of Essex. You’ll be helping people overcome challenges related to mental health, physical health, and employment.

What your day might look like

• Start by visiting customers in their homes, helping them maintain their tenancies and build essential life skills.
• Support individuals with navigating welfare benefits, accessing services, and building confidence.
• Liaise with external agencies to ensure customers get the right support at the right time.
• Provide crisis intervention when needed, always with empathy and professionalism.

What makes this role special

Please note, this isn’t a personal care worker role. This is a role where it’s about empowering people, not doing things for them. You’ll help customers build resilience, develop skills, and take control of their lives. You’ll be their cheerleader, guide and advocate. You’ll be part of a passionate team that’s committed to helping people flourish, and you’ll have the freedom to work independently while making a real impact. A role where your support creates independence

Could it be you?

We’re looking for someone who:

• Has experience (professional or voluntary) in a supportive role
• Has worked with individuals facing mental health, health-related, or employment challenges
• Understands housing support needs and welfare benefits
• Can provide pre-tenancy advice and ongoing tenancy support
• Communicates clearly and solves problems with confidence
• Holds a valid UK driving licence and has access to a vehicle
• Is happy to undergo an Enhanced DBS check

What you’ll get in return

• 25 days’ annual holiday (plus bank holidays)
• Flexible benefits scheme including healthcare, dental, tech, vouchers, and more
• Up to 10% pension contribution

Please read before applying:

• Peabody is not a licensed UK sponsor, so we’re unable to offer visa sponsorship for this role.
• The role is community based, so you will need to hold a valid UK driving licence and has access to a vehicle, to be able to travel around the community.
• Interviews will be held in person at our Pitsea office on the 3rd September 2026.

Outreach Inclusive Recovery Worker

Location: Gillingham

Salary: £26,000 per annum

Vacancy Type: Permanent

We're looking for a passionate and proactive Outreach Inclusive Recovery Worker to join our team on a full-time basis (35 hours per week). This is an exciting opportunity to help improve access to recovery services for underserved communities across Medway, with a particular focus on Eastern European communities.

We are particularly interested in hearing from candidates who have experience working with Eastern European communities and understand the cultural, social and practical barriers that can impact access to support services. Your insight and ability to build trust will play a key role in helping people access the support they need.

You'll engage with people who may face barriers to treatment, build meaningful community relationships, and support individuals to access recovery, health and wellbeing services.

What you'll be doing:

• Delivering outreach in community settings across Medway
• Building relationships with underrepresented and migrant communities
• Reducing barriers to support, including stigma, language and mistrust
• Managing a caseload and delivering person-centred recovery support
• Completing assessments, recovery plans and harm reduction interventions
• Developing partnerships with community groups, voluntary organisations and key stakeholders
• Identifying gaps in service access and helping shape more inclusive services
• Managing risk, safeguarding concerns and maintaining accurate records

What we're looking for:

• Experience in health, social care, community work or supporting people facing barriers to services
• Strong communication, engagement and relationship-building skills
• An understanding of substance use, recovery and person-centred support
• A commitment to equality, diversity, inclusion and anti-discriminatory practice
• The ability to work independently and build connections within local communities

We'd especially love to hear from you if you have:

• Experience working with migrant and/or Eastern European communities
• Outreach or community engagement experience
• Lived experience of substance use and recovery (where you choose to disclose this)
• The ability to communicate in Polish, Romanian, Bulgarian, Lithuanian or another Eastern European language (desirable, not essential)

If you're passionate about tackling health inequalities, empowering communities and supporting people on their recovery journey, we'd love to hear from you.

Please see attached Job Description for full details

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
• BHSF 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)

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

To Apply

If you feel you are a suitable candidate and would like to work for Forward Trust, please click apply

We are looking for a compassionate and proactive Assertive Outreach Worker to support people experiencing multiple disadvantage, including mental health needs, substance use, homelessness, social isolation, or other complex challenges. This role will involve building trusting relationships with people who may find it difficult to engage with services, providing practical and emotional support, and working closely with partner agencies to help individuals access the right support at the right time.

The role focuses on building trust with individuals who may be reluctant to engage with traditional services, helping to reduce health inequalities, improve wellbeing, strengthen safety, build confidence and support sustainable recovery and independence.

The post holder will deliver community-based outreach, complete needs and risk assessments, co-produce support and safety plans, maintain accurate case records and work closely with partner agencies including housing, health, social care, domestic abuse services, drug and alcohol services and criminal justice partners.

This opportunity would suit someone with experience of supporting vulnerable adults, particularly in areas such as mental health, substance misuse, homelessness, domestic abuse, exploitation, safeguarding or multiple disadvantage. Strong safeguarding knowledge, sound risk management skills, resilience and a non-judgemental approach are essential, alongside a commitment to Catalyst’s values of kindness, commitment and integrity.

Location: Nankeville Court, Woking, with travel across Surrey)
Salary: £31,140.00 (Pro-rata)
Hours: 27.5 hours per week
Contract type: Fixed Term - 5 years

Key responsibilities:

Outreach & Engagement

• Deliver assertive outreach across Surrey providing a person centred and trauma informed approach to clients referred into the project.
• To work with clients in the community using a safe, risk assessed approach. Working collaboratively with other practitioners to best support the needs of the client.
• To conduct continuous risk assessments on client’s needs, presenting behaviour including harm to self and/or others and consider this risk in deciding the outreach approach. Develop and update risk management and crisis contingency plans within the necessary systems as required.
• To conduct continuous risk assessments on client’s needs, presenting behaviour including harm to self and/or others and consider this risk in deciding the outreach approach. Develop and update risk management and crisis contingency plans within the necessary systems as required.
• Work with clients to develop an action plan that best fits their current needs, identifying any barriers and be proactive in supporting them to achieve their goals.
• Undertake continuous assessments with all clients, monitoring their well-being and development through the use of, but not limited to, GAD7, PHQ9, impact reporting and individual case studies.
• Engage service users who may be resistant or disengaged from traditional support services.

Safeguarding & Risk Management

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

Case Management

• To record and maintain accurate and comprehensive client case notes on our database. Including ensuring all project monitoring material is completed within set timeframes and reported to management.
• Complete needs assessments and co-produce support plans tailored to individual needs.
• Monitor progress and adjust interventions accordingly.

Multi-Agency Working

• Attend multi-agency meetings (e.g., MARAC, safeguarding meetings, case conferences).
• To facilitate joint working with other support services to tackle any barriers, including Housing; Health; Social care; Domestic abuse; Drug and Alcohol and Criminal Justice.
• Advocate on behalf of clients to access services, housing, and support.

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 Catalyst Support

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

About you

The post is looking for someone who has:

• Experience supporting vulnerable adults, particularly in areas such as mental health, substance misuse, homelessness, domestic abuse, exploitation, safeguarding or multiple disadvantage.
• Experience of assertive outreach, intensive engagement or working with people who may be reluctant to access support.
• A strong understanding of safeguarding, risk management and working with complex or high-risk situations.
• Knowledge of issues such as cuckooing, county lines, exploitation, trauma-informed practice and harm reduction.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build trust and work in a non-judgemental way.
• The ability to work independently, manage competing priorities and make sound decisions in challenging environments.
• Resilience, empathy and strong problem-solving skills.
• Good IT and record-keeping skills.
• The ability to work flexibly across Surrey, with a full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle.
• A commitment to Catalyst’s values of kindness, commitment and integrity, and to equality, diversity and inclusion.

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 a basic 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. Please let us know if you require any adjustments to support your application.

Homelessness Outreach Support Worker

We are seeking someone who can build trust, support people experiencing complex needs and help them move away from rough sleeping.

Position: Rough Sleeper Navigator (internal title)
Salary: £28,135 to £30,635 per annum
Location: Bradbury Centre and community based
Hours: 37 hours per week, worked on a rota including early mornings, late nights, weekends and bank holidays
Contract: Permanent
Closing date: 31st August 2026
Interviews: 8th September 2026

About the role

This is a hands-on outreach role providing intensive, end-to-end support to people who are rough sleeping and experiencing complex, interlinked challenges. These may include housing, substance use, offending behaviour and physical or mental health needs.

Working with individuals on the street and in the community, you will provide consistent, personalised support to help them access accommodation, healthcare, treatment, benefits and other essential services.

Key responsibilities include:

• Delivering outreach based on local intelligence and StreetLink alerts, including early morning, late-night and weekend shifts
• Acting as a consistent point of contact and advocate with housing, healthcare, welfare and other services
• Assessing individual needs and developing personalised support plans
• Providing psychologically informed, trauma-informed and recovery-focused support
• Helping people address barriers to treatment, accommodation and recovery
• Supporting individuals with health, budgeting, benefits and access to community services
• Helping people retain their accommodation, prevent eviction and move on when ready
• Maintaining an active caseload and keeping accurate, confidential records
• Contributing to the evaluation and development of services

About you

You will be able to build trust with people who may have experienced trauma, exclusion and multiple disadvantages. You will be resilient, calm when managing challenging situations and committed to providing respectful, person-centred support.

You will need:

• Experience of engaging and motivating people with complex and diverse needs
• Experience of assessing needs and developing support plans
• Knowledge of housing, health, homelessness services and relevant legislation
• Strong communication, relationship-building and conflict-management skills
• The ability to work effectively with local partner agencies
• A full UK or equivalent driving licence
• Willingness to work early mornings, late nights, weekends and bank holidays

An NVQ Level 3 or equivalent qualification in health and social care, housing, information, advice and guidance, or a related subject would be advantageous.

About the organisation

You will join an organisation committed to preventing homelessness and helping people make lasting, positive changes. Its services are built around dignity, compassion and respect, with teams working collaboratively to provide safe, effective and responsive support.

Other roles you may have experience of could include: Outreach Worker, Homelessness Support Worker, Housing Support Worker, Recovery Worker, Substance Misuse Worker, Community Support Worker, Complex Needs Worker, Engagement Worker or Rough Sleeper Outreach Worker.

Please note this role is advertised by the recruitment agency acting for the client, Not For Profit People. #INDNFP