Outreach Worker, One year fixed term contract, Full time, Gillingham

Outreach Worker
Gillingham
One year fixed term contract
£11.80 per hour
Must be able to drive

We are looking for individuals who are able to make a difference to homeless people in Medway. Working as part of our Rough Sleeping Initiative you will build up relationships with the most vulnerable people on our streets and provide support and advice. You will be responsible for conducting outreach work across Medway, verifying who is out there, engaging and supporting those out on the streets.


Main Responsibilities

1. To engage rough sleepers within the Medway area through outreach work.
2. To use a person-centred approach to those who are reluctant to engage with support services. This may include working closely with and sharing information with statutory agencies.
3. To interview and assess applicants and to keep all parties (e.g. referrers, applicants etc.) informed of progress and the outcome.
4. To make referrals to relevant support in order that rough sleepers with mental health or substance misuse needs are actively engaged in treatment.
5. To ensure that people with the appropriate entitlement are referred to the appropriate Local Authority Housing Department for long term accommodation where this suits their needs and is compatible with their reasonable preferences.
6. To ensure that rough sleepers referred to accommodation are given full and comprehensive information about the accommodation, including details of services available, ensuring that clients know their rights and responsibilities of their tenancy in order to ensure a high rate of successful retention.
7. To establish positive working relationships with service users and to provide guidance and assistance to the service user in drawing up a support plan to meet their housing-related support needs and support them in reaching their aims. To review and update the support plan regularly.
8. Ongoing support to client once housed to ensure that Utilities are set up and rent account does not fall into arrears. All entitled benefits are in place.
9. Ensure that clients wellbeing is improved /maintained through social inclusion, Life skills training, job search, registered with a G.P. Ensure that rough sleepers are made aware of relevant provision in the area, e.g. day centres, food banks, advice services.

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