Rough Sleep Support Worker

Job Information

Social / NGO / Health & Care

City Northampton

Province Northamptonshire

Postal Code NN1

Job Description Rough Sleep Support Worker - 3 Month Contract

Location: North Northamptonshire (Working Across the County)

Contract: 3 Month Contract Initially

Hours: Full Time

Working Pattern: Office Based - 5 Days Per Week

DBS: Enhanced DBS Required

Driving Requirement: Valid UK Driving Licence and Access to Own Vehicle Required

About the Role

North Northamptonshire Council is seeking an experienced Rough Sleep Support Worker to join its Rough Sleeping Service.

The successful candidate will play a key role in helping the Council achieve its aim of ensuring rough sleeping is rare, brief, and non-recurring through the delivery of street outreach, housing-related support, homelessness prevention, and multi-agency interventions.

This role involves engaging with rough sleepers across North Northamptonshire, building trusted relationships, undertaking outreach work, and supporting individuals to access accommodation, health services, welfare support, and other specialist services.

Due to the nature of the role, candidates must be willing to work outside normal office hours to undertake street outreach sessions.

Key Responsibilities
Street Outreach & Engagement

• Deliver an intelligence-led, flexible, and responsive street outreach service.
  
• Identify and engage rough sleepers across North Northamptonshire.
  
• Build trust with individuals who may be reluctant to engage with services.
  
• Conduct outreach visits to known rough sleeping hotspots.
  
• Coordinate emergency and crisis interventions where required.
  
• Liaise with emergency services and partner agencies when necessary.
  

Housing & Homelessness Support

• Support rough sleepers to access accommodation and housing services.
  
• Work closely with Housing Options Advisors to develop and deliver Personalised Housing Plans.
  
• Prevent repeat homelessness and rough sleeping.
  
• Assist individuals to sustain temporary and longer-term accommodation.
  
• Support move-on into settled accommodation.
  

Case Management & Support Planning

Complete:

• Needs Assessments
  
• Support Plans
  

Manage a caseload of rough sleepers and former rough sleepers.

Maintain accurate records on Council systems.

Monitor progress and review support plans regularly.

Support individuals to access:

• Physical Health Services
  
• Mental Health Services
  
• Substance Misuse Services
  
• Welfare Benefits
  
• Debt Advice
  
• Employment and Training Opportunities
  

Promote independent living skills including:

• Budgeting
  
• Cooking
  
• Shopping
  
• Cleaning
  
• Tenancy Sustainment
  

Multi-Agency Working

Work closely with:

• Adult Social Care
  
• Mental Health Services
  
• Hospitals
  
• Prisons
  
• Housing Providers
  
• Community and Faith Groups
  

Attend and contribute to multi-agency case conferences.

Lead professional meetings where appropriate.

Raise safeguarding concerns and coordinate interventions.

Service Development

Support delivery of:

• Annual Rough Sleeper Counts
  
• Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP) Responses
  

Act as a single point of contact and advocate for rough sleepers.

Help develop local support services and partnerships.

Experience working within:

• Homelessness Services
  
• Housing Support
  
• Rough Sleeping Services
  
• Social Care
  

Experience completing:

• Needs Assessments
  
• Support Plans
  

Experience managing a caseload of vulnerable individuals.

Strong understanding of:

• Homelessness Issues
  
• Rough Sleeping
  
• Safeguarding Adults
  
• Housing Related Support
  

Knowledge of the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017.

Experience working with socially excluded and vulnerable adults.

Ability to manage challenging behaviour and complex situations.

Strong advocacy and motivational skills.

Excellent communication, negotiation, and partnership-working skills.

Good IT skills including Microsoft Office and case management systems.

Essential Additional Requirements

• Enhanced DBS Clearance.
  
• Valid UK Driving Licence.
  
• Access to Own Vehicle for Work Purposes.
  
• Willingness to undertake street outreach outside standard office hours.
  
• Ability to travel across North Northamptonshire.
  

What's on Offer?

• 3 Month Contract Initially
  
• 5 Days Per Week On Site
  
• Enhanced DBS Required
  
• Driving Licence and Own Vehicle Required
  
• Bi-weekly Pay
  
• Opportunity to make a genuine difference to vulnerable individuals experiencing homelessness.
  
• Varied role combining outreach, housing support, safeguarding, and partnership working.
  
• Work within a dedicated Rough Sleeping Service focused on positive outcomes and homelessness prevention.
  

Suitable for candidates with experience as a Rough Sleep Support Worker, Outreach Worker, Homelessness Prevention Officer, Housing Support Officer, Complex Needs Worker, Floating Support Worker, Resettlement Officer, Street Outreach Worker, or Housing Options Support Practitioner.