About the Organisation:
Mary Seacole Housing Association is a highly regarded Supported Accommodation and Community Services provider committed to addressing homelessness and supporting vulnerable non-UK nationals. Our mission is to deliver immigration support, accommodation, and outreach services to individuals who face complex challenges. We aim to foster inclusive communities and provide high-quality services to our clients. You will be joining a dedicated team working on a high-impact project that focuses on helping non-UK nationals who are currently experiencing homelessness.
Role Purpose:
The Support Worker (Rough Sleeping Outreach) will play a crucial role in supporting individuals sleeping rough, with a particular focus on migrants from non-EU countries. The role involves offering assessments, placing individuals into suitable accommodation, and supporting them through resettlement, including engagement with Immigration Advisors and helping them transition to sustainable housing and employment or facilitating reconnection with their Local Authority area, country of origin, or family/friends who can offer housing or work.
This service aims to minimise new, long-term, and repeat rough sleeping by providing access to specialist health care and other vital services, ensuring that every individual receives the tailored support they need to avoid returning to homelessness.
Key Responsibilities:
Conduct Assessments: Carry out comprehensive assessments for people sleeping rough, identifying their individual needs with a trauma-informed approach and ensuring that any barriers to accessing services are removed.
Place Individuals in Accommodation: Work collaboratively with housing providers to secure appropriate accommodation, ensuring swift placements that meet the individual’s specific circumstances, including emergency accommodation when necessary.
Support Migrants: Ensure that migrants from non-EU backgrounds have access to opportunities to move into sustainable housing, employment, or reconnect with their country of origin, family, or friends who can provide support. Assist in their journey to settle into long-term accommodation and employment options, where applicable.
Engage with Immigration Advisors: Facilitate engagement with Immigration Advisors (IA) to ensure that individuals are supported with any legal or eligibility issues relating to their immigration status.
Provide Resettlement Support: Offer continued support to individuals after their placement in accommodation, focusing on resettling them effectively within four months. This includes access to employment or further assistance from relevant service providers.
Collaborate with Multi-Agency Partners: Work closely with key partners, including health services, housing teams, and local charities, to provide a holistic, multi-agency response to rough sleeping and ensure the best possible outcomes for service users.
Respond to Outreach Reports: Act promptly on reports of rough sleeping from the public, partner agencies, or tools like Streetlink, ensuring effective and timely intervention.
Build Trusting Relationships: Develop strong, trusting relationships with vulnerable individuals to help them access and engage with available services. Continuously offer support to help them transition into secure housing and avoid a return to rough sleeping.
Driving and Flexibility: The role involves travel across the borough to different locations, so a full, clean driving license is essential. The successful candidate must be flexible in their working hours, as outreach may occur during early mornings, evenings, and weekends.
Experience:
Significant experience working with migrants or individuals facing multiple disadvantages (e.g., homelessness, mental health issues, substance misuse).
Knowledge and experience of trauma-informed care and supporting individuals in crisis situations.
Skills and Competencies:
- Strong communication skills, both written and verbal, with a focus on building trust with vulnerable individuals.
- Ability to work flexibly, including evenings and weekends, to meet the needs of service users.
- Competence in conducting needs assessments, developing support plans, and assisting with resettlement efforts.
Languages / Other:
- Additional language skills are essential, particularly North African dialects, Arabic, or Hindi, to effectively communicate with migrant communities in Luton.
- Driving License: A full, clean driving license is essential, and the ability to travel across the borough to meet with service users in different locations.
- Flexibility and working hours: Outreach workers follow a varied rota, including 9 AM–5 PM shifts and early mornings like 6 AM–2 PM and 5 AM–12 PM. This ensures flexible support and outreach at key times to meet community needs effectively.
Desirable Criteria:
- Experience working in an outreach or housing support role.
- Familiarity with local housing services, immigration advice, and homelessness support in Luton.
- Ability to work in a multi-agency setting and to coordinate effectively with partners.
Other Requirements:
- Commitment to Luton Borough Council’s mission to end rough sleeping by 2027.
- Willingness to undertake further training and development as needed.
- A valid enhanced DBS check (courtesy of MSHA)
Job Types: Full-time (12 months fixed-term). Depending on funding and performance, an extension to the contract may be possible.
Pay: £28,000.00 per year (Hours: 39 hours per week)
We welcome applications from individuals who are committed to making a positive impact in the lives of others. Sounds like you'd be a great fit? Please apply and we will send you the full JD and employment application.
