Housing First Worker – Homeless Oxfordshire, Oxford

Job Title: Housing First Worker
Hours: 37.5 Hours Status: Permanent
Accountable to: Service Manger (Housing First)
Remuneration: Per annum £29,849 Responsible for: Housing First
Location: Oxford

About us:

We are an open door for people experiencing homelessness whose lives have been shaped by trauma and disadvantage; providing safety, stability and support when it is needed most. We deliver this support across Oxfordshire by providing a range of accommodation with access to high quality support, offering a safe and welcoming space for people to take control of their own lives.

Main purpose of job:

The Housing First Worker is part of a small dynamic team delivering a personalised, trauma informed support service to people with complex needs facing multiple exclusions in line with Housing First principles to create long term sustainable tenancies by increasing independence and maximising connectivity with the local community.

Please use the link below to learn more about the principles of Housing First

The Principles of Housing First | Homeless Link

At Homeless Oxfordshire, we recognise that tenancy sustainment is the foundation of Housing First, but it is only one part of a person’s journey to recovery and stability. Our approach is person-centred, trauma-informed, and flexible, designed to meet each individual where they are. We work with people to identify their own priorities, goals, and aspirations, supporting them to address multiple and overlapping needs beyond housing, including mental and physical health, social inclusion, wellbeing, and recovery from substance use or trauma. We adopt a whole-person approach: while stable housing is the keystone, our support is built around the person’s broader needs, recognising that meaningful progress may be measured in steps as small as reconnecting with family, managing health appointments, or building confidence to engage in community life.

Working with individuals with entrenched rough sleeping histories and multiple. This cohort includes people with long-term mental ill health, substance dependence, neurodiversity, trauma, offending histories and repeated exclusion from services.

Homeless Oxfordshire staff routinely undertake pre-tenancy work with individuals accepted onto Housing First, including psychological preparation for independent living, harm reduction planning, liaison with mental health and substance misuse services, and practical support with budgeting, daily living and community integration. This work is undertaken in close collaboration with statutory and voluntary sector partners and is underpinned by psychologically informed and trauma-responsive practice.

Support is delivered flexibly between 8am and 6pm. All staff will be trained in Housing First principles, trauma-informed practice, psychologically informed environments, safeguarding, suicide prevention, harm reduction, and multi-agency risk management. Regular reflective practice sessions and access to specialist consultation (including psychology through existing NHS-linked services) will support staff wellbeing and high-quality practice.

Senior Support workers will hold a maximum caseload of 6-7 individuals in line with housing first fidelity standards to enable flexible, assertive and long term support. Low caseload allows staff to provide in reach and floating support, respond rapidly to crises, accompany people to appointments and work alongside individuals in their homes and communities in a trauma informed way.

Main Areas of Responsibility:

• Deliver wrap-around intensive, trauma informed support to people with multiple and complex issues within their own independent tenancies
• Maintain accurate up to date records of progress against individual support plans, safety plans and outcome information.
• Liaise with other agencies to facilitate access to support.
• Regularly review the person-centred support plan to update, record and monitor progress of caseload.
• Build and maintain networks with staff from other stakeholders building support around eacjh of our housing first residents.
• Adhere to good practice safeguarding procedures with a positive risk-taking approach to ensure the wellbeing of vulnerable people
• Perform robust assessments of referrals for the service to ensure the service is provided to those that meet the eligibility criteria.
• Promote, and encourage peer involvement within the service.
• Complete dynamic risk assessments and maintain own safety by following lone working procedures.
• Comply with Homeless Oxfordshire’s policies and procedures

• Contribute to a positive working environment in which equality and diversity are valued and staff are enabled to do their best.

• Contribute to the work of the broader team.

Safeguarding statement:

Homeless Oxfordshire is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all adults, children and young people who are at risk of harm and that come into contact with our services. We believe that all adults, children and young people have an equal right to protection from abuse, regardless of their age, race, religion, ability, gender, language, background or sexual identity and consider the wellbeing of the vulnerable adult, child or young person is paramount. As a result, we have a robust safeguarding policy to ensure everyone is treated fairly and a whistleblowing policy to enable people raise any concerns confidentially. We expect everyone (employees, trustees, associates, volunteers and anyone working on behalf of the Company) to share this commitment and read, understand and adhere to this policy and related procedures.

Equal Opportunities:

We employ people on the basis of their abilities. We strive to attract and develop talent that is representative of our clients and all sections of the society, and do not discriminate based on of age, faith, disability, race, gender, sexuality and socio-economic, regional or cultural background. If you are shortlisted and need us to make any adjustments to help you attend for interview, please let us know.

Person Specification:

Factors Essential Desirable Recruitment Selection Method (Application, Interview, Assessment)
Knowledge, Experience, Qualifications, Professional Memberships & Training An understanding of the Housing First model and a belief in its values and principles. An understanding of the needs of homeless people. An understanding of trauma and awareness of trauma informed approaches Experience of Safeguarding Adults Knowledge of voluntary and statutory services available to homeless people Knowledge of Recovery and Harm Minimisation Significant experience of working with homeless people or people with substance use issues Knowledge of safeguarding legislation and risk assessment methodology with a positive risk-taking approach to ensure the wellbeing of vulnerable people Experience of working in a Supported Housing or Housing First Knowledge of Oxford Homeless network An understanding of housing laws & the benefits system A,I
Communication, Engagement & Relationships Focused on the views and needs of clients and other stakeholders and ensures that individual focus is at the core of service provision Demonstrate coaching skills in promoting independence. Firm belief in, and advocate for, service user involvement Confident and engaging verbal and written interpersonal skills Ability to network, build and maintain relationships with key stakeholders and partners. Able to listen and communicate clearly, encouraging feedback and reflection Communicatimmmmmon, Engagement & Relationships A,I

Analytical, Problem Solving & Judgement Skills and organisational skills Demonstrate a creative approach to problem solving; getting and keeping people engaged and demonstrating empathy. An understanding of the complex interdependencies of mental health and substance abuse and offending behaviour. Applies own knowledge and skills appropriately to contribute to the effectiveness of Homeless Oxfordshire’s operations IT literate able to produce regular monitoring reports and reports and store/retrieve information from Homeless Oxfordshire databases jkjjjjmmjh A,I
Standards & Compliance An understanding of the Housing First model and a belief in its values and principles.