Rough Sleeping Outreach Worker

• Working directly with customers to help deal with housing issues and prevent homelessness in the city
• Go out at different times of day, including early in the morning, to look for people sleeping rough and to help them away from the streets
• Seek to engage with rough sleepers and check their immediate health and wellbeing, gather information about their situation, and provide further advice, support and signposting to appropriate services
• Take a person-centred and trauma-informed approach to working with any individuals who may be rough sleeping
• Make use of the strong partnerships with other organisations in Portsmouth to help them access accommodation and support
• Manage a caseload of clients who are known to be sleeping rough in Portsmouth
• Provide a range of interventions as part of a tailored package of support which could include assisting with benefit claims, GP registrations, exploring housing options and engaging in recovery support for addiction

• Ideally has experience working with vulnerable and homeless people, or households with housing problems
• Has an awareness of the Equality Act 2010 and the Care Act 2014, and of adult safeguarding principles and procedures
• Is able to advocate for customers by developing positive relationships with other agencies
• Is confident in making risks assessments in relation to customers' circumstances
• Is able to listen to people and not rush to conclusions or judgements
• Has tact and diplomacy
• Possesses negotiating and advocacy skills
• Able to work on their own initiative and who can be proactive, and solution focused
• Able to work well within a highly functioning team
• Is emotionally resilient
• Can maintain accurate records of all clients
• Has the ability to communicate clearly to colleagues, partners and customers, verbally and in writing
• Is competent in the use of IT to manage and monitor a small team's caseload effectively
• Basic ICT skills, including the use of Word, Excel and PowerPoint, Outlook and other Office 365 applications such as SharePoint
• Is able to work flexibly as part of a rota, which will include shifts on some weekends and bank holidays, some early mornings and some evenings
• Is willing and able to travel to meet customers in a variety of locations as needed within the Portsmouth city area

• An awareness of relevant housing legislation such as the Housing Act 1996, Homelessness Act 2002 and Homeless Reduction Act 2017
• A valid driving licence and access to a car are therefore desirable for this role

7.5% shift allowance