Rough Sleeping Outreach Worker
Location: East Suffolk – Lowestoft and surrounding areas
Pay Rate: £20.00 per hour PAYE
Working Pattern: Predominantly community-based outreach, with approximately one day per week working from home, subject to service requirements
Driving Licence: Essential – candidates must drive and have access to their own vehicle
DBS: Enhanced DBS required
The Opportunity
LYNX Employment Services are recruiting an experienced Rough Sleeping Outreach Worker to support a local authority Housing Needs Service across East Suffolk.
This is a rewarding opportunity for a compassionate, resilient and proactive professional with experience supporting individuals experiencing homelessness, rough sleeping and complex housing needs. Working directly within the community, you will deliver assertive outreach services, engage with vulnerable individuals and help them access safe accommodation, specialist support and opportunities to rebuild their independence.
The position involves regular outreach across Lowestoft and surrounding East Suffolk market towns, with flexibility required to work outside normal office hours when necessary.
Key Responsibilities
Undertake proactive street outreach to identify and engage with individuals sleeping rough.
Respond to StreetLink referrals and investigate reports of rough sleeping.
Build positive, trusting relationships with vulnerable individuals who may be reluctant to engage with services.
Complete initial assessments, identifying housing needs, vulnerabilities, risks and support requirements.
Manage individual caseloads and develop appropriate support plans.
Assist individuals in accessing emergency accommodation, supported housing and longer-term housing solutions.
Work collaboratively with accommodation providers, Adult Social Care, mental health services, substance misuse teams and voluntary organisations.
Support individuals with accessing benefits, employment opportunities, healthcare and other essential services.
Liaise with prisons, hospitals and partner agencies to help prevent homelessness and repeat rough sleeping.
Participate in rough sleeping counts, monitoring exercises and multi-agency meetings.
Maintain accurate case records and contribute to service reporting and improvement.
Essential Requirements
A minimum of two years' experience delivering housing or homelessness-related services alongside statutory and voluntary organisations.
Experience supporting vulnerable individuals, particularly those experiencing homelessness or rough sleeping.
Good understanding of the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017, safeguarding responsibilities and the challenges affecting people sleeping rough.
Experience of lone working, risk assessments and managing complex or sensitive situations.
Strong communication, relationship-building and case-management skills.
Ability to work independently while maintaining effective partnerships with external agencies.
Good IT skills and experience maintaining accurate records.
Full UK driving licence and access to a car for travelling between outreach locations.
Willingness to work flexible hours, including occasional early mornings or other unsocial hours.
Ability to satisfy the required Enhanced DBS check.
Desirable Experience
Previous experience working with individuals affected by mental health difficulties, substance misuse, offending histories or multiple disadvantages would be particularly advantageous.
Candidates from backgrounds including Homelessness Outreach, Rough Sleeping Services, Housing Support, Supported Accommodation and Complex Needs Support are encouraged to apply.
Interested? Get in Touch!
If you have the experience, resilience and commitment to make a meaningful difference to people experiencing homelessness, we'd love to hear from you.
For further information or to apply, please contact:
Elliott – LYNX Employment Services
Telephone: (phone number removed)
Email
