Location: Lewisham (London)

Hours: 37.5 hours per week – Permanent

Salary: £25,000 per annum

Closing Date: 16th August 2025

Work Location: In person

Lewisham Council is seeking a compassionate and proactive Outreach Worker to join our dedicated team supporting rough sleepers across Essex. This role focuses on engaging individuals experiencing homelessness, assessing their needs, and signposting them to appropriate treatment and support services. You will work as part of a multi-disciplinary team to reduce rough sleeping, promote recovery from substance misuse, and help individuals build sustainable lives off the streets.

·        Engage with rough sleepers across Essex through outreach visits and build trusting relationships.

·        Conduct assessments and develop tailored support plans focused on drug and alcohol treatment, housing, and wellbeing.

·        Collaborate with Phoenix Futures and other partner agencies including housing support, health services, and mental health professionals.

·        Provide time-limited, focused interventions to improve clients’ readiness for treatment and long-term recovery.

·        Support clients with practical tasks such as attending appointments, completing benefit applications, and accessing housing or rehab services.

·        Maintain accurate records, complete risk assessments, and ensure compliance with safeguarding and GDPR policies.

·        Advocate for clients and liaise with professionals to ensure coordinated care and progress.

·        Promote awareness of homelessness and substance misuse issues within the community.

As a Drug & Alcohol Street Support (DASS) worker, your day will be varied and impactful. You might:

·        Attend GP or housing appointments with clients.

·        Help someone apply for benefits or rehab.

·        Make outreach visits to known rough sleeping locations.

·        Liaise with professionals to coordinate care.

·        Complete paperwork and risk assessments.

·        Refer clients to specialist services.

Above all, your role is about building trust, showing patience, and supporting high-risk individuals who often fall through the cracks.

·        Royal London Pension Scheme

·        Death in Service benefit

·        Access to tailored training and development plans

·        Legal training including Health & Safety, Safeguarding, and GDPR

·        25 days annual leave + bank holidays

·        Additional day off for your birthday

·        Experience working with individuals affected by drug use, homelessness, or social disadvantage.

·        Ability to work under pressure and manage time effectively.

·        Empathetic and non-judgemental approach to client support.

·        Knowledge of risk management and ability to complete risk assessments.

·        Strong interpersonal and communication skills.

·        Access to a car and ability to drive (due to outreach nature of the role).

Full-time
Temporary