Mental Health and Homelessness Outreach Worker

Do you want to support people with mental health issues in a moment of crisis?

Are you calm, non-judgemental and able to work effectively with people experiencing distress?

If you can embody our values of Hope, Courage, Togetherness, and Responsiveness, and want to help others build resilience and manage their wellbeing, we’d love to hear from you.

Mental Health and Homelessness Outreach Worker (Single Homeless Support Pathway) x2 Reference: 368 Salary: £26,000 – £27,000 per annum, depending on skills and experience inclusive of Outer London Weighting (OLW) Hours: 37.5 hours per week (Monday – Friday, 9am – 5pm) Contract: Fixed term 1 Year Working base(s): 1 person to be based in St Albans Wellbeing Centre 1 person to be based in Watford Wellbeing Centre

About the Service

The Complex Needs Housing Service works as a multi-disciplinary team with housing teams and Drug and Alcohol Services across District and Borough councils. These teams will be working with individuals who are presenting as homeless and have a number of Complex Needs. The service has been running since 2022 with a dual-district model, however, is now expanding to offer a single district outreach service.

We have roles available in the service in the following areas:

• St. Albans – supporting individuals who are homeless, in temporary accommodation or hostels in the district with their mental health

• South & West Hertfordshire – supporting women who have fled domestic abuse and currently residing in refuge/safe accommodation in the area with their mental health N.B. Only female applicants will be considered for this role.

The objectives of the Single Homeless Support Pathway are:

• To improve the mental wellbeing of people experiencing mental ill health.

• To increase early access to help for people experiencing mental ill health in, by providing a clear and effective pathway to services provided by Herts Mind Network and other third sector and statutory providers.

• To contribute to an improvement in individual mental wellbeing.

• To remain a source of independent support for all clients.

• To reduce the use of police, ASB, tenancy enforcement, housing needs and environmental health services by clients whose primary need is related to mental ill health.

• To reduce the use of crisis services by people experiencing mental ill health without positive outcomes for the individual.

• To provide an assertive outreach approach for clients who are in crisis and/ or those that may have complex or multiple needs.

• To work collaboratively within a multi-disciplinary team consisting of District and Borough council’s housing teams, drug and alcohol services and other professionals.

About the Role

The purpose of the Hertfordshire Mind Network Community Outreach Worker role is to:

• To provide advice, information, onward referral and holistic support to clients who are experiencing mental ill health or need support with their mental wellbeing. These will be clients who are presenting to District and Borough councils as homeless and need intervention and support with their mental health and housing.

• To ensure that the safety and wellbeing of the client is monitored and reviewed regularly.

• To remain a source of independent support for all clients.

• Embed a person-centred recovery orientated and trauma informed approach in all aspects of the roles.

We offer:

• Annual leave entitlement of 25 days per year pro rata, rising in increments to a max. of 29 days after 5 years employment (plus 8 days Bank Holidays)

• An additional day of leave each year for your birthday following completion of probation period.

• Ongoing training relevant to your role.

• An Employee Assistance Programme.

• Eligibility for blue light card.

• Health cover (after 6 months employment) – compensation payment for Optical, Dental, Chiropody and Therapy Treatments.

Being able to drive and having access to your own vehicle (or equivalent) is essential for this role.

Closing date for receipt of applications is Monday 28th September at 5pm. Interviews will be held on a rolling basis. Please note we may close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications. We encourage interested candidates to apply as soon as possible. N.B. Please quote reference number 368 when completing your application for this role.

Interested?

If you would like to find out more, please click the apply button. You will be directed to our website to complete your application for this position.

We welcome applications from all suitably-qualified candidates, irrespective of gender, disability, marital or parental status, racial, ethnic or social origin, colour, religion, belief, or sexual orientation.

In addition, during the various stages of recruitment, specific measures can be taken to ensure equal opportunities for candidates with disabilities or special needs.

Hertfordshire Mind Network is committed to the Disability Confident and Mindful Employer charters. We actively recruit staff who have a lived experience of mental ill health. Our inclusive approach recognises the unique skills, knowledge, and perspectives that lived experience brings to our team.

No agencies please