At a Glance
- Tasks: Support vulnerable individuals to secure stable housing and improve their wellbeing.
- Company: Join Croydon Council's compassionate Housing Service team.
- Benefits: Competitive pay, hybrid working, and the chance to make a real difference.
- Other info: Flexible working environment with opportunities for personal growth.
- Why this job: Be a vital part of transforming lives and supporting those in need.
- Qualifications: Experience with vulnerable adults and strong communication skills required.
Adecco are proud to be recruiting on behalf of Croydon Council for a dedicated and compassionate Complex Needs Navigator - Rough Sleepers to join the Housing Service.
Location: Bernard Weatherill House, Croydon
Working Pattern: Hybrid (3 days per week in the office)
Pay Rate: £21.41 per hour PAYE / £28.40 per hour Umbrella
Hours: 36 hours per week
Start Date: ASAP
This is a rewarding opportunity to make a meaningful difference to the lives of some of Croydon's most vulnerable residents, supporting rough sleepers from initial street outreach through to securing and sustaining settled accommodation. The successful candidate will manage a caseload of individuals with complex needs, providing intensive, person-centred support and coordinating interventions with a wide range of agencies and services.
About the Role
As a Complex Needs Navigator, you will work within Croydon Council's Rough Sleeping Commissioning Team, supporting individuals facing multiple disadvantages such as homelessness, substance misuse, mental health challenges, social isolation, and safeguarding concerns. You will play a key role in helping service users achieve long-term housing stability, independence, and improved wellbeing.
The role is hybrid, with a requirement to attend Bernard Weatherill House three days per week. Due to the complex nature of the client group, flexibility will be required, including occasional face-to-face engagement outside standard office hours where necessary.
Key Responsibilities
- Manage a caseload of rough sleepers and individuals with complex needs.
- Conduct comprehensive assessments to identify support requirements and barriers to independent living.
- Build trusted relationships with service users and maintain engagement through personalised support plans.
- Support clients from street outreach through to accommodation placement and ongoing tenancy sustainment.
- Work collaboratively with housing services, adult social care, healthcare professionals, substance misuse services, DWP, voluntary organisations, and other key partners.
- Identify and respond appropriately to safeguarding concerns.
- Facilitate access to accommodation, employment opportunities, training, healthcare, and support services.
- Maintain accurate case records and contribute to multi-agency case reviews.
- Promote positive outcomes that reduce the risk of a return to rough sleeping.
Key Skills Required
We are particularly keen to hear from candidates with experience in:
- Building trusting relationships with vulnerable adults
- Multi-agency partnership working
- Complex case management and problem solving
- Trauma-informed approaches
- Safeguarding practice
- Motivational interviewing and behavioural change techniques
- Supporting individuals with multiple and complex needs
- Working effectively under pressure and managing competing priorities
Essential Experience
- Experience working directly with vulnerable adults in a frontline support, housing, homelessness, social care, outreach, or related environment.
- Experience supporting individuals experiencing homelessness, rough sleeping, mental health challenges, substance misuse, or other complex needs.
- Strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills.
- Ability to work independently whilst managing a varied caseload.
Interested? Apply today to be considered for this rewarding opportunity with Croydon Council.
Homelessness & Complex Needs Navigator in Croydon employer: Adecco
Adecco is an excellent employer, offering a supportive work culture that values flexibility and work-life balance, particularly for the Seasonal DBS Cleaner role in Chelmsford. Employees benefit from a competitive pension scheme and various incentives, alongside opportunities for personal growth and development within a dynamic team environment, making it a rewarding place to contribute to the cleanliness of educational settings.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Homelessness & Complex Needs Navigator in Croydon
✨Dive into Local Community Groups
Social work thrives on community connections, so get involved in local groups or forums specific to your interests. Whether it’s volunteering at local shelters or joining community action boards, these are great ways to boost your visibility and make direct contacts that could lead to opportunities like the one at Adecco.
✨Attend Social Work Events and Workshops
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences in social work. These events are fantastic for meeting professionals in the field, learning about emerging trends, and spotting job openings. Plus, you might just bump into someone from Adecco!
✨Showcase Your Passion and Expertise
Use platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn to share your journey and insights into the social work sector. Whether it’s writing about your experiences or sharing relevant articles, this helps to establish you as an engaged professional. Potential employers, like Adecco, will notice your enthusiasm!
✨Leverage Your Network
Don’t hesitate to reach out to professors, mentors, or even past colleagues who are in social work. They might have inside knowledge about openings at Adecco or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.
We think you need these skills to ace Homelessness & Complex Needs Navigator in Croydon
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let us see your passion for social work shine through! Talk about the experiences that made you want to pursue this career—whether it’s volunteering, personal experiences, or academic projects. We want to know why this field matters to you.
Emphasise Relevant Qualifications:Make sure your CV highlights any relevant qualifications, like degrees in social work or certifications like a DBS check. If you've done any workshops or training, don’t forget to include those as well. We're keen to see your commitment to your professional development!
Detail Your Experience with Clients:Since this is a hands-on field, detailing any direct experience you have with clients is crucial. Whether it's internships, volunteer roles, or previous jobs, highlight those experiences in your CV to show us you've got the practical skills necessary for the job!
Tailor Your Application to Adecco:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Adecco! Research our mission and values, and refer to them in your cover letter. This shows us that you understand our work and are genuinely interested in being a part of our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Adecco
✨Understanding the Role of Empathy
In social work, understanding and demonstrating empathy is key. Be prepared to share personal experiences or scenarios where you effectively showed compassion and support. This helps show that you genuinely care about the well-being of others, which is crucial in social work.
✨Demonstrating Knowledge of Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with the frameworks and models used in social work, such as the Strengths-Based Approach or the Ecological Perspective. Be ready to discuss how these frameworks apply to your work, especially if you can tie them into real-world examples or case studies you've encountered.
✨Showcasing Your Multi-Disciplinary Skills
In a full-time social work role, you'll often collaborate with healthcare professionals, educators, and law enforcement. Be prepared to describe your teamwork experiences and how you've effectively communicated with other disciplines to achieve the best outcomes for clients.
✨Preparing for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical social work situations, such as dealing with a crisis or managing a complex case. Think through your thought process for these scenarios beforehand, considering how you'd assess the situation and what steps you'd take, as this demonstrates your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
