Homeless Hospital Discharge Link Worker

Pay: £13.82 per hour

Hours: 15 hours over 2 days a week (likely Tuesday and Thursday) 08.00 - 16.00 with a 30-minute unpaid lunch break

Accountable to: Head of Inclusion Health

Base: Blackpool Victoria Hospital main base

There will be some co-location work to support this role linking with housing teams across Blackpool, Fylde & Wyre.

We offer NHS Pension, Cycle to Work Scheme, Attendance Bonus, Free Tea & Coffee, Eye Care Contributions.

Overview of Role

This role will enhance and support the hospital discharge process for people who are homeless and are admitted to Blackpool Victoria Hospital. The successful post holder will also support patients who attend the Emergency Department and the co-located Urgent Treatment Centre. This is an integrated care role, working across local health and housing teams and the wider multiple disadvantage partnership.

Main duties of the job

• Identification of inpatients who are homeless, including people with no fixed abode, at risk of homelessness, and/or those who cannot safely return home.
• Supporting people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness to have a safe, planned discharge from hospital following an inpatient admission.
• Liaison between Fylde Coast Housing Teams and the Blackpool Teaching Hospitals Bed Flow Team and Emergency Department.
• Reducing inappropriate and preventable A&E attendances at Blackpool Victoria Hospital and supporting the patient to access the services they need.
• Taking referrals from Northwest Ambulance Service for individuals identified with housing as a contributory factor to their health and social care needs.
• Ensuring the delivery and raising awareness of the discharge pathway for people who are homeless.
• Supporting onward referrals and follow-up care including Transfer of Care and raising any safeguarding concerns.
• Working across the Blackpool Multiple Disadvantage partnership to enable people to achieve a safe discharge from hospital.
• Attending the weekly Multiple Disadvantage Partnership meeting and contributing from a homeless link worker position.
• Working closely with the Care Navigators based in the homeless nursing team.
• Ensure compliance with internal, local and national safeguarding procedures.

Patient Identification

• Use hospital systems and liaise with ward staff, discharge teams, and FCMS manager to identify homeless patients.
• Attend wards and multidisciplinary team meetings to identify patients.
• Help prevent unsafe or early discharges by coordinating with hospital and community teams.
• Complete initial needs assessments and share with local housing teams.
• Notify housing teams and out-of-hours services of potential discharges.
• Maintain discharge protocols and follow up post-discharge to confirm support is in place.
• Provide patients with alternative healthcare options and refer frequent callers to appropriate services.
• Maintain a Housing Options resource pack for staff and deliver training as needed.
• Build strong links with inpatients, ward staff, housing teams, GP practices, and partners supporting people experiencing multiple disadvantage.

Service Development

• Contribute to service improvement and protocol development.
• Work within organisational policies and seek advice when needed.
• Undertake training and awareness sessions to support role delivery.

Activity Monitoring and Reporting

• Complete patient contact notes in the relevant hospital system.
• Complete KPI data including number of people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness and have received support.
• Accurately record advice and outcomes of assessment, care planning, and interventions.
• Provide an update report highlighting successes and challenges.

Working Relationships

The main people that the post holder will be expected to communicate with include:

• Patients, their carers and relatives
• BTHFT Safeguarding Adults team
• Hospital bed flow and discharge team
• Local authority housing teams in Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre Councils
• Ward-based teams
• Health and Social Care services

Person Specification

Experience

• Proven experience working with vulnerable groups, including homeless individuals.
• Excellent communication and partnership-building skills.
• Ability to manage complex cases and coordinate across multiple agencies.
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills.
• Proficient in IT systems and comfortable using multiple platforms.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively within multi-agency teams.

Qualifications

• A good standard of education GCSE English / Maths or equivalent.
• Health & Social Care NVQ 3 or equivalent.
• CIH Level 3 Certificate in Providing Homeless Services or equivalent.

Personal Qualities

• High level of IT ability.
• Excellent record-keeping and attention to detail.
• Strong organisational and time management skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and will require a submission for Disclosure to the Disclosure and Barring Service.