At a Glance
- Tasks: Engage with adults facing complex disadvantages and provide proactive support in the community.
- Company: Join a forward-thinking team dedicated to tackling rough sleeping and promoting inclusion health.
- Benefits: Manageable caseloads, professional development, and the chance to make a real difference.
- Other info: Work in a supportive environment focused on resilience and reflective practice.
- Why this job: Be part of an innovative approach that directly impacts lives and reduces harm.
- Qualifications: Qualified social worker with experience in mental health, homelessness, or safeguarding.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
We are recruiting an experienced and values-driven Social Worker to join our MHLDA Adult Social Care team, working with adults who are rough sleeping or at imminent risk of rough sleeping and who have Care Act-eligible needs. This role sits within the MHLDA Front Door and focuses on proactive, relationship-based engagement with adults experiencing multiple and compounding disadvantage, including mental ill-health, substance misuse, trauma, cognitive impairment, executive dysfunction, and insecure immigration status (including NRPF). You will work with a reduced caseload, reflecting the intensity and complexity of the work, and will undertake assertive outreach alongside statutory assessment, safeguarding, and system leadership. This post is ideal for a social worker who is confident working outside traditional office-based models and motivated to reduce harm, exclusion and avoidable crisis.
Key Responsibilities
- Proactively engage adults who are rough sleeping or at risk of rough sleeping in community and voluntary sector settings (e.g. homelessness hubs, drop‑ins, outreach venues).
- Undertake Care Act 2014 assessments, including complex eligibility decision-making.
- Complete Mental Capacity Act (MCA) assessments, including where capacity is fluctuating or impaired by mental ill-health, substance use or executive dysfunction.
- Initiate and lead Section 42 safeguarding enquiries where statutory thresholds are met.
- Apply Human Rights Assessments (HRAs), particularly in NRPF and complex immigration cases.
- Work closely with Housing, Public Health, CNWL, NWL, and voluntary sector partners to coordinate responses and prevent entrenchment in rough sleeping.
- Provide professional advice and consultation to voluntary sector colleagues, supporting earlier identification of Care Act needs.
- Contribute to learning from Safeguarding Adult Reviews (SARs) and mortality reviews.
- Maintain clear, defensible recording and analysis, aligned with Making Safeguarding Personal (MSP).
About You
- Be a qualified social worker (Social Work England registered).
- Have significant post-qualifying experience in mental health, learning disability, homelessness, or safeguarding.
- Be confident applying the Care Act, MCA, safeguarding duties, and human rights frameworks in complex situations.
- Have experience of working with people who struggle to engage with traditional services.
- Be comfortable working outside office environments and adapting your approach to build trust over time.
- Bring a trauma-informed, strengths-based and anti-discriminatory practice approach.
- Be resilient, reflective, and able to work effectively within a small specialist team.
Why Join Us
- Be part of an innovative, prevention-focused response to rough sleeping and inclusion health.
- Work with manageable caseloads that allow for meaningful social work.
- Shape practice at the interface of safeguarding, homelessness, health and human rights.
- Make a tangible impact in reducing harm, crisis and premature mortality.
For more information, please refer to the Role Profile/Selection Criteria.
Assertive Outreach Social Worker for Complex Disadvantage employer: Harrow Council
Join our MHLDA Adult Social Care team as an Assertive Outreach Social Worker, where you'll be part of a forward-thinking organisation dedicated to tackling complex disadvantage and rough sleeping. We offer a supportive work culture that prioritises manageable caseloads, allowing you to make a real difference in the lives of vulnerable adults while benefiting from professional development opportunities and collaboration with various partners. Our commitment to innovative, relationship-based engagement ensures that you will thrive in a role that is both meaningful and rewarding.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Assertive Outreach Social Worker for Complex Disadvantage
✨Tip Number 1
Get out there and network! Attend local events, workshops, or meet-ups related to social work. It's a great way to meet people in the field and learn about job openings that might not be advertised online.
✨Tip Number 2
Don’t underestimate the power of social media. Follow organisations and professionals in the social work sector on platforms like LinkedIn. Engage with their content and share your insights to get noticed!
✨Tip Number 3
Consider reaching out directly to organisations you admire. A quick email expressing your interest in potential opportunities can go a long way. We love proactive candidates who take the initiative!
✨Tip Number 4
Finally, apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we’re always looking for passionate individuals ready to make a difference in the community.
We think you need these skills to ace Assertive Outreach Social Worker for Complex Disadvantage
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion:When writing your application, let your passion for social work shine through! We want to see how motivated you are to make a difference in the lives of those facing complex disadvantages. Share personal experiences or insights that fuel your commitment to this field.
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to tailor your application specifically to the role of Assertive Outreach Social Worker. Highlight your relevant experience with mental health, homelessness, and safeguarding. We love it when candidates connect their skills directly to the job description!
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application clear and to the point. Use straightforward language and avoid jargon where possible. We appreciate well-structured applications that make it easy for us to see your qualifications and fit for the role.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it gives you a chance to explore more about our values and what we stand for at StudySmarter.
How to prepare for a job interview at Harrow Council
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you’re well-versed in the Care Act, Mental Capacity Act, and safeguarding duties. Brush up on your knowledge of complex cases involving mental health and homelessness, as these will likely come up during the interview.
✨Show Your Empathy
This role is all about building relationships with vulnerable adults. Be prepared to share examples of how you've successfully engaged with people who struggle to access traditional services. Highlight your trauma-informed approach and how it has made a difference.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect to face scenario-based questions that test your decision-making skills in complex situations. Think through potential challenges you might encounter in the role and how you would handle them, especially regarding safeguarding and human rights.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions about the team dynamics, the support available for staff, and how success is measured in this role. This shows your genuine interest in the position and helps you gauge if it’s the right fit for you.
