At a Glance
- Tasks: Engage with adults facing severe disadvantages and provide proactive support in community settings.
- Company: Join a forward-thinking social care team dedicated to making a difference.
- Benefits: Manageable caseloads, professional development, and the chance to create real change.
- Other info: Work in a dynamic environment focused on prevention and innovative solutions.
- Why this job: Make a tangible impact on vulnerable lives and shape inclusive practices.
- Qualifications: Qualified social worker with experience in mental health, homelessness, or safeguarding.
The predicted salary is between 36827 - 45011 £ per year.
Overview
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.
Overview
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
You will
- 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.
- Related Documents
- For more information, please refer to the Role Profile/Selection Criteria
Social Worker – Assertive Outreach (Severe & Multiple Disadvantage) in London employer: Harrow Council
Harrow Council is an exceptional employer, dedicated to fostering an inclusive work culture that prioritises the growth and development of its employees. As a Deafblind & Multi-Sensory Inclusion Advisor, you will have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the lives of children and young people while benefiting from comprehensive training and support in a collaborative environment. Located in London, the council offers unique advantages such as access to diverse resources and a commitment to community engagement, making it a rewarding place to work.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Social Worker – Assertive Outreach (Severe & Multiple Disadvantage) in London
✨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 Harrow Council.
✨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 Harrow Council!
✨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 Harrow Council, 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 Harrow Council 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 Social Worker – Assertive Outreach (Severe & Multiple Disadvantage) in London
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 Harrow Council:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Harrow Council! 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 Harrow Council
✨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.
