Community Outreach Officer - Waltham Forest, London

Job Title: Community Outreach Support Officer
Contract: Full Time/ Permanent
Hours: 38 hours per week
Salary: £29,334 per annum
Location: Waltham Forest, London
For 50 years, Outward has been providing high-quality support and care services to vulnerable people across London, predominantly in North East London. Established by families seeking alternatives to institutional care, we’ve grown into a respected provider of person-centred support for adults with learning disabilities, autism, mental health needs, and complex needs. We support over 1,000 people across nine boroughs, guided by our core values: engage, enable, and empower.
Outward is proud to be an accredited Living Wage Employer. This means we are committed to paying the Real Living Wage – not just the government minimum or national living wage – to our frontline Support Workers and other eligible staff. We recognise the value of the work our teams do, and we are committed to ensuring fair pay that reflects the true cost of living. The Real Living Wage is updated annually by the Living Wage Foundation, and Outward remains committed to aligning our pay accordingly.
About The Role
We are looking for a proactive and passionate Community Outreach Support Worker to join our dedicated team supporting adults with a range of needs, including learning disabilities, autism, mental health challenges, and complex support requirements. As a Community Outreach Support Worker, you will play a key role in empowering the people we support to live independent and fulfilling lives. You’ll provide high-quality care and support, while also managing elements of service delivery such as support planning, key working. You will work closely with the Deputy or Team Manager and play an active role in ensuring our services are person-centred and aligned with Outward’s core values of engage, enable, and empower.
Your Responsibilities
Provide direct, person-centred support and build supportive, trusting relationships with the people we support
Encourage independence in daily living skills (e.g., travel, shopping, personal care)
Use well‑informed approaches such as structure, predictability, and clear communication
Support individuals to access community services, activities, and social groups safely
Encourage people we support to participate in meaningful activities (sports, hobbies, volunteering)
Assist with public transport use, route‑planning, and confidence‑building
Help reduce social isolation by promoting community involvement
Carry out key working responsibilities including developing personalised support plans based on people we support strengths, needs, and goals
Apply positive behaviour support (PBS) strategies to help individuals manage anxiety, sensory challenges, and emotional regulation
Recognise triggers and implement proactive, non‑restrictive interventions and ensure safe environments in the home and community
Follow safeguarding policies to protect vulnerable adults and children
Identify and report safeguarding concerns promptly
Work alongside parents, carers, social workers, therapists, schools, and healthcare providers
Share information appropriately and contribute to multi‑disciplinary reviews
Help families access local resources and support services
Record progress of support, incidents, and outcomes
Work flexibly with the people we support across different boroughs, including evenings and weekends, to support consistent service delivery
Requirements
Strong understanding of autism as a neurodevelopmental difference (communication styles, sensory needs, routines, strengths‑based approaches)
Awareness of the autism spectrum’s diversity – recognising that everyone experiences autism differently
Knowledge of safeguarding procedures and responsibilities
Understanding of person‑centred, trauma‑informed and PBS approaches
Awareness of co‑occurring conditions (e.g., ADHD, learning disabilities, anxiety, sensory processing differences)
Excellent communication skills, including the ability to adapt communication methods
Ability to build trust and rapport with autistic individuals and their families
Strong observation skills to recognise stress, sensory overload, or unmet needs
Problem‑solving and creative thinking, particularly when planning interventions or support strategies
Ability to work independently in community or outreach settings
Good record‑keeping, report writing, and basic IT skills
Right to work in the UK; Outward will not provide visa sponsorship
Staff must have a smartphone capable of receiving SMS messages and installing authentication apps for secure systems access
Essential Criteria
Good understanding of autism as a spectrum condition, recognising that every autistic person is different and experiences autism in their own way
Ability to work in a person‑centred way, respecting individuality, preferences, routines, and choices
Commitment to identifying and supporting strengths, abilities, and interests, not just needs or challenges
Willingness to adapt communication styles and allow additional processing time when needed
Ability to respond with empathy, consistency, de‑escalation strategies, and proactive support
Ability to work effectively as part of a team, following guidance from senior staff and managers
Ability to lone work and use own initiative
Understanding of safeguarding procedures, duty of care, confidentiality, and information sharing
Ability to work collaboratively with families and carers, multidisciplinary professionals, and commissioners, social workers, and health teams
Desirable Criteria (examples)
NVQ Level 2 or 3 in Health and Social Care (or equivalent)
CPI trained (Breakaway techniques)
Benefits
25 days Annual Leave excluding