Outreach Project Worker – Homelessness & Rough Sleeping in Burnley

Location: Burnley & Pendle, Lancashire Salary: £26,611 per annum Job Type: Full-Time, Fixed-Term Contract (until March 2028, with potential extension) Hours: 37.5 hours per week, Monday to Friday About the Role Rotherwood Recruitment is currently recruiting for an experienced and compassionate Outreach Project Worker to join an established homelessness and housing support service based in Burnley, covering the wider Burnley and Pendle areas. This is an exciting opportunity for someone passionate about tackling homelessness, supporting vulnerable individuals and making a meaningful difference within their local community. The successful candidate will work directly with individuals who are rough sleeping, experiencing homelessness or at risk of losing their accommodation. You will provide practical and emotional support, build trusting relationships and help individuals access safe, secure and sustainable housing. This is a frontline, community-based position requiring a proactive, resilient and non-judgemental approach, particularly when engaging with individuals who may be reluctant to access traditional support services. Key Responsibilities * Conducting outreach visits to identify and engage individuals who are rough sleeping or at risk of homelessness. * Building positive, trusting relationships with vulnerable individuals, including those who may be disengaged from support services. * Providing person-centred, trauma-informed support to individuals experiencing homelessness and complex needs. * Supporting individuals with mental health difficulties, substance misuse, social exclusion and other barriers to independent living. * Managing a caseload and developing individual support plans to address housing and wellbeing needs. * Assisting service users to access emergency accommodation, supported housing and longer-term housing solutions. * Supporting individuals with housing applications, benefits, appointments and resettlement activities. * Working collaboratively with local authorities, housing providers, healthcare professionals, probation services and community organisations. * Identifying and responding appropriately to safeguarding concerns and potential risks. * Maintaining accurate case notes, support records, risk assessments and reports. Essential Requirements * Previous experience supporting individuals experiencing homelessness, rough sleeping or social exclusion. * Experience working within homelessness services, supported housing, outreach, community support or a similar environment. * Understanding of the challenges faced by individuals with complex and multiple needs. * Ability to engage and build relationships with individuals who may be resistant to support. * Knowledge of trauma-informed, person-centred and non-judgemental approaches. * Strong communication, advocacy and interpersonal skills. * Good understanding of safeguarding vulnerable adults, confidentiality and professional boundaries. * Confidence managing challenging situations and using appropriate de-escalation techniques. * Strong organisational skills, including caseload management, record-keeping and report writing. * Competent IT skills, including Microsoft Office and digital case management systems. * Ability to work independently in community settings and collaboratively with other professionals. Flexibility to travel throughout the service area and adapt to operational requirements. Desirable Experience * Previous experience working within a dedicated rough sleeping outreach service. * Knowledge of housing legislation, homelessness prevention and welfare benefits. * Experience supporting individuals into accommodation and completing resettlement activities. * Experience working alongside local authorities, mental health services, probation or other external agencies. * Experience working within commissioned or contract-driven support services. * A full UK driving licence and access to transport would be advantageous due to the geographical area covered. Working Hours This is a full-time position working 37.5 hours per week, Monday to Friday. Working hours will vary depending on the needs of the service, with shifts typically falling within the following patterns: 7:00am – 3:00pm 8:00am – 4:00pm 9:00am – 5:00pm There is no fixed shift pattern, and flexibility is required to meet operational demands. The outreach team also conducts a monthly rough sleeper count, which requires an earlier start of approximately 6:00am. What We Offer * Competitive annual salary of £26,611. * Full-time employment with a fixed-term contract until March 2028, with the possibility of extension. * Opportunity to make a meaningful difference to individuals experiencing homelessness. Safeguarding & Compliance The successful candidate will be required to complete appropriate pre-employment checks, including a DBS check, employment references and verification of their right to work in the UK. Applicants must demonstrate a commitment to safeguarding, equality, diversity, inclusion and maintaining professional boundaries when supporting vulnerable individuals