Assertive Outreach Worker - Liaison and Diversion in Guildford

We are looking for a compassionate and motivated Assertive Outreach Worker to join our Liaison and Diversion Service. Working alongside criminal justice, health and community partners, you will support vulnerable people with mental health needs, learning disabilities, substance misuse issues and other complex challenges to access the services they need. Through person-centred outreach and practical support, you will help individuals improve their wellbeing, reduce barriers to engagement and achieve positive outcomes at a crucial point in their lives.

Catalyst Support, in partnership with Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, provides the Liaison and Diversion Service across Surrey. The service aims to identify and support vulnerable people of all ages at the earliest opportunity when they come into contact with the criminal justice system. This includes individuals experiencing mental health difficulties, learning disabilities, substance misuse issues and other vulnerabilities.

As an Assertive Outreach Worker, you will provide person-centred, community-based support to individuals following assessment by the Liaison and Diversion team. You will work closely with health, social care and criminal justice partners to help people access appropriate services, improve their health and wellbeing, and address the challenges that may place them at risk of further involvement in the criminal justice system. The role involves engaging individuals within their local communities, supporting them to achieve their goals, reducing barriers to accessing support, and promoting positive outcomes. Through collaborative working and practical interventions, you will contribute to improved decision-making within criminal justice partnerships while helping vulnerable individuals access the support they need to move forward positively.

Location: Farnham Road Hospital, Guildford

Salary: £29,220

Hours: 35 hours per week

Contract type: Permanent

Key responsibilities:

• To work with Liaison and Diversion colleagues in locality criminal justice settings to engage with individuals following assessment.
• To actively engage with clients in their local community to support the client achieve their goals following assessment.
• To conduct continuous risk assessments and develop and update risk management plans with partners.
• To adhere to all the policies and practices of the Liaison and Diversion service.
• To provide advice, information and appropriate harm reduction advice based on an individual's needs.
• To support the client to engage with key local services to improve their health and wellbeing e.g. primary care, housing, benefits etc.
• To jointly work with the client’s other support workers to ensure client meets any criminal justice requirements.
• To transport clients to appointments as required and support clients at assessments and ongoing appointments, where appropriate and if needed.
• To develop joint working arrangements with key local services, attend joint assessments if required and attend partnerships meetings.
• To support individuals to find employment, undertake training, access support services, and cultivate positive social networks.
• To keep up-to-date records, data and outcomes in line with the service contract.

About Catalyst Support: Through Community, Specialist and Outreach services, we support recovery, mental health, and wellbeing—together, every step of the way.

About you: You have experience supporting adults with complex needs, including mental health, substance misuse, learning disabilities, homelessness or housing challenges. You are passionate about helping vulnerable people achieve positive outcomes and improve their wellbeing. You can build trusting relationships and engage people in their communities using a person-centred approach. You have experience of risk assessment, risk management and safeguarding. You understand harm reduction approaches and can provide practical, tailored support. You work effectively with a range of services and professionals, including health, housing, employment and criminal justice partners. You are confident working independently while also contributing to a multidisciplinary team. You have strong communication skills and can maintain accurate, confidential records. You are organised, resilient and able to manage a varied workload. You are able to work flexibly and travel across Surrey as required. You share our values of kindness, integrity and commitment to supporting wellness. You are committed to ongoing learning and professional development. Ideally, you hold a qualification in counselling, psychology, social work, probation, mental health, learning disabilities, or Health and Social Care.

Benefits:

• 26 days annual leave plus bank holidays (increasing with service).
• Pension scheme and access to Simply Health (including optical, dental, counselling sessions).
• Birthday leave, employee discounts, and flexible working where possible.
• Supportive probation, sick pay after probation, and wellbeing/EAP resources.

Safeguarding & Checks: This role is subject to a basic DBS check. A past history of drug/alcohol issues or criminality will not necessarily exclude you from this role; we encourage applications from people with lived experience where appropriate. All applicants must have a valid right to work in the UK. Catalyst Support is an equal opportunities employer. We celebrate difference and are committed to fairness, accessibility, and inclusion throughout recruitment and employment. We welcome requests for reasonable adjustments at any stage of the process. Please note that we may close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications.