At a Glance
- Tasks: Connect rough sleepers to essential health and support services, building trust and relationships.
- Company: Join SPEAR, a charity dedicated to ending homelessness in South West London.
- Benefits: Enjoy generous holiday, wellbeing support, career development, and family-friendly policies.
- Other info: Be part of a skilled team committed to creating lasting change.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in your community while growing your career in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Strong communication skills and a passion for helping vulnerable individuals.
The predicted salary is between 28000 - 35000 £ per year.
We are SPEAR, a charity working tirelessly to end homelessness across South West London and beyond. We believe homelessness should be rare, brief, and non-recurring, and we work every day to make that a reality. Our services include street outreach, assessment hubs, supported accommodation, and tenancy support, helping people move off the streets and into safe, secure housing. We take a person‑centred, trauma‑informed approach, building trust and supporting people to achieve long‑term stability and independence. You will be part of a passionate, skilled team dedicated to ending homelessness. We offer a supportive environment where you can grow your career while making a meaningful impact.
As a Peer Advocate Worker, you'll be the driving force connecting rough sleepers and homeless clients across the boroughs to vital primary care, mental health, and substance misuse services — often for the first time. You'll build strong relationships with supported housing and homelessness providers, generate referrals, and act as the go-to point of contact for case management across the service. You'll carry out sensitive, high‑quality casework and assessments for clients with complex needs, and work hand‑in‑hand with local authorities and health and housing services to break down the barriers that keep people from getting care. This role is about more than referrals — it's about persistence, trust‑building, and making sure no one falls through the gaps. You'll need excellent communication and organisational skills, a knack for building relationships with clients and stakeholders alike, and a genuine drive to improve outcomes for some of the most vulnerable people in our community.
This role promotes the Homeless Health Link Programme across the boroughs, building relationships with supported housing and homelessness service providers to generate referrals, and managing case communication and liaison with all engaged providers. You'll deliver high‑quality engagement with homeless clients, including rough sleepers, connecting them into primary care, mental health, and substance misuse services. The role involves carrying out thorough casework and assessments for individuals with complex needs, including challenging mental and physical health conditions. Our health link service supports rough sleepers to access the health and social care services they often struggle to reach, addressing both their mental and physical health needs.
Your Benefits:
- Generous holiday – 26 days plus public holidays, rising to 31 days with length of service
- Wellbeing & EAP – 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme with free counselling, money and legal advice
- Health support – Occupational health service and free annual eye test (with contribution towards glasses if required)
- Cycle to Work – Save on a new bike and accessories through salary sacrifice
- Season ticket loan – Interest‑free loan for annual travel passes
- Moving house day – Extra day’s leave when you move home
- Financial security – Life assurance (4x salary) and interest‑free emergency staff loan
- Family‑friendly policies – Enhanced maternity and adoption pay, plus flexible working options
- Career development – Ongoing training, learning and progression opportunities
- Blue Light Card – Discounts across a wide range of shops, restaurants and services
Peer Advocate Worker employer: SPEAR
Spear is an exceptional employer that fosters a supportive and compassionate work culture, dedicated to making a real difference in the lives of those experiencing homelessness and mental health challenges. Located in Twickenham, employees benefit from a collaborative environment that encourages personal and professional growth, alongside opportunities to engage in meaningful work that directly impacts the community. With a strong commitment to employee wellbeing and development, Spear offers a unique chance to be part of a mission-driven team focused on creating lasting change.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Peer Advocate Worker
✨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 SPEAR.
✨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 SPEAR!
✨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 SPEAR, 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 SPEAR 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 Peer Advocate Worker
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 SPEAR:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to SPEAR! 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 SPEAR
✨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.
