At a Glance
- Tasks: Support rough sleepers by assessing needs and creating tailored support plans.
- Company: Join Thames Reach, a leading outreach team dedicated to helping vulnerable individuals.
- Benefits: Enjoy 29 days holiday, pension contributions, and excellent career development opportunities.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive workplace welcoming applicants from all backgrounds.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while gaining valuable experience.
- Qualifications: Passion for helping others and strong communication skills are essential.
We are looking for a Support Worker to join the Hillingdon SORT Team. The Thames Reach Outreach teams operate across London and help those who are rough sleeping to find routes away from the street. The teams respond rapidly and work flexibly to reach people. Individuals are assessed to identify their support needs and support plans are created, including work to obtain identification, access health services and refer to other specialist agencies, including those offering immigration support.
Responsibilities
- Conduct regular outreach shifts with colleagues and partner agencies.
- Manage a caseload of rough sleepers, identifying the quickest and most appropriate route off the street, and devising a plan to achieve this.
- Support team leads by responding to operational demands as instructed.
- Represent the service to partners and stakeholders.
- Accurately record all work completed within given timeframes.
- Support the team by contributing to data collection, integrity and reporting.
- Represent the team at multi-agency meetings and case conferences, leading on work around tents and encampments with police and community safety colleagues.
Qualifications
- A strong commitment to providing a high standard of service.
- A good understanding of working with rough sleepers or vulnerable adults and supporting them to access services.
- Excellent organisation and time management skills to remain outcome-focused, with the ability to complete tasks promptly and efficiently.
- Good communication skills and confidence in public speaking when representing Thames Reach externally.
- The ability to work well within a team.
- A mature and thoughtful approach to equal opportunities and diversity in service provision.
Benefits
- Generous holiday allowance – 29 days per year plus 8 public holidays (pro rata).
- Pension – we contribute 6.5% to your pension when you contribute 1.5%.
- Excellent development opportunities – career progression, regular supervision and appraisals, and learning programmes to support your career with Thames Reach.
- Wellbeing support – our 24/7 employee assistance programme and opportunities for TOIL.
- Life assurance – four times your annual salary and critical illness cover.
- Other benefits including a blue light discount card, interest-free season ticket and cycle-to-work loans.
Thames Reach is committed to achieving a diverse workforce that reflects the communities we serve. We value, respect, and celebrate diversity. We welcome and encourage applicants from all sections of the community regardless of their history of homelessness, sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, or religious belief. Applicants must be willing to undergo pre-employment screening appropriate to the post, including, but not limited to checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service. Having a criminal record will not exclude you from applying but you will be asked to provide further details as most posts are considered exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.
Support Worker - Hillingdon Street Outreach Rough Sleepers Team employer: Thames Reach Charity
Thames Reach is an exceptional employer, dedicated to making a meaningful impact in the community by supporting rough sleepers in Hillingdon. With a generous holiday allowance, robust pension contributions, and excellent development opportunities, employees are empowered to grow both personally and professionally. The inclusive work culture values diversity and offers comprehensive wellbeing support, making it a rewarding place to work for those passionate about social change.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Support Worker - Hillingdon Street Outreach Rough Sleepers Team
✨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 Thames Reach Charity.
✨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 Thames Reach Charity!
✨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 Thames Reach Charity, 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 Thames Reach Charity 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 Support Worker - Hillingdon Street Outreach Rough Sleepers Team
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 Thames Reach Charity:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Thames Reach Charity! 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 Thames Reach Charity
✨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.
