At a Glance
- Tasks: Engage with rough sleepers and support them in finding housing and services.
- Company: Thames Reach, a leading charity tackling homelessness in London.
- Benefits: Generous holiday, pension contributions, career development, and wellbeing support.
- Other info: Join a top 100 UK Best Workplace and enjoy excellent career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while building a rewarding career.
- Qualifications: Experience with homelessness and strong communication skills required.
The predicted salary is between 32961 - 32961 £ per year.
Salary: £32,961 per annum
Contract: Fixed term until August 2027
Hours: 37.5 per week
Location: Redhill
Closing date: 15/11/2026
Interview date: Week commencing 23/11/2026
Thames Reach runs projects and services that help to end homelessness in and around London. We work directly with homeless people on the streets and in hostels. We work to prevent vulnerable people from becoming homeless. We help formerly homeless people get their lives back on track. We help people find work and access training and volunteering opportunities.
About this role… We are looking for a Support Worker to join the East Surrey Outreach 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.
You will:
- Conduct assertive outreach and engagement with rough sleepers, sofa surfers, and vulnerable individuals at risk of homelessness across East Surrey.
- Facilitate housing pathways by working closely with local authorities and supporting clients through resettlement and tenancy sustainment.
- Collaborate with multi-agency partners, including housing teams, probation, hospitals, enforcement, and charities, to coordinate support for clients.
- Manage referrals, ensuring all are logged promptly and followed up, and monitor the duty inbox for new or unassigned cases.
- Participate in outreach shifts, including early morning and out-of-hours work, and accurately record activities and outcomes in the INFORM system.
- Travel independently across East Surrey, ideally using a personal vehicle (business mileage claimed), to attend outreach shifts, meetings, and client visits.
You will have:
- Experience working with people experiencing homelessness, rough sleeping, or complex needs, ideally in an outreach or support setting.
- Strong partnership and multi-agency working skills, with the ability to build effective relationships across sectors.
- Excellent organizational skills, including managing caseloads, maintaining accurate records, and following protocols for safeguarding and compliance.
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team, including lone working during outreach shifts.
- Good communication skills, both written and verbal, for engaging clients, reporting, and collaborating with colleagues and partners.
- Full driving licence and access to a personal vehicle for work purposes (mileage claimed).
As part of a commitment to our employees we offer:
- 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.
To apply visit our website and complete our application form. For further information please contact, Daniel Price, Lead Manager at Daniel.Price@thamesreach.org.uk
Thames Reach is committed to safeguarding. 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.
Location: East Surrey - Redhill
Support Worker – East Surrey Outreach Service in Redhill employer: Thames Reach Thames Reach
Thames Reach is an exceptional employer dedicated to ending homelessness in London, offering a supportive and rewarding work environment for Assistant Support Workers. With a generous holiday allowance, excellent development opportunities, and a commitment to employee wellbeing, you will find a fulfilling career path while making a meaningful impact in the community. Join a team that values diversity and celebrates the unique contributions of every individual, ensuring that your skills and compassion are put to the best use in helping those in need.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Support Worker – East Surrey Outreach Service in Redhill
✨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 Thames Reach.
✨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 Thames Reach!
✨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 Thames Reach, 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 Thames Reach 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 – East Surrey Outreach Service in Redhill
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 Thames Reach:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Thames Reach Thames Reach! 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 Thames Reach
✨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.
