Lead Worker - Thames Reach Greenwich

Salary: £37,750 per annum

Contract: Fixed term until 30/09/2026

Hours: 37.5 per week

Location: Greenwich – London

Closing date: 08/03/2026

Interview date: 17/03/2026

Whatever your experience of street homelessness and its impact on people’s lives – personal or professional – when you join the Thames Reach team as a Lead Worker we will make the best use of all your understanding, compassion and commitment.

About us

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. Is our mission easy? No, but we never give up on people. Last year we helped more than 15,000 people. Is our work rewarding? Yes, in every sense. We’re listed as one of the top 100 Best Workplaces in the UK. There’s no better place to develop or transfer your skills and build a fulfilling career.

About this role

We are looking for a Lead Worker to join the Thames Reach Greenwich Team. Thames Reach’s Supported Housing is comprised of Accommodation, Housing First, Navigator and Move on services supporting people to make real and lasting change in their lives. People may present with complex mental health, offending histories, drug and alcohol needs.

• Accommodation-based services: Using a strength-based casework approach to support people to make plans to gain the emotional and practical skills and increased independence to enable successful move on.
• Housing First services: Using the established principles of Housing First we work with people to access accommodation first, explore their aspirations, building opportunities for them to spend their time meaningfully and overcome barriers around unmet mental or physical health needs.

We will not accept applications where Artificial Intelligence (AI) has been used to assist with completing the competency questions.

Responsibilities

• Assess suitability of individuals referred into the service and support management team with oversight of referrals.
• Provide practical support for individuals who may have never held a tenancy before and provide information and advice around; benefits, maximising income, addressing physical & mental health, drug & alcohol, offending history and engaging them in education, training and employment opportunities.
• Work with both referral and external agencies to ensure individuals can sustain their licence and move towards independence for step down accommodation or move on to private renting sector (PRS).
• Liaise with, signpost, and support client engagement with specialist agencies as appropriate e.g. drug treatment services, Community Mental Health Teams.
• Provide person-centred support to individuals and co-produce all plans to assist them to achieve their aims and ambitions.
• Take a lead role within the team, working closely with support workers, volunteers and student placements around casework and resource provision for individuals accessing the service.

Qualifications

• An understanding of the complex issues contributing to homelessness and the impact on the lives of individuals.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to form and maintain effective working relationships with individuals accessing the service, colleagues, and partner agencies.
• Knowledge and understanding of the needs and aspirations of individuals with experience of homelessness and a commitment to supporting people to achieve the best outcomes as they work towards independence.
• Experience working within a flexible and responsive service with people presenting with complex needs and facing multiple disadvantage.
• Strong organisational skills, with the ability to manage conflicting priorities and deadlines, to carry out administrative tasks alongside practical support work, and manage and mitigate risk.
• Experience in organising the operations of a complex, integrated and busy service.
• Experience of supporting and supervising casework practice of support workers, trainees, students, or volunteers.

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.

Diversity

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.

Contact

To apply visit our website and complete our application form.

Further information

For further information please contact, Ola Fabowale, Lead Manager at Ola.Fabowale@thamesreach.org.uk

Safeguarding

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.