Assertive Outreach Worker

**Wirral YMCA is seeking to recruit an Outreach Worker to join its new Assertive Outreach Service in providing outreach support for rough sleepers across the borough of Wirral.**

Although there are a range of services in Wirral that aim to support rough sleepers, the number of people sleeping on the streets has still increased each year since 2010. Wirral YMCA has received funding to implement a new and innovative Outreach service to help bring people in from the streets and into sustainable permanent accommodation.

**Hours of work**

In this role you will be responsible for conducting outreach work across Wirral to identify and contact Rough Sleepers to actively encourage them to move into appropriate accommodation.

You will also be responsible for managing and administering ‘Personal Budgets’ on behalf of selected Rough Sleepers which can be used to facilitate access to permanent accommodation, or for other items that help them move towards greater independence.

Flexibility is required as you will be working outreach shifts at unsocial hours in recognition that the needs of many rough sleepers do not necessarily conform to normal business hours.

This role will hold a caseload of long-term/entrenched rough sleepers that will present with complex need clients and will:
Seek out, verify and actively engage with entrenched rough sleepers.

Provide practical advice, support and assistance to rough sleepers to enable them to secure suitable accommodation and meet their immediate needs.

Engage with clients to motivate then to change away from street lifestyle using different motivational techniques, reflective practice and employ an empathetic attitude.

Assist in the building of self-sufficiency and resilience to improve well-being, quality of life and positive relationships.

Deliver a personalised, psychologically informed service that is solution and outcome focused, whilst building and maintaining excellent working relationships with other relevant agencies and individuals who can assist people to move away from the streets, and maintain ongoing support.

Delivering a service that is exceptional in a complex environment and that is creative, professional and holistic and achieves positive outcomes for rough sleepers that may have previously experienced multiple service exclusions.

Educated to Health and Social care or Mental Health qualification, or a significant level of experience in the delivery service working with entrenched street homeless. Valid driving license, minimum 2 years held.

Experience working with people who have complex needs and have a good understanding of the issues that can surround rough sleepers. Experience in carrying out needs and risk assessments.

Experience of multi-agency working.

**Job Types**: Full-time, Permanent

**Salary**: £27,705.00 per year

**Benefits**:

- Childcare
- Company pension
- Cycle to work scheme
- On-site parking
- Private medical insurance

Schedule:

- 8 hour shift

**Education**:

- GCSE or equivalent (preferred)

**Experience**:

- Working with people who have complex needs: 2 years (required)

Licence/Certification:

- uk driving licence (required)

Shift availability:

- Night shift (required)

Work Location: One location

Application deadline: 20/11/2021