Outreach Worker - Reading
| Posting date: | 09 February 2026 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £15.23 per hour |
| Additional salary information: | £15.23 per hour. |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 02 March 2026 |
| Location: | Reading, Berkshire, RG1 1QH |
| Company: | Hays Specialist Recruitment |
| Job type: | Temporary |
| Job reference: | 4769194_1770639542 |
Summary
Your new company
You'll be joining a respected, community‑focused organisation known for delivering effective, compassionate support to people experiencing homelessness, rough sleeping, and complex needs. The organisation promotes a values‑driven, trauma‑informed approach and works collaboratively with local authorities, health providers, housing teams and voluntary sector partners to create meaningful, lasting change.
Staff are supported to grow professionally through supervision, reflective practice and training, making this an environment where you can make a genuine difference every day.
Your new role
This is a varied, impactful role for a dedicated Outreach Worker / Homeless Recovery Coordinator who is passionate about working with individuals experiencing street homelessness. You will identify, engage and support people living on the streets, sleeping rough or sofa surfing, helping them access appropriate accommodation, health services and substance misuse support.
The role combines assertive outreach, advocacy, multi‑agency working and short‑term case coordination to ensure individuals receive consistent, effective help as they transition into safer and more stable environments.
Key ResponsibilitiesOutreach & Engagement
- Identify and engage with rough sleepers, beggars and individuals living a street‑based lifestyle across various locations and times.
- Provide assertive outreach to individuals who are entrenched or disengaged from services.
- Support hospital discharge planning for homeless individuals, helping them move into suitable accommodation.
Assessment, Planning & Case Coordination
- Establish effective communication and referral pathways between rough sleepers, hostels, healthcare providers and wider support services.
- Carry out strengths‑based assessments, develop short‑term recovery plans and hold cases for 4-6 weeks during key transition periods.
- Coordinate care with councils, hostels, voluntary agencies and local service providers.
- Ensure continuity of care for individuals moving between areas, including liaison with new services and arranging appropriate handover.
Harm Reduction & Health Support
- Provide advice around substance misuse using recognised approaches such as Motivational Interviewing.
- Support individuals to access drug, alcohol and mental health services.
- Offer culturally appropriate engagement and interventions for hard‑to‑reach communities.
Partnership Working & Advocacy
- Build effective relationships with mental health teams, housing providers, community organisations and health services.
- Attend multi‑disciplinary meetings and contribute to joint case planning.
- Assist with local monitoring activity such as rough sleeper counts and data collection.
Record Keeping & Professional Standards
- Maintain accurate records in accordance with organisational policies.
- Work flexibly, including early mornings, evenings and adverse‑weather outreach when required.
What you'll need to succeed
- Experience working with people who are homeless, rough sleeping or sofa surfing.
- Ability to communicate effectively with service users, hostel teams, health and social care professionals.
- Able to work confidently both autonomously and as part of a team.
- Skilled in supporting individuals with complex needs and challenging behaviour.
- Strong understanding of substance misuse, mental health or multiple disadvantage.
- Confident with IT systems, recording and reporting.
- Experience working collaboratively across multiple agencies.
Desirable
- Knowledge of local services, housing options and mutual aid networks.
- Previous outreach experience within homelessness or substance misuse sectors.
What you'll get in return
- A supportive, collaborative and values led workplace.
- Access to ongoing training and professional development.
- Regular supervision and wellbeing support.
- Opportunities to influence service development and partnership work.
What you need to do now
If you're interested in this role, click 'apply now' to forward an up-to-date copy of your CV, or call us now.
If this job isn't quite right for you, but you are looking for a new position, please contact us for a confidential discussion about your career.
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