This is an exciting time to join us at Maidstone Borough Council as we have been awarded funding from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government as part of the Governments Rough Sleeping Initiative directly aimed to reduce those living on the streets and sustain people within their own accommodation.

We are looking for three Homelessness Outreach Officers to work assertively across the district providing support to those who have a history of rough sleeping or are at risk of returning to the streets. You will be undertaken in-reach within hostel settings, plus providing tenancy sustainment to former rough sleepers in their own homes.

You must be passionate about supporting vulnerable people, who have complex needs, to make positive change in their lifestyles.

We are looking for people who have experience of working with vulnerable people providing outreach support, in the field of homelessness and housing advice, or a housing related field.

Your main duties will be to:
• To provide an outreach and in-reach support to customers who have lived experience of homelessness and rough sleeping.
• To support former rough sleepers in their own homes and hostel accommodation, to maintain their tenancies and manage the requirements of independent living.
• Provide opportunities so that individuals can become community assets through employment, training or education.
• Be able to work with individuals who display complex needs, which will include, substance misuse, alcohol dependency, mental health issues, offending and violent behaviour, anti-social behaviour and individuals involved in the sex work, and making referrals to appropriate services.
• To provide a multi-agency response and communicate information between all agencies in order to reduce street homelessness and increase access to support services.

The Council considers this to be a customer focused role and the ability to converse at ease with customers adapting communication style to suit differing audiences and provide advice in accurate spoken English is fundamental to the role.

The successful candidates will be expected to have a full clean UK driving licence in order to carry out the outreach support and visit locations of rough sleeping. The role is also involving the undertaking of work out of hours including bank holidays and weekends using your own transport and ensuring your own personal safety at all times.

Maidstone Borough Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expects all employee and volunteers to share this commitment.

The Council considers that the successful applicant will have access to young people and/or vulnerable adults and it is a requirement under

The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 that you hold an enhanced disclosure and barring scheme check. Upon successful appointment, you will be required to provide evidence of an enhanced DBS check if you subscribe to the DBS Update Service or complete the process to obtain a DBS check.

Working in Maidstone you’ll also be less than an hour from London by train and have all that Kent can offer at your fingertips. You’ll also have the opportunity to develop your skills and experience within an organisation that prides itself on supporting its staff.

These are a full time positions on a fixed term contract for 12 months.

For further information or to discuss this opportunity in more detail, please contact Hannah Gaston, Housing and Inclusion Manager on 01622 602262

Closing Date: Tuesday 2 July 2019
Interview Date: Thursday 11 July 2019

To apply for the position please visit www.maidstone.gov.uk/jobs and complete the online application form or by phone on 01622 602555

Council Benefits: career average pension scheme, professional fee payment, flexible working (including opportunities for home working and job share), employee benefits package and generous leave entitlement.