Hostel In Reach Support Worker

Location: Thanet

Salary: £24,000 per annum plus benefits

Vacancy Type: Permanent, Full Time

We are currently recruiting for a Hostel In-Reach / Floating Support Worker

Role / Team overview

Working within an integrated healthcare framework, you will support adults (18+) with drug and alcohol issues across East Kent, primarily in supported accommodation, B&Bs, hostels and rough sleepers. You’ll hold a smaller caseload to provide flexible, enhanced support to individuals with high complexity and barriers to engagement, using a trauma-informed approach.

You’ll coordinate care for those at risk of rough sleeping—liaising with housing workers, health services, and other partners. This is a time-limited transitional role, supporting clients until they are settled in permanent accommodation.

You will contribute to performance targets set by The Forward Trust and local commissioners, with a focus on measurable outcomes. Strong partnership working is essential.

Flexibility is required, including occasional evening and travel to other local projects to maintain continuity of care.

Key responsibilities

• Complete risk and needs assessments to inform treatment and support plans.
• Deliver tailored 1:1 and group interventions based on individual client needs.
• Refer to and collaborate with partner agencies (e.g. housing, health, employment, and family support).
• Coordinate care with healthcare professionals to manage risks and improve health outcomes.
• Motivate and support clients to engage with services and work towards goals such as housing, training, or recovery.
• Take an active role in the implementation and achievement of team objectives
• Build strong relationships with, and makes full use of the support offered by, Line Management and Head Office functions. Occasional travel is required to attend team, departmental and other meetings. 
• Take on other reasonable tasks and responsibilities as deemed appropriate by Line Manager.

The ideal candidate will have

• Strong understanding of the needs of people who are rough sleeping or experiencing housing instability.
• In-depth knowledge of at least one: substance misuse, alcohol misuse, or mental health.
• Awareness of complex and multiple needs and the barriers to engagement.
• Understanding of supported housing systems and tenancy sustainment.
• Knowledge of safeguarding procedures for vulnerable adults.
• Familiarity with local services and geography (East Kent preferred).
• Experience supporting rough sleepers or delivering outreach-based services.
• Background in social care, housing, or substance misuse settings.

About Us

We are The Forward Trust, the social enterprise with charitable status that empowers people to break the often interlinked cycles of crime and addiction to move forward with their lives. For more than 25 years we have been working with people to build positive and productive lives, whatever their past. We believe that anyone is capable of lasting change. Our services have supported thousands of people to make positive changes and build productive lives with a job, family, friends and a sense of community.

We are committed to our cause and the work we carry out as a charity. Equally the wellbeing and the employees who work for us are also important. Joining us an employee, we will offer you the following benefits:

• Flexible working
• Training and development opportunities
• Simply Health Cashback Scheme (optional)
• Season Ticket Loan Scheme 
• Cycle to work scheme
• Crisis Loan Scheme
• Electric Car Scheme
• 3 x Wellbeing Days (pro rata'd for part time employees)
• Access to Blue Light Card
• 25 days (rising to 30 with length of service) Annual Leave plus Bank Holidays 
• Contributory Pension Scheme – Employer matched contributions of up to 6% in the first two years’ service and up to 9% thereafter 
• Death in Service Payment (2x annual salary) 
• Critical Illness Insurance (subject to qualifying criteria)

Diversity at Forward Trust

The Forward Trust commits to providing opportunities to everyone. We want to ensure we have a diverse team with a range of lived and professional experiences. This includes those with ‘Lived Experience’ of addiction, offending, or homelessness.

When we recruit, we welcome applications from everyone. This is inclusive of age, gender, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion and/or belief, marriage and civil partnerships, pregnancy and maternity and socio-economic background. Where operationally possible, we will consider flexible working requests and make reasonable adjustments for all roles.

Employee Screening and Eligibility to Work

We recognise the importance of safeguarding, dependent on role you may be required to undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service Check, details of which will be shared with you at interview.

If successful in your application, you will be required to provide eligibility to work evidence in line with the ‘Eligibility to Work in the UK’ requirements.

To Apply

If you feel you are a suitable candidate and would like to work for the Forward Trust, please proceed through the following link to be redirected to their website to complete your application.

https://careers.forwardtrust.org.uk/vacancies/177/hostel-in-reach-support-worker.html

Contact information

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