Job Overview
Assertive Outreach support worker Band 4 Full‑time, 37.5 hours Community Mental Health Hub (Brent). Make engagement happen. Prevent crisis. Change trajectories. We’re building a focused Assertive Outreach (AO) offer within our Community Mental Health Hub to reach adults with severe mental illness (SMI) who are at risk of disengaging from care. If you thrive on meaningful relationship‑building, rapid decision‑making, and real‑world impact, this role is for you.
As an Assertive Outreach support worker, you’ll be the consistent, trusted keyworker for a small caseload, delivering time‑limited, intensive support over a stepped 6‑month model. You’ll combine engagement and therapeutic skill with creativity and persistence—meeting people where they are, in homes and community spaces across Brent—to stabilise engagement, reduce risk, and prevent crisis.
Detailed Job Description and Main Responsibilities
- Carry out outreach activities as directed by the Band 6 AO Worker, including home visits, community meetings, and phone/text contact.
- Support the “no discharge for DNA” approach by using persistent, creative engagement strategies.
- Provide practical support that enables engagement, such as:
- Attending housing appointments
- Supporting with benefits forms
- Helping with ID applications
- Accompanying service users to GP or D&A appointments
- Supporting access to community resources
- Build rapport through empathy, reliability, and trauma‑informed practice.
- Maintain regular contact attempts in line with the AO model.
- Assist with housing, benefits, appointments, and daily living tasks.
- Support the team in delivering the stepped 6‑month outreach model.
- Contribute to risk monitoring and communication within the MDT.
- Work safely in the community with the support of your team.
Qualifications
Essential criteria
- Good standard of general education (GCSE or equivalent).
Desirable criteria
- NVQ Level 3 in Health & Social Care or equivalent.
- Training in mental health, substance use, or housing support.
Experience
Essential criteria
- Experience working with people with mental health needs or other vulnerabilities.
- Experience providing practical support (housing, benefits, community support).
- Experience working in community settings.
- Experience working with people who may be reluctant to engage.
Desirable criteria
- Experience in NHS or social care settings.
- Experience supporting individuals with SMI or dual diagnosis.
- Experience working with multidisciplinary teams.
Knowledge
Essential criteria
- Understanding of mental health difficulties and the impact on daily living.
- Awareness of safeguarding adults and children.
- Understanding of confidentiality and professional boundaries.
Desirable criteria
- Knowledge of local housing systems, benefits, and community resources.
- Awareness of trauma-informed practice.
Skills And Abilities
Essential criteria
- Ability to build rapport with people who may be distressed or ambivalent about support.
- Strong communication skills (verbal and written).
- Ability to organise and prioritise workload.
- Ability to work flexibly in community settings.
- Ability to recognise and escalate risk appropriately.
Desirable criteria
- Ability to facilitate small practical sessions (e.g., form‑filling, budgeting).
- Ability to work with interpreters and diverse communities.
#J-18808-Ljbffr…