ED, Homeless Health HIU Housing Worker

Work with ED colleagues, the hospital Homeless Health Team, local HIU ED Case Worker and Borough HIU Care Coordinators to implement referral and feedback mechanisms for homeless people and HIUs. Build comprehensive knowledge of support services for people with high needs (e.g., housing, welfare, social isolation) and develop and maintain a directory of services in suitable formats to ensure up-to-date information sharing with internal and external colleagues. Agree robust patient flow processes from referral to outcome delivery. Develop and implement communication strategies to inform stakeholders about the service. Identify and escalate risks and implement actions as directed by the line manager. Keep accurate records relating to the care of homeless patients. Attend the fortnightly pan-NWL HIU Network and other relevant meetings. Service Delivery and Casework Act as the central point of contact for referrals of people experiencing homelessness from ED and other hospital departments.

Provide immediate support

Provide direct support with housing, financial, and wellbeing needs, including access to primary and specialist health services on discharge. Coordinate and support reconnection of patients to areas of local connection, arranging travel, accommodation, and care packages as needed. Support the production of Universal Care Plans for homeless people who are also HIUs. Support the development of longer-term packages of care: Carry out time critical, detailed housing and support assessments for homeless patients. Contribute to individualised, patient-led care plans addressing health, housing, and wellbeing needs, including risk management. In collaboration with Borough HIU Care Coordinators, manage a caseload of patients, including ensuring that suitable community outreach and escorting to appointments is available when needed. Advocate for patients within clinical and external settings, ensuring their rights and needs are communicated and met. Advise, signpost, and refer patients to a range of external services relevant to their needs. Ensure all casework is properly recorded and outcomes are entered onto appropriate databases (e.g., Cerner, HIU Case Tracker, local systems). Uphold confidentiality and comply with data protection and safeguarding requirements. Partnership and Team Working Build and maintain effective relationships with ED staff, HIU teams, GPs, ambulance services, police, mental health professionals, social services, community teams, and third sector partners. Work proactively within the hospital and with external agencies to ensure holistic care and safe, timely discharges from ED. This will necessarily include close relationship to out of hospital care team and specialist GP services. Attend and contribute to MDT meetings, ward rounds, and governance meetings. Represent the team in training, conferences, and committees as an expert in homelessness interventions in an Emergency Department setting. Promote the vision of the Homeless Health Team and act as a role model for staff. Safeguarding and Risk Management Proactively identify and act on safeguarding issues for vulnerable adults and children. Identify and manage risks for staff, patients, and visitors, ensuring that appropriate actions are in place to reduce these risks. Diffuse difficult or dangerous situations in line with Trust policies. Ensure compliance with safeguarding legislation and hospital protocols. Education, Training, and Service Improvement Provide housing and homelessness advice to ED staff and contribute to teaching and awareness sessions. Develop patient leaflets and educational materials, ensuring accessibility