Lead Worker - East Surrey Outreach Service

Role

Lead Worker – East Surrey Outreach Service

Salary £35,956 per annum

Contract

Fixed term until 31 March 2027

Hours

37.5 per week

Location

Redhill

Closing date

07/06/2026

Interview date

15/06/2026

Whatever your experience of street homelessness and its impact on people’s lives – personal or professional – when you join the Thames Reach team as a Lead Worker we will make the best use of all your understanding, compassion and commitment

About us…

Thames Reach runs projects and services that help to end homelessness in and around London. We work directly with homeless people on the streets and in hostels. We work to prevent vulnerable people from becoming homeless. We help formerly homeless people get their lives back on track. We help people find work and access training and volunteering opportunities.

Is our mission easy? No, but we never give up on people. Last year we helped more than 15,000 people.

Is our work rewarding? Yes, in every sense. We’re listed as one of the top 100 Best Workplaces in the UK. There’s no better place to develop or transfer your skills and build a fulfilling career.

About this role…

We are looking for a Lead Worker to join the East Surrey Outreach Service.

The Thames Reach Outreach teams operate across London and help those who are rough sleeping to find routes away from the street. The teams respond rapidly and work flexibly to reach people. Individuals are assessed to identify their support needs and support plans are created, including work to obtain identification, access health services and refer to other specialist agencies, including those offering immigration support.

We will not accept applications where Artificial Intelligence (AI) has been used to assist with completing the competency questions.

You will

.Conduct assertive outreach and engagement with rough sleepers, sofa surfers, and vulnerable individuals at risk of homelessness across East Surrey.

.Facilitate housing pathways by working closely with local authorities and supporting clients through resettlement and tenancy sustainment

.Collaborate with multi-agency partners, including housing teams, probation, hospitals, enforcement, and charities, to coordinate support for clients

.Manage referrals, ensuring all are logged promptly and followed up, and monitor the duty inbox for new or unassigned cases.

.Participate in outreach shifts, including early morning and out-of-hours work, and accurately record activities and outcomes in the INFORM system.

.Co-ordinating day-to-day support for clients, including outreach engagement and resettlement support, including those being discharged from prisons & hospitals, while maintaining regular communication with commissioners and partner agencies to provide updates on client progress and support planning.

*Travel independently across East Surrey, ideally using a personal vehicle (business insurance required. Mileage expenses can be claimed), to attend outreach shifts, meetings, and client visits.

You will have

.Experience working with people experiencing homelessness, rough sleeping, or complex needs, ideally in an outreach or support setting.

.Strong partnership and multi-agency working skills, with the ability to build effective relationships across sectors.

.Excellent organizational skills, including managing caseloads, maintaining accurate records, and following protocols for safeguarding and compliance.

.Experience in working independently and as part of a team, including lone working during outreach shifts.

.Good communication skills, both written and verbal, for engaging clients, reporting, and collaborating with colleagues and partners.

.Experience in effectively representing the service in multi-agency settings, providing clear updates on client progress, supporting people to sustain their tenancies and demonstrating a coordinated approach to managing.

*Full driving licence and access to a personal vehicle for work purposes.

We are listed in the top 100 UK Best Workplaces 2023 in the UK. As part of a commitment to our employees we offer

.Generous holiday allowance – 29 days per year plus 8 public holidays (pro rata).

.Pension – we contribute 6.5% to your pension when you contribute 1.5%.

.Excellent development opportunities – career progression, regular supervision and appraisals, and learning programmes to support your career with Thames Reach.

.Wellbeing support – our 24/7 employee assistance programme and opportunities for TOIL.

.Life assurance – four times your annual salary and critical illness cover.

.Other benefits including a blue light discount card, interest free season ticket and cycle to work loans.

Thames Reach is committed to achieving a diverse workforce that reflects the communities we serve. We value, respect, and celebrate diversity. We welcome and encourage applicants from all sections of the community regardless of their history of homelessness, sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, or religious belief.

To apply visit our website and complete our application form.

For further information please contact, Daniel Price, Lead Manager at Daniel.Price@thamesreach.org.uk

Thames Reach is committed to safeguarding. Applicants must be willing to undergo pre-employment screening appropriate to the post, including, but not limited to checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service. Having a criminal record will not exclude you from applying but you will be asked to provide further details as most posts are considered exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.

Proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme

Disability Confident

About Disability Confident

A Disability Confident employer will generally offer an interview to any applicant that declares they have a disability and meets the minimum criteria for the job as defined by the employer. It is important to note that in certain recruitment situations such as high-volume, seasonal and high-peak times, the employer may wish to limit the overall numbers of interviews offered to both disabled people and non-disabled people. For more details please go to Disability Confident.