Homeless Outreach Practitioner

New Beginnings Brent is a full integrated community drugs and alcohol service for adults. The service provides psychosocial and pharmacological treatment, in partnership with CNWL (Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust). The service also has an outreach team, including a dedicated sex worker project.

About the role

As a Volunteer Homeless Outreach Practitioner you will:

• Support our Assessment and Engagement Team to engage people who are rough sleeping, at risk of homelessness, or living in insecure accommodation.
• Assist staff in delivering compassionate, person-centred support on the street and in the community, helping individuals feel heard, included, and connected to services.
• Support staff during street outreach sessions, including engaging individuals, offering a welcoming presence, and helping build trust and rapport.
• Assist with practical support such as providing information, basic harm-reduction messages (under staff supervision), or signposting to local services.
• Help reconnect individuals to treatment, housing, and wellbeing services.
• Work alongside our practitioners to identify immediate needs and communicate relevant information back to the team.
• Help staff to encourage people to access recovery activities, community resources, and mutual-aid groups.
• Contribute to a safe and trauma-informed environment during outreach and engagement.
• Assist with recording basic information and updates, following staff guidance and confidentiality procedures.
• Promote dignity, respect, and inclusion for people who are rough sleeping or experiencing homelessness.
• Contribute to creating safe, non-judgmental interactions and help the team encourage people to access recovery, wellbeing, and housing pathways.

What skills do I need?

The role would be ideal for someone looking to develop their experience in the drug and alcohol field. While some knowledge of the sector is desirable, we are specifically looking for people who have a passion for the work that we do. A positive attitude and the desire to learn are essential, along with a non-judgmental and supportive approach to people who are facing problems with drugs and alcohol.

What Via can offer you

When you begin volunteering you will be allocated a volunteer supervisor who will act as your main point of contact in your service. They will provide you with ongoing support and supervision and will work closely with you throughout your time at Via. There is also a central volunteer services team that will support you while you are on placement.

In addition, you can expect:

• A full induction to your role and continuous local training
• Access to central staff training opportunities
• Regular supervision
• Reimbursement of reasonable travel expenses and lunch expenses

Interested?

• Find out more about our Brent service .
• Check out our FAQs .
• Download our Volunteer Application Form .
• Download our Volunteer Equal Opportunities Form .