Rough Sleepers Specialist Social Worker

Rough Sleepers Specialist Social Worker

£38,976 to £52,767

12 Month Fixed Term

Full Time - 36 hours

Wandsworth

Do you have a particular passion for supporting people who have experienced street homelessness?

Are you a qualified and experienced Social Worker looking for a new role within a fast developing sector with a strong focus on innovation and problem solving?

If yes, we have the perfect role for you!

An exciting opportunity has presented within the Adult Social Care and Health Directorate for two Social Workers to operate within the rapidly developing Street Homeless Pathway in Richmond and Wandsworth boroughs.

The role is a new post, with funding initially available for one year from the start date. This role is offered as a secondment to permanent staff or as a one-year fixed term contract to external staff.

About the role

The successful candidate will have an interest in street homeless/ rough sleeping issues and an understanding of the multiple disadvantages this cohort experience in accessing statutory and non-statutory services.

We are looking for an experienced, enthusiastic and dynamic Social Worker who is looking for a creative career development opportunity.

The successful candidate will need to be innovative and flexible with a strong belief in/ experience of effective partnership working.You will need to have excellent communication skills, both written and verbal and be able to manage a complex case load whilst also being expected to contribute to the overall enhancement of service user's experience and engagement with rough sleeper services in the borough.

To be successful in the role, a comprehensive knowledge and application of relevant legislation is required.The role includes undertaking assessments of need under the Care Act, Mental Capacity Assessments, Human Rights Assessments, and statutory Section 42 Safeguarding Enquiries.

The role will be based within the Richmond and Wandsworth Mental Health and Substance Misuse Service, with line management provided by the Specialist Street Homeless Senior Social Worker.However, the successful candidate will be expected to work alongside a variety of professional teams, including the local outreach service, Rough Sleeping Mental Health Team (RAMHP), Drug and Alcohol Service and Rough Sleeper Team within the Council.

To be shortlisted to interview for this position yourapplicationwill clearly evidence:

• A relevant social work qualification and Social Work England membership
• Passed your ASYE year, and have experience in frontline Social Work
• Creative planning, risk assessment & assessment skills
• Experience of working across voluntary and statutory agencies
• An excellent communicator
• Understand the needs of rough sleepers, including adults with mental health and substance misuse needs
• Applied knowledge of relevant legislation and guidance

For an informal discussion regarding the role please contact Amy Shardlow, Service Manager, Mental Health and Substance Use, on

Secondment

All internal applicants for this secondment must seek permission from their current line manager before applying. Failure to do so may result in the secondment not being authorised.

Closing Date: Sunday 8th March 2026

Shortlisting Date: W/c Monday 9th March 2026

Interview Date: Tuesday 17th March and Wednesday 18th March via MS Teams

Test/Presentation:

We may close this vacancy early once a sufficient number of applications has been received. Please submit your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

Richmond & Wandsworth Better Service Partnership are committed to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone.We are committed to promoting equality and diversity and developing a culture that values differences, recognising that employees from a variety of backgrounds bring important and positive contributions to the Councils and can improve the way we deliver services.

We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer. If you require any reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment and selection process, please let us know.

We are also committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people/vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.Some posts may be exempted under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and as such appointment to these posts will be conditional upon the receipt of a satisfactory response to a check of police records via Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).

We offer a wide range of benefits designed to attract, develop, and reward our employees such as 40 days annual leave (including Bank Holidays), flexible working and a generous pension plan.