Homelessness Prevention and Outreach Worker
Suffolk County Council · Ipswich · £28,000 (stated in the posting)
- Ipswich Housing Action Group (ihAg)
- Address: Ipswich, Suffolk IP1 2EF
- Salary: £28,000 per annum
- Hours: 37.5 hours per week, includes some Saturdays
- Contract: Permanent, require as soon as possible
- Reference: 0971
Working within ihAg's relationship-first and person-centred approach, the Homelessness Prevention and Outreach Worker will work alongside the Advocacy Team to engage with people who are rough sleeping or at risk of homelessness. Through outreach, triage, advocacy and homelessness prevention support, they will help individuals access accommodation, navigate housing, health and social care systems, address barriers to stability, strengthen resilience, and achieve sustainable outcomes.
At ihAg, our starting point is simple: people matter. We don't define people by their problems. We're building an organisation centred on relationships, practical action and helping people move forward. If you're someone who enjoys working alongside others, sees potential where others see problems, and wants to be part of a team that is learning and evolving, we'd love to hear from you.
Your responsibilities will be to:
- build purposeful, professional relationships that promote engagement, trust and positive change
- work in a trauma-informed manner, recognising the impact of adversity, trauma and exclusion on individuals' lives
- provide advocacy, advice and practical support to individuals to access accommodation, support services and other relevant agencies
- conduct (early morning) outreach sweeps across Ipswich to identify and engage individuals who are rough sleeping
- assist individuals to develop the skills and confidence required to manage and sustain their tenancy
- build strong relationships with statutory, voluntary and private sector organisations to resolve issues and prevent homelessness wherever possible
- coordinate and contribute to multi-agency support plans to improve outcomes and reduce risk
- maintain accurate, timely and confidential case records
- use reflective practice to continually develop and improve service delivery
- assess, manage and escalate risks appropriately, including safeguarding concerns
- attend supervision, training and team meetings
- adhere to organisational policies, safeguarding procedures, health and safety requirements, and data protection legislation
- undertake any other duties reasonably requested by the Advocacy Services Manager.
You will need:
- experience of working with people experiencing homelessness, housing insecurity and/or multiple disadvantage
- experience of delivering one-to-one support, advocacy or case management
- to be flexible and adaptable in response to changing needs and priorities
- to be able to travel independently across the Ipswich area.
About us
ihAg exists to prevent and relieve homelessness in Ipswich and the wider Suffolk area. Our purpose is to support people who are homeless, at risk of homelessness, or living in insecure or unsuitable housing to regain stability, safety and control over their lives.
We take a relationship-based, non-judgemental approach and provide practical and emotional support, advocacy and signposting. Our role is often to bridge gaps between services and engage people who struggle to access mainstream provision.
As a small charity rooted in our community, our aim is to prevent crisis, reduce harm, strengthen community connections and help people build safer and more stable futures.
We will offer you:
- 32 days annual leave
- 7% employer contribution to ihAg’s stakeholder pension scheme
- Salary sacrifice pension scheme
- Salary sacrifice EV scheme (where eligible)
- Salary sacrifice Electric Bike scheme
For more information
For an informal discussion only, please contact Hayley Kendall by calling 07871 617032.
How to apply
Please download an application form by visiting the vacancies page of our website.
Complete the application form, ensuring you address the points in the person specification, and send it with your CV to Hayley Kendall, Advocacy Services Manager, by email to hayley@ihag.co.uk.
Closing date: 1pm, 28 October 2026
Ipswich Housing Action Group (ihAg) | Ipswich IP1 2EF | £28,000 per annum | Full Time | Permanent | Closing date: 28 October 2026