Rough Sleeper Specialist Social Worker - Adults, Taunton

Closing date: 19 June 2026

Location:Can be based at either;Shepton Mallet or Glastonbury offices.Role will be covering East Somerset (South Somerset and Mendip).

Transform lives, champion dignity&support some of the most vulnerable people in our communities.
Build your career. Make a difference. Create lasting change.

Following the success of our pilot introducingRough Sleeper Specialist Social Workersworking directly with people on the streets, Somerset is now embedding this role as atrailblazing and innovative additionto our Adult Social Care service.

This is afixed-term position initially for 18 months, with the expectation of extension, reflecting our commitment to developing new ways of working to better support individuals experiencing long-term rough sleeping.

This is an opportunity to make areal and lasting differenceto the lives of people who are entrenched in rough sleeping and experiencing long-term, complex and often unmet needs.

• 18 months FTCwith an expected extension subject to funding
• Location: Can be based at either;Shepton Mallet or Glastonbury offices.Role will be covering East Somerset (South Somerset and Mendip).
• Starting salary£37,280 rising annually, currently up to£41,777.
• Full time, 37 hours per week.
• 30 daysannual leave entitlement.

Role Purpose

As a Rough Sleeper Specialist Social Worker, you will work directly with individuals who arecurrently experiencing homelessness, many of whom have been living on the streets for extended periods and may feel disengaged or let down by services.

You will be working with a government-definedTarget Priority Group (TPG), supporting people with complex and overlapping needs, including:

• Mental health
• Substance misuse
• Trauma (including historical and ongoing trauma)
• Histories of hospital or mental health admissions

This role requires arelentless, relationship-based approach, working persistently to build trust, break down barriers and support individuals who may not initially want help or engage with services.

This is apioneering post, designed to identify unmet needs, challenge traditional approaches and improve outcomes for a cohort who often sit outside of conventional systems.

Key Responsibilities

• Undertakestrengths-based Care Act assessments, reviews and support planning, including risk assessment
• CompleteMental Capacity Assessments, Safeguarding Enquiries and Court of Protection work where required
• Manage asmall caseload of highly complex individuals, ensuring focused and personalised support
• Provideoutreach-based support, working flexibly to engage individuals who may be reluctant or resistant to services
• Build and maintaintrusted relationships, using persistence, empathy and professional curiosity
• Identifyhidden needs and risks, using observation, judgement and in-depth assessment
• Respond to referrals and urgent situations, including crisis intervention
• Prepare clear, professionalassessments and reportsto support decision-making
• Work collaboratively with housing, health, substance misuse services and voluntary sector partners
• Maintain accurate and timely records in line with legislation and policy

What We're Looking For - Essential Skills/Experience

We're looking for a Social Worker who isresilient, curious and driven to challenge social injustice, with a strong belief in advocating for those whose voices are often unheard.

This is a role for someone who:

• Builds strong,authentic relationshipsin the most challenging circumstances
• Is persistent anddoes not give up easily, even when faced with resistance or barriers
• Can recognisehidden needs and underlying traumabeyond presenting behaviours
• Is confident usingprofessional curiosityand asking difficult questions
• Brings strongemotional intelligence, with the ability to respond empathetically and build trust in complex situations
• Is motivated tochallenge systems and advocate for change, focusing on the rights and needs of individuals

You will also demonstrate stronglegal literacy, with the confidence to apply theCare Act 2014 and associated legislation in creative and flexible ways, supporting individuals whose needs do not always align with traditional service pathways.

You will have:

• A recognisedSocial Work qualificationand current registration withSocial Work England
• Experience or strong interest in working withcomplex needs, including homelessness, mental health and substance misuse
• Knowledge of theCare Act 2014, Mental Capacity Act 2005and safeguarding frameworks
• Ability to manage risk and make sound professional decisions
• Strong communication and multi-agency working skills
• Ability to workflexibly, creatively and solution-focusedin a challenging environment
• Commitment to promoting independence, dignity and inclusion

About the Team/Service

You will be part of asmall, welcoming and highly collaborative Rough Sleeper team, working alongside outreach workers, housing and mental health specialists to support individuals directly on the streets.

• Outreach workers support early morning engagement and verification of rough sleeping
• Housing colleagues support with accommodation pathways and housing legislation
• You will work closely with mental health services and other partners to deliver a coordinated response

The team operates across theEast of Somerset, working flexibly and responsively to meet the needs of this cohort.

Additional Information

Please Note: We may consider offering Skilled Worker visa sponsorship to suitably qualified overseas social workers who are already residing in the UK. To be eligible, applicants must hold a recognised social work qualification and be registered with Social Work England. Sponsorship will be assessed as part of the recruitment process. This is only available to candidates currently living in the UK, as unfortunately we are unable to provide resettlement support.

Due to the nature of the role and the geographical area of the service across Somerset, which is a largely rural county, with limitations around public transport the ability to be able to travel to any location is essential. Therefore, applicants must have full access to a vehicle that can be used for work purposes.

For an informal chat about the role, you can contact Helen Readdy, Recruitment and Engagement Officer Adults

Please note we reserve the right to close this advert early if we have received a sufficient number of applications, so don't delay, apply today!

Person Specification

Criteria

Essential

Desirable

Knowledge and understanding of Social Care practice as defined by Social Work England Guidelines, appropriate legislation and issues relevant to client group.

X

Ability to speak fluent English as stated in Part 7 of the Immigration Act (2016).

X

Understanding of social care resources and provision available beyond statutory agencies.

X

Awareness of government guidance and legislative changes across broad range of Social Service issues.

X

Relevant multi-disciplinary Social Care experience within multi-disciplinary team - relevant to needs of post.

X

Evidence of partnership working with other agencies including Social Care Services, Health Services, Voluntary Agencies and/or Education.

X

A variety of experiences working with relevant client group including Learning Disabilities.

X

Supervisory experience.

X

Previous experience of working with health professionals.

X

Possession of recognised Social Work Qualification - Degree in Social Work (BA), a master's degree in social work, or equivalent.

X

Registration with Social Work England.

X

Ability to speak fluent English as stated in Part 7 of the Immigration Act (2016).

X

Demonstrates empathy, sensitivity, self- awareness and acceptance of others.

X

Able to prioritise workload, work with competing deadlines and organise time effectively.

X

Self-reliant and resilient - able to respond positively to difficult situations.

X

Willingness to embrace organisational change.

X

Access to / use of a vehicle is an essential requirement.

X