STEPS Navigator – Public Health

Hackney is one of the most dynamic and progressive local authorities in the UK. We are a resilient, vibrant, and creative borough in the heart of London, with strong, diverse communities and a powerful set of shared values.

Over the past twenty years, the Council has built up first-class services, outstanding public infrastructure, and a reputation for excellence, innovation, and ambition. We are leading the way on essential work such as our fight for equity in Hackney with a particular focus on becoming an actively anti-racist borough. But the work doesn’t stop there, we are proactive in our approach to bringing fairness to all aspects of life including gender, neurodiversity and across the poverty divide.

Our Public Health Service plays a vital role in this mission. We’re passionate about improving the health and wellbeing of our diverse communities in both Hackney and the City of London. We work collaboratively and creatively to address health inequalities and create a healthier future for all.

The City of London Corporation shares this commitment to community and sustainability. As the governing body of the Square Mile, they play a crucial role in supporting a thriving London and contributing to a flourishing society.

If you would like to find out more information about public health in the City and Hackney, please visit the Hackney and City of London Health and Wellbeing Profiles website at https://hackneyjsna.org.uk/ and the services recruitment page at https://recruitment.hackney.gov.uk/the-public-health-team/.

Are you ambitious, focused and ready to do that little bit extra to achieve a positive outcome for people who often struggle to engage with services, are not listened to or who have been passed from service to service?

Public Health for the City and Hackney are recruiting for a post that will deliver an outreach service that will focus on engaging rough sleepers in both boroughs and help them to access services. This is a 12 month Drug and Alcohol Treatment and Recovery Improvement grant funded post based in the STEPS (supporting Transitions and Empowering People Service) team.

As a STEPS Rough Sleeper Navigator, you will be responsible for implementing a range of interventions and support measures as part of an integrated package of health, therapeutic and social support under the direction of the STEPS Team Leader. STEPS is part of the Making Every Adult Matter (MEAM) coalition, which helps local areas design and deliver better coordinated services for people experiencing multiple disadvantage.

You will undertake a creative and intensive outreach approach to engage rough sleepers and utilise a broad range of highly developed specialist skills, alongside a high level of professional autonomy. The post holder will have the ability to adapt to shifting demands and priorities and lead on named areas of work related to the development of the Hackney and City Initiative

You will be a big part of a small team, where everyone takes a flexible and collaborative approach to work, and is committed to improving outcomes for vulnerable and marginalised groups. Like STEPS, you will be passionate about changing entrenched social issues, and will respond by ‘doing things differently’. You will play an integral part of a team where everyone takes an energetic, flexible and collaborative approach to their work and may be required to contribute to other programmes and work areas across the Public Health Team.

The following criteria is essential for this post:

• A relevant professional or vocational qualification (e.g. nursing, social work, mental health, education, criminal justice, youth work, therapeutic or equivalent)
• Extensive experience of working with adults experiencing multiple disadvantages: substance dependency, enduring mental health conditions, homelessness and involvement in the criminal justice system.
• Experience and knowledge of trauma informed practice
• Experience of case management including assessments, care planning and reviews with clients with intersecting needs
• Knowledge of adult safeguarding and Child Protection Procedures
• Extensive experience of outreach work with underserved populations
• Ability to be creative and flexible to develop relationships with people who find it difficult to engage
• Knowledge of and commitment to the MEAM approach
• An Enhanced DBS check will be required.

As a Council, our most outstanding asset is our staff, who are highly dedicated to serving our residents and committed to our goals as an organisation.

If you want to work in a place where you can represent our values so we achieve the best for our residents, please click on the apply button below.

We operate a fair and open anonymous selection process. Therefore, we do not accept supporting statements or CV’s.

To proceed with your application, you will need to create an account and submit your application.

As part of the application process, you will need to complete a number of competency based questions. These questions allow you to demonstrate your suitability for the role and provide examples of your skills, knowledge and experience outlined in the job description.

We understand the benefits of using AI in the workplace. However, if you are thinking of using this tool to submit your application, we ask you to think about what value it will add. AI tools tend to lack the personal touch and authenticity we value in candidates. We encourage you to showcase your unique knowledge and skills using your own voice.

Closing date for applications: 06 March 2025 (22.59)

Interview and assessment date: 31 March 2025

We are also working towards our vision, which is to be a place for everyone; where residents and staff can be proud; a place that celebrates diversity and where everyone can feel valued, included and involved. In order to achieve this, we look for people who are: Proud; Ambitious; Pioneering; Open; Proactive; Inclusive.

Hackney Council works to eradicate discrimination on the basis of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation. We also recognise that people can be disadvantaged by their social and economic circumstances, so we will also work to eliminate discrimination and disadvantage caused by social class. We also welcome those interested in flexible working. We particularly welcome applications from disabled people, as this group is currently under represented in our workforce.

The Council has a dedicated employment support service (Hackney Works), which offers Hackney residents guidance in relation to applying for jobs. If you are thinking about applying for a job, please contact the Hackney Works team to find out what support is available: hackneyworks@hackney.gov.uk