Homeless worker

Homeless worker job description: Typical employers | Qualifications and training | Key skills | Useful links | Find jobs and courses

Job responsibilities and the amount of contact with the homeless vary according to the size of employer: in larger organisations staff can be mostly office-based, whereas those working for smaller employers may have frequent contact with the homeless. Typical duties include:

• creating and maintaining mailing lists and databases of services for the homeless
• updating and providing information on hostel vacancies and housing rights
• assessing clients for any statutory rights they have
• making referrals
• ‘street' work
• liaising with appropriate voluntary and statutory agencies
• answering and responding to telephone calls
• undertaking mail-shots and publicity tasks
• sorting and pricing donated stock for charity shops
• arranging shop displays
• recruiting, training and managing employees and volunteers
• handling correspondence
• financial/accounts administration
• gathering and processing information from questionnaires and interviews
• liaising with volunteers/members of staff
• undertaking research.

Typical employers of homeless workers

Homeless workers are volunteers or paid employees of charitable and non-profit making organisations such as Crisis and Shelter.

Vacancies are advertised via the internet, by careers services, in newspapers, Community Care, The Voice and specialist charity sector publications such as Charity and Voluntary Sector Appointments, Charity Magazine, Third Sector and ICFM Recruitment Update. Speculative applications are advisable, particularly for voluntary work - for which the Voluntary Agencies Directory and Charities Digest may be useful. Local charities and volunteer bureaux can often provide work experience placements.

Qualifications and training required

A proven commitment to the issues surrounding homelessness is more important than academic qualifications. Applicants who can demonstrate that they possess the relevant skills through voluntary or paid work experience are the ones who will beat the competition to the top jobs. A degree in any subject is helpful, particularly qualifications in finance, business studies, management, marketing, public relations or social administration.

Key skills for homeless workers

• good communication
• numerical skills
• interpersonal skills
• IT skills
• organisation
• team-working
• administrative skills
• resourcefulness
• flexibility.