Position: Complex Needs Navigator
Location: Slough
Job: Temporary, initially 3 months - possible extension for right candidate
Salary: £22ph - inside IR35
Mayfield Recruitment are working with a Local Authority who is looking for a Complex Needs Navigator to work in the community and homelessness in the Slough area on a temporary on going basis.
You will need extensive expertise supporting rough sleepers, refugees, and vulnerable individuals across housing, outreach, and support services.
Job description for the Complex Needs Navigator:
• An experienced and resilient Complex Needs Navigator to work within the Rough Sleeping Team.
• You will be supporting a small cohort of ex-rough sleepers with complex and multiple needs, providing intensive, person-centered support to help them access services, stabilise their circumstances, and move towards sustainable accommodation and independence.
• This role requires someone confident working in challenging environments, able to build trust with highly vulnerable individuals, and skilled in navigating multi-agency pathways.
• You will advocate for clients, break down barriers to engagement, act as a central point of coordination, and promote improved health, wellbeing and long-term stability.
Key Duties/Accountabilities for the Complex Needs Navigator:
• Build trusting relationships with ex/rough sleepers to motivate positive change and reduce reliance on a street-based lifestyle.
• Identify risks, vulnerabilities and support needs including substance misuse, alcohol dependence, mental health, offending, anti-social behaviour and exploitation.
• Coordinate and facilitate multi-agency working, enabling effective pathways and support plans.
• Support clients to develop life skills, sustain accommodation, improve health and move toward employment or volunteering.
• Provide advocacy and actively remove barriers preventing access to essential services.
• Link clients with relevant services such as mental health teams, drug and alcohol support, healthcare and community resources.
• Support outreach activities including early-morning and late-evening shifts as required.
• Contribute to the delivery of night shelter operations, SWEP, night counts and other homelessness-related initiatives.
• Maintain accurate records, case notes and reports in line with GDPR and council policies.
• Participate in internal reviews, case conferences and multi-agency problem-solving meetings.
• Ensure compliance with lone working procedures, safeguarding requirements and health and safety standards.
Skills/Experience for the Complex Needs Navigator:
• Experience supporting ex/rough sleepers or individuals with highly complex and multiple needs.
• Background in outreach, homelessness services, tenancy sustainment, mental health or drug/alcohol services.
• Strong understanding of homelessness legislation, health and social care frameworks, welfare benefits and immigration considerations.
• Experience in person-centred support planning, case management and accurate record keeping.
• Proven multi-agency working experience and effective problem-solving skills.
• Ability to manage challenging behaviour and maintain professional boundaries.
• Skilled in working independently and under pressure, with resilience and emotional stability.
• IT literate with experience using Microsoft Office and case-management systems.
• Knowledge of safeguarding procedures for adults and children.
• Full driving license and ability to use own vehicle for business use (essential for outreach).
Additional Information:
• Hours: 37 per week.
• Working Pattern: Primarily 09:00–17:30, but must support outreach shifts (06:00–14:00 / 17:00–01:00).
• Driving required: Yes – ability to use personal vehicle for business use.
• On-site working: Required