This is an exciting opportunity to join our new service at the very beginning, influencing how the service develops and making a real impact in people’s lives.
We are launching a new, forward‑thinking service designed to provide a rapid, compassionate and highly personalised support to individuals who are rough sleeping or experiencing domestic abuse across East Sussex. This innovative model brings together trauma‑informed practice, assertive outreach, and multi‑agency collaboration to ensure people access safety with wrap around support to enable them informed choices in their lives.
As a Social Worker in our new team, you will:
- Provide specialist assessments under the Care Act, and Mental Capacity Act to enable a strength- based support plans. Safety planning, and ongoing support to adults facing homelessness or domestic abuse.
- Work flexibly across community settings, including outreach, emergency accommodation, and with partnership agencies.
- Build trusting relationships with people who may be ambivalent about engaging with services.
- Use a trauma‑informed, strengths‑based approach to empower individuals to regain control and stability.
- Work closely with housing, health, police, and voluntary sector partners to create integrated support plans.
- Lead on safeguarding concerns and ensure statutory duties are met with professionalism and care.
- Bring creativity and problem‑solving to a service that aims to remove barriers, not create them.
We’re looking for someone who is:
- A qualified Social Worker (SWE registered)
- Passionate about supporting people facing multiple complex needs
- Confident working within homelessness and/or domestic abuse contexts
- Skilled in trauma‑informed and person‑centred practice
- Able to work independently and collaboratively
- Compassionate, resilient, and committed to making services accessible to those who need them most
Experience in homelessness, domestic abuse support, mental health, or substance misuse is desirable. Above all, we want someone with empathy, creativity, and a commitment to social justice.
Please download the job description and person specification or more information.
To apply for this role, please follow the ‘Apply Now’ button and upload your CV and a supporting statement. We will be using your supporting statement to shortlist so please be sure to address how you meet all the criteria in the person specification, drawing on any relevant work/life experience, education, or personal interests.
For guidance on how to write an application see our how to apply page and our statement on the use of AI.
Interview invites will be sent out to successful candidates after the closing date and will take place early June. If you are unavailable on the dates let us know and we may be able to schedule an alternative date to interview you.
Candidates who meet certain criteria are given priority when we shortlist. See our priority status page for details.
We will recognise and value your contribution and will invest in your future with us. We ensure a fully supported introduction to employment, competitive pay, rewards, and benefits.
There are many rewards working for East Sussex County Council, some of these include:
- The chance to shape an innovative new service
- Supportive leadership and high‑quality reflective supervision
- Ongoing professional development and specialist training
- Opportunities for career progression within a growing service
- A workplace culture that values wellbeing, collaboration, and kindness
For more information about our diverse range of benefits please click on the link provided benefits page.
For an informal discussion about this opportunity contact Bev Hull, Head of Service via bev.hull@eastsussex.gov.uk
For work that makes a difference, choose East Sussex!
Additional Information
This post is subject to an Enhanced DBS check or Enhanced check for Regulated Activity with the Disclosure & Barring Services (previously the Criminal Records Bureau). For further information about what is required in this process please go to
https://www.gov.uk/dbs-check-applicant-criminal-record. Please note that we require evidence of an overseas police check if you have lived or worked abroad.
Your starting salary will be pro rata if the above position is part-time or term-time only.
If you require any reasonable adjustments, due to disability, to enable you to participate fully in the process please contact the hiring manager on the contact details above.
