Referral and Assessment Worker

Join Us and Help Shape Brighter Futures

At Depaul UK, we believe in people’s potential — and we take action every day to help unlock it. Whether you’re supporting young people directly or strengthening our organisation behind the scenes, your work will create real, lasting impact.

About the Role

Referral and Assessment Worker | £29,481 per annum | Fixed Term until March 2027 | Greater Manchester

Join our Pathfinder team and be the first point of contact for young people at risk of homelessness. You'll use your assessment, communication and decision-making skills to understand individual needs, provide advice and guidance, identify safeguarding concerns, and connect people to the right support at the right time.

You will be someone who can build trust quickly, assess risk confidently, manage information accurately, and work collaboratively with partners to achieve positive outcomes. You will be passionate about supporting vulnerable people, thrive in a fast-paced environment, and believe in the potential of every individual.

With ongoing training, flexible working, wellbeing support and the opportunity to create lasting change in communities across Greater Manchester, this is your chance to build a rewarding career while helping others move forward.

We warmly welcome applications from people with lived experience and from all backgrounds.

Please note that this job opportunity is offered as a full-time (37.5 hours per week ), 7 months Fixed Term contract .

Key Deliverables:

You'll use your communication, assessment and decision-making skills to:

• Be a welcoming first point of contact for people experiencing homelessness and referral partners, offering information, advice and signposting.

• Build an understanding of people's circumstances through needs and risk assessments.

• Handle information sensitively and accurately, following data protection and information-sharing procedures.

• Recognise and respond appropriately to safeguarding concerns, taking action to help keep people safe.

What we are looking for from you (Person Specification)

When completing your application form please address all the points set out below.

Knowledge and Experience

• Experience of supporting vulnerable people, including those experiencing homelessness, and an understanding of the challenges they may face.

• The ability to identify, raise and report safeguarding concerns appropriately and in a timely way.

• Experience of assessing and managing risk.

• A good understanding of safeguarding principles and how to apply them in practice.

• Experience of maintaining accurate records and updating data systems.

Skills and Abilities

• Strong communication skills, with the ability to adapt approach and messaging to a range of audiences and situations.

• Proven ability to build positive and professional relationships with individuals, colleagues and external partners.

• Effective organisational and time-management skills, including the ability to manage competing priorities and work independently while contributing to team objectives.

• Confidence and proficiency in using IT systems, including databases, Microsoft Teams and Microsoft Office, to maintain records and manage information.

• Sound professional judgement, with a consistent ability to maintain appropriate boundaries when working with vulnerable people.

• Strong attention to detail, demonstrated through accurate and timely record keeping and case documentation.

• Resilience and effectiveness in managing a varied workload within a fast-paced environment while meeting agreed deadlines, targets and quality standards.

• Strong assessment and analytical skills, enabling informed decisions about eligibility, risk, support needs and appropriate next steps.

• Confidence in communicating decisions, outcomes and available options clearly and sensitively to individuals and partner organisations.

• Good knowledge of support pathways and services, enabling effective signposting and referral to appropriate provision.

• Commitment to person-centred practice, demonstrating empathy, respect and a strengths-based approach to supporting positive outcomes.

What You’ll Receive

• Tailored training and development
• Flexible working options where suitable
• 26 days annual leave, rising with service
• Family‑friendly leave policies
• Pension scheme with employer contributions up to 7%
• Employee Assistance Programme with 24/7 GP access
• Discounts across retail, travel, food, fitness and more
• Cash health plan for you and your family
• Death‑in‑service benefit
• Access to legal and practical support

Safer Recruitment

Depaul UK is committed to fair and inclusive recruitment, and we welcome applications from people of all backgrounds. If a role requires it under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975, we will carry out the appropriate Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) check. We only look at information that is relevant to the role, and a criminal record will never be treated as an automatic barrier to employment. All DBS information is handled sensitively, confidentially and in line with the DBS Code of Practice, and we encourage applicants to discuss any concerns with us openly.