Stafford & Cannock League of Hospital Friends
Inreach Worker Vacancy
The Redwoods Centre, Shrewsbury, Shropshire
Hours: 21 hours over 3 – 4 days
Salary: £14,578.00 per annum
About the role
We are looking for a compassionate, knowledgeable and well-organised Inreach Worker to join our service at The Redwoods Centre in Shrewsbury.
Working alongside clinical staff and the wider multidisciplinary team, you will support patients on acute wards with housing, welfare benefits and access to appropriate debt advice. Your work will help address the social issues that may otherwise delay a patient’s discharge from hospital.
This is a varied role requiring an understanding of mental health, housing and the welfare benefits system, together with the ability to build positive professional relationships with patients, clinical teams and external agencies.
Key responsibilities
As an Inreach Worker, you will:
* Engage with patients referred to the service by clinical teams.
* Support patients with housing, welfare benefit and income-management matters.
* Help patients access appropriate debt advice.
* Assist with welfare benefit applications, supporting evidence and appeals.
* Refer patients to local authorities for homelessness and housing advice.
* Work collaboratively with ward staff, community teams and other professionals.
* Monitor patients’ engagement with the Inreach Service.
* Identify, assess and manage risks in accordance with ward guidelines and organisational procedures.
* Obtain consent before beginning work with patients.
* Maintain accurate, confidential and up-to-date case records.
* Prepare clear letters, reports, minutes and case-review documentation.
* Respond to correspondence and telephone enquiries.
* Share information appropriately and in accordance with relevant information-sharing protocols.
* Protect patients’ privacy, dignity, wishes, beliefs and individual rights.
* Follow all Midlands Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust procedures, ward protocols and site guidelines.
* Participate in supervision, mandatory training and other learning opportunities.
* Contribute to a safe working environment for patients, colleagues and visitors.
* Challenge discrimination, oppressive practice and behaviour that infringes the rights of others.
About you
We are looking for someone who has:
* Experience of working in a mental health setting.
* A sound understanding of the needs of people experiencing mental ill health.
* Knowledge of relevant mental health legislation, national guidance and policy.
* A good working knowledge of the current welfare benefits system.
* The ability to complete applications and provide supporting evidence for benefit claims or appeals.
* Knowledge of local authority homelessness and housing referral processes.
* The ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team.
* Strong organisational and time-management skills.
* The ability to plan and prioritise their own workload.
* Good written communication skills, including the ability to prepare clear and concise letters and reports.
* An understanding of confidentiality, consent, information sharing and data protection.
* A respectful, person-centred and non-judgemental approach.
* An understanding of the needs of people from different cultural and racial backgrounds.
* A commitment to equality, diversity and delivering services that are responsive to individual needs.
* A willingness to represent the service professionally when working with external organisations.
Why join us?
This is an opportunity to undertake meaningful work that can make a direct difference to patients’ wellbeing, financial security and ability to move on from hospital safely.
You will work closely with experienced health and social care professionals while cotributing to a service that values dignity, inclusion, independence and respect.
For an informal discussion please contact Zoe Pyatt, Head of Housing. Telephone Number: 01785 413234 Option 2 or Email: [email protected]
We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitably qualified individuals, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation.
Applicants must have the right to work in the UK. We are committed to providing reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process.
Personal data will be processed in accordance with our Privacy Policy and UK data protection legislation.
Closing Date: Monday 10th August 2026
Job Type: Part-time
Pay: Up to £14,578.00 per year
Benefits:
- Company pension
- Flexitime
- On-site parking
- Sick pay
Ability to commute/relocate:
- Shrewsbury SY3 8DS: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)
Work Location: In person
