Outreach & Engagement Worker (Adults)

JOB PACK

Outreach & Engagement Worker

About St Luke’s

St Luke’s is an Anglican parish church in the Bank Top area of Blackburn. The
church has received significant investment through the Diocese of Blackburn to build
a new church hall, renovate the church building, and establish a thriving Christian
community.

Bank Top and the Galligreaves estate is one of the economically poorest areas of
Blackburn. The church has grown to around 130 attendees on a Sunday and many
more at activities during the week. A strong relationship has been built with the local
primary schools and public agencies, with the church at the centre of the community.
This provides the opportunity to develop missional work. St Luke’s also plays a wider
role as a Youth Resourcing Church for the Diocese of Blackburn, providing training in
youth work for other churches.

St Luke’s wants to be a thriving multi-generational church, empowering people of all
ages to reach and disciple emerging generations from amongst those who have no
or little existing contact with the Christian faith.

The team at St Luke’s is led by Jason Gardner (Vicar) and Rachel Gardner (Youth
Resourcing Lead), alongside a Curate and 5 other staff to bring about a new chapter
for St Luke’s and the local community. Having re-established ourselves, we are now
looking to the next chapter in the life of St Luke’s, building capacity and discipling
new Christians to become the leaders of the future.

St Luke’s is an enthusiastic, fast paced, professional, and fun working environment
where we seek to encourage and offer compassion in everything we do.  There is
huge variety in the activities we undertake and we look to be innovative and creative
in our mission approach.  We are looking for ambitious, faith-filled, enthusiastic
individuals to join us on our journey and be part of St Luke’s staff team.

Outreach & Engagement Worker (Adults)– Job Description

Role purpose

To engage and build trusting relationships with vulnerable adults in the community,
offering practical support, pastoral care, and opportunities to explore the Christian
faith in a sensitive and accessible way.

Vulnerable adults may include individuals experiencing homelessness, addiction,
unemployment, social isolation, offending history, mental health challenges, poverty,
or those disengaged from church and mainstream services.

Role profile

Job title: Outreach & Engagement Worker (Adults) - fixed term contract for 12
months with the potential for extension as further funding is secured

Reports to: Social Transformation Lead, St Luke’s Church

Location: St Luke’s Church, Bank Top, Blackburn, BB2 1TA

Diversity: St Luke`s believes that diversity enables us to thrive and develop and is
committed to race equality, welcoming applications from UK Minority Ethnic
backgrounds.

Special conditions of employment: As a faith-based organisation and a place of
Christian worship, our beliefs are foundational to everything we do. The post-holder
will be expected to be sympathetic to these beliefs and work actively to support our
ministry and vision.

Salary: £13.50 per hour (£14,040 p.a for 20 hours) from April 2026. Remuneration
will be reviewed annually.

Working days/hours: 16-20 hours per week. The working hours and pattern can be
discussed and agreed upon appointment.

Annual leave: 25 days per annum pro-rata plus bank holidays

Probation period: The role will be subject to completion of a satisfactory 3-month
probationary period; appraisals will take place annually thereafter.

Safeguarding: St Luke’s church is committed to Safeguarding and promoting the
welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults. All post holders and
volunteers are expected to share this commitment and undertake Diocesan
Safeguarding training courses as well as undergo a DBS check.

Pension: There will be a pension scheme available with an employer contribution of
10%.

Pre-employment checks: Appointment to the role will be subject to receipt of two
satisfactory references, eligibility to work in the UK and completion of an
occupational health check/survey.

Key responsibilities

1. Relationship-Based Outreach

•  Build consistent, trust-based relationships with marginalised adults
•  Engage individuals in community settings (streets, hostels, cafés, community

hubs)

•  Provide a non-judgmental and compassionate presence
•  Work patiently with individuals who may distrust institutions

2. Practical Support & Advocacy

•  Signpost and refer to housing, benefits, debt advice, addiction recovery, and

mental health services

•  Support individuals in accessing statutory and voluntary services
•  Advocate on behalf of vulnerable adults when appropriate
•  Assist with practical needs (food parcels, clothing, emergency support)

3. Faith Engagement

•  Share the Christian message respectfully and appropriately
•  Offer prayer and pastoral care when welcomed
•  Create accessible faith spaces (informal discussion groups, drop-ins,

recovery-focused Bible studies)

•  Support discipleship journeys for those who come to faith

  4. Programme Development

•  Develop outreach initiatives such as drop-in sessions, recovery groups,

community meals, employability workshops

•  Partner with local agencies and charities
•  Recruit and train volunteers for outreach work

5. Safeguarding & Risk Management

•  Follow safeguarding procedures for vulnerable adults
•  Manage boundaries appropriately
•  Conduct risk assessments for outreach activities
•  Maintain confidential and accurate records

Expected Outcomes

Vulnerable adults engaging with the Outreach Support Worker will:

•  Receive appropriate signposting and practical support to access statutory
services such as housing, health, social care, and financial assistance
•  Experience increased stability, safety, and confidence through consistent

relational support

•  Be empowered to make informed decisions, build life skills, and develop

healthier coping strategies

•  Be encouraged and supported in their journey of faith, fostering hope,

purpose, and personal transformation

•  Begin to break cycles of longstanding and complex needs through a holistic
approach addressing emotional, practical, social, and spiritual wellbeing

•  Demonstrate improved engagement with community resources, faith

communities, and supportive networks

•  Move toward greater independence, resilience, and overall wellbeing

Person specification

This position requires professionalism and the ability to work in an ever-changing
environment where multi-tasking, sound decision making, self-motivation and
discretion are essential. The post-holder will need proven organisational,
administrative, communication and inter-personal skills.

Criteria

Essential/Desirable  How this will be

Health & Social Care or Equivalent Qualification
A good level of literacy skills necessary to work with
public agencies

Essential
Essential

assessed

Application
Application

Excellent organisation and administration skills, able
to meet deadlines and manage workload

Essential

Application
and interview

Ability to learn and use simple IT applications,
including Microsoft Office

Essential

Application

Good level of knowledge of safeguarding and
boundary setting in working with vulnerable adults

Essential

Strong interpersonal and conflict-resolution skills
including the ability to manage challenging behaviour
calmly and safely
Ability to recruit, direct, and inspire volunteers

Essential

Desirable

Experience of working with vulnerable adults and ability
to engage and signpost effectively

Essential

Application and
Interview

Application and
Interview

Application and
interview

Application and
interview

Understanding of local organisations with ability to build
positive working relationships
Supportive of the work of St Luke’s in bringing God’s
love to our local community

Desirable

Interview

Essential

Interview

How to apply

Thank you for taking the time to read this job advert, the St Luke’s team hope you
are now planning to apply to join them.

To apply for this role, please complete an application form explaining why you have
applied and what skills and experience you will bring to the role and send it to our
Operations Manager, Andy Foot (andy@welcometostlukes.org). If you would like to
find out more about the role, please contact our Social Transformation Lead, Emma
Mayoh (emma@welcometostlukes.org).

The deadline for applications is Monday 30th March 2026