QPCO intervention officers are outreach workers who support people in the community who are struggling to access the services they are entitled to. This may be because of language or cultural barriers, stigma or discrimination, or simply lack of knowledge and wherewithal.
The majority of people and families that intervention officers work with come from the most deprived wards in Bedford, but intervention officers will work with anyone in Bedford who may need their help.
In their first 18 months in post they have helped people access a range of services including housing, benefits, translation services, immigration and asylum support services, social care, physical and mental health, education, foodbanks and other crisis management services, and voluntary sector organisations that provide targeted support. The intervention officers take a holistic approach, building trust with individuals and communities to help them get to the heart of the issue/s and secure positive outcomes.
The work of intervention officers often entails signposting and referrals to other organisations but it goes a step further by making sure the client can access the service (for example by accompanying them to a meeting, or providing an interpreter) thereby overcoming the barriers that often stop vulnerable and isolated clients from gaining the access they need. Intervention officers are also cleared to issue Foodbank and other similar vouchers to individuals and families in need, working with volunteers to make sure those are collected and delivered to the families that need them.
Please complete this form to access this service.