Central is currently recruiting for a Project Worker to work in the Lewisham area. This service provides housing and support for young people, with the aim of promoting independence and preparing them to move on into independent accommodation.
The successful candidate will be required to work 37.5 hours per week, working across Monday - Sunday on a rota basis covering early (8AM - 5:30PM), mid (10AM - 7:30PM) and late (3:30PM - 10:30PM) shifts. Temporary cover is required for approximately 1-2 months. The pay rate for this role is £12.74 per hour, with £1.54 holiday pay, totalling £14.28 per hour.
In this position, you will be required to:
* Hold a caseload of 6 young people and conduct regular key working sessions resulting in agreed Support Plans that are SMART and evidence progress
* Complete comprehensive risk and needs assessments, and risk management plans.
* Interview and comprehensively assess referrals to the project to ensure the criteria is met and suitable young people are accepted
* Ensure new residents are made to feel comfortable and are given information concerning the building and other local services
* Work with mediation or other social workers to enable young people to move back home if appropriate.
* Support young people to identify opportunities for move-on to appropriate PRS, other supported, shared or self-contained accommodation and make appropriate referrals.
* Work with young people to maximise benefit entitlements and secure project income through the collection of rents and service charges and the minimisation of arrears and void loss.
* Work with young people to identify activities that they would like to take part in, to prepare them for independence and move through.
* Run activities or small groups in response to identified client need or as part of a project / borough wide programme of group work.
* Support young people that are ready to move into work, education or training by assisting them to access suitable courses or placements
Please note: this role involves loneworking.
To apply for this role, you must have:
* Experience of working with at-risk young people in a residential setting
* The ability to demonstrate through practice how 'Every Child Matters' relates to the young people living in our accommodation.
* An understanding and experience of applying effective ways of working with young people, in particular; young people with mental health and attachment needs including emerging personality disorder and/or significant self-harm
* Experience of working in a recovery focused way and a good understanding of the principles and how they can be related to risk and needs assessment, planning, goal setting and reviewing with young people
* Experience of working with young people to develop life skills and support their involvement in meaningful activities.
* Knowledge of welfare benefits for under 21's, rents and service charges.
Candidates must confirm their interest as soon as possible, with interviews shortly after and the appointed candidate expected to start as soon as possible.
In order to register with Central Recruitment Services for temporary agency work, candidates must meet the following criteria:
* Current valid right to work in the UK
* Minimum 12 months’ of paid experience in a front line social care role within the last 3 years* (unless recruitment criteria states otherwise)
* A fully enhanced DBS registered on the DBS update service or willingness to apply for one through Central (at a cost of £50)
* Employment or education history to cover the last 5 years which can be verified through the referencing process
How to apply:
If you feel that you fully meet the above outlined criteria for this role and would like apply for this post, please forward your CV for consideration.
*Please note the outlined experience is the 'minimum' first stage criteria, and we will therefore be unable to consider your application unless you are able to demonstrate a relevant work history in line with this position