FULL TIME - up to 37hrs - Mon-Fri
The Day Centre is the heart of the homeless community in Southampton. We provide a safe space for up to 70 adults each day, who are experiencing homelessness, to access basic facilities such as food, clothes, showers, and laundry. The service also has a dedicated health care service on-site. We also provide accommodation for up to 10 clients.
Our aim is to support our clients to remain safe and maintain their mental and physical health; to ensure their immediate needs are met and to help clients find the right path for them to access support and long-term accommodation.
We have a close-knit, collaborative team that supports each other and our clients. If you’re looking for a fast paced, busy role, where you can make a real difference in the lives of those who you support, then this is the role for you!
JOB PURPOSE
Are you looking for a challenge where you are able to support the team to empower people every day to develop their skills and move towards independence? Do you enjoy working in an environment where every day is different to the next? Then this could be the role for you.
You will be working as part of a team at our Day Centre to support clients who are homeless or are in unstable accommodation.
You will love helping others, including clients and the staff team. Your positive attitude towards everyday tasks and towards others will help to contribute to a great working environment. You will have a calm and personable manner and be able to handle potentially difficult situations with support from the staff team.
MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES
* Provide a welcoming environment for rough sleepers and those facing homelessness or who are living in unstable accommodation
* Provide sound knowledge of local services; signpost and refer clients as their needs are identified
* Have a sound working knowledge of professional safeguarding responsibilities, raise any concerns with the day centre team without delay
* Maintain the day centre’s daily facilities including laundry and cleaning and gardening
* Provide practical support to clients in the Hub accommodation, including preparing rooms and welfare packs
* Manage donations efficiently
* Respond immediately to health and safety concerns, reporting to the day centre team
* Manage difficult situations with clients, ensuring that they feel listened too at all times
* Practice in a non-discriminative and person centred approach,
* Provide emotional support and remain resilient to high emotions, especially in times of conflict
* Recognising physiological needs of the clients
* Any other reasonable duties required in the interest of the organisation
ESSENTIAL CRITERIA FOR ROLE (Minimum requirements on appointment to this job)
Previous experience in this sector is not essential but you will be able to demonstrate a real passion for wanting to work with vulnerable people in the homeless sector. Our values will be aligned to your own ethics and ideals and you will be committed to changing the life of others for the better.
* Clear verbal and written English
* Polite, assertive manner, ability to self -motivate
* Passion for working in a client/customer facing role
* Knowledge of the benefits system and tenancy legislation
* Have an interest and genuine concern for homelessness and related issues
* Knowledge of voluntary and statutory agencies
* Flexible approach to what is required from the role
* This role will require an Enhanced with Barred List(s) disclosure and barring service check is a requirement for this role. This would be completed on appointment of the role.
We reserve the right to close our adverts early if a successful candidate is found, so please submit your application as soon as possible.