FULL TIME – 37hrs
Monday - Thursday 09:00 - 17:00
Friday 09:00 - 16:30
TWO1163708 – Housing First Worker
Contractual requirement to partake in Bi Monthly street counts and Outreach shifts on a rota basis
This is a fantastic opportunity to support a cohort of 18 - 25 yr olds that have complex, co-occurring needs to gain their first home and support them to maintain a tenancy.
The right candidate will have a background of support with clients in a mainstream setting. A knowledge of the UK benefit system is essential although further training will be given.
This role is predominantly lone working so the right candidate will be confident to work with clients and build relationships on a 1-1 basis.
To be part of a team that supports our clients, keeping them safe and helping them achieve their goals. Housing First offers people their own home and gives them intensive support in line with the Housing First principles.
MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES
1. To assess the needs of each client, helping to develop their individual support plan to achieve their outcomes using the housing first principles
2. To produce and regularly review comprehensive client-based risk assessments
3. To manage a personal caseload of clients on a one-to-one basis
4. To provide intensive support to clients to manage and maintain their accommodation or achieve outcomes defined by the service specification
5. To mediate and or negotiate with existing housing providers to ideally prevent homelessness
6. To engage with local authorities, health providers and other agencies, creating and maintaining constructive working relationships to maximise the opportunities available to clients
7. To liaise with colleges, training agencies, employers to help clients gain access to education, find work or maintain their benefit entitlement
8. To lead on client activities to help them gain practical skills such as cooking and housework, health and wellbeing
9. To support clients by providing advice on housing, welfare benefits, rent deposits and household goods via a variety of schemes
10. To challenge harmful behaviours and play an active role in encouraging people to come inside from the street, or to play an active part in sustaining their accommodation
11. To carry out housing management duties such as collecting service charges at various locations
12. To carry out drop-in sessions at designated locations
13. To support clients move on to suitable accommodation options and help with the practicalities of moving to new accommodation such as contacting energy suppliers
14. To support clients in trauma informed and psychologically informed ways
15. To adhere to safeguarding responsibilities, following our safeguarding policy and procedure
16. To help maintain health and safety, ensuring clients, visitors and buildings are safe in accordance with Health and Safety regulations, policy and procedures
17. To provide basic first aid assistance until help arrives (full training is provided)
18. To work confidently and efficiently when lone working
19. To maintain accurate records on our client management system and ensure these are stored in line with GDPR
20. To maintain confidentiality
21. To represent the organisation in a professional manner
22. Any other reasonable duties required in the interest of the organisation
ROLE REQUIREMENTS
23. 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.
24. This role will require you to work with clients on a one-to-one basis
25. This role will require you to work flexibly with some early morning and evenings necessary
26. This role will require you to lone work
27. This role will require a full drivers’ licence and access to a vehicle
ESSENTIAL CRITERIA
28. Previous experience working as a support worker and managing a caseload of clients
29. Strong communication skills, both verbal and written
30. Clear verbal and written English
31. Good keyboard skills for data inputting
32. Good working knowledge of Microsoft Outlook, Excel and Word
33. Confident and assertive manner
34. Ability to self-motivate as you will work on your own
35. Effective team working
36. Ability to respond calmly to crisis
37. Deal promptly with and effectively react to challenging situations
38. Have an interest and genuine concern for homelessness and related issues
DESIRABLE CRITERIA
39. Understanding of the complex support needs of people experiencing homelessness or those with complex needs
40. Knowledge or experience of the Housing First model would be beneficial
41. Knowledge of voluntary and statutory agencies, housing regulations and the benefits system
42. Understanding of risk assessment and person-centred, outcomes-based delivery