Job description
This is an innovative multiagency project aimed at supporting those most complex in society to access services and accommodation. It also entails intensive support of service users across Belfast to reduce harm and engage in a wide range of supports. The pilot project is overseen by a statutory and voluntary sector partnership and a Multiagency Steering Group. Job Purpose: To ensure effective case management for a caseload of approx.10 highly complex and entrenched individuals who experience multiple connected and dependent challenges, usually including homeless/unstable housing, problematic drug use, mental ill health, offending behaviour, poor physical health, often underpinned by trauma. The primary role of the post holder will be to act as a trusted key worker and to ensure effective coordination of a wrap around support plan for each client which will have been developed through the Belfast Complex Lives Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT) process. You will work as part of a Team of support workers to deliver specialist intervention to identified service users. The post holder must ensure they work within Extern’s vision, mission and values.
Responsibilities
* Intensive service user case work 10 cases per annum.
* Deliver information to key stakeholders on key topics.
* Ensure effective ongoing case management and relationship building with clients, and those broader agencies/services supporting them.
* Deliver a pragmatic service using assertive outreach to engage with clients in their preferred environment, within the context of risk management.
* Use a trauma-informed approach during all client interventions, and act as an advocate to promote access to services.
* Complete the triage, initial assessment and action planning process with the aim of supporting clients to access and maintain accommodation, reduce risk and connect with community support.
* Liaise with Belfast Complex Lives Multidisciplinary Team partners and other agencies to secure support for clients, and developing and delivering holistic, dynamic and responsive action plans.
* Commitment to delivery effective, quality service provision which is focused on the rights of individual clients.
* Work flexibly with each client to minimize disengagement - some evening and weekend work will be required.
* Attend interagency meetings as required to develop effective care pathways for service users, and liaise widely with statutory and voluntary agencies to promote best outcomes for clients.
* Ensure the service meets Complex Lives/NISCC/Extern quality standards/codes of practice/best practice and promote continuous improvement.
* Ensure service meets Complex Lives/NISCC/Extern quality standards/codes of practice/best practice and promote continuous improvement. Ensure service delivery adheres to relevant consent and confidentiality requirements, GDPR and Extern’s values.
* Work with the manager to achieve operational targets and implement and monitor any improvement activities to ensure successful outcomes.
* Effectively manage any disclosures using Safeguarding policy and procedures, ensuring all relevant information is communicated clearly with clients and appropriate agencies.
* Promote and develop service user involvement in service delivery in line with PHA SLA guidelines.
* Assist in the development of service user risk assessments and corresponding risk management planning, reviewing and amending as and when required. Follow all protocols and procedures contained within Extern Lone Worker Policy.
* Assess lone worker risks before client outreach sessions. Communicate effectively with colleagues and line manager where lone worker risk is identified.
* Consistently use lone worker mitigations including Peoplesafe, outlook calendar, joint visits in accordance with organizational policy. Be responsible for own practice ensuring compliance with the Northern Ireland Social Care Council (NISCC) Codes.
* Take timely action to inform Line Manager Designated Safeguarding Officer of child or adult safeguarding concerns and adhere to appropriate strategies for recording/reporting such incidents in line with organisational and legislative requirement.
* Use Extern’s escalation procedure and on call system according to organisational procedures including significant incident reporting. Follow organisational and legislative directives relating to GDPR.
* Report any concerns about service users issues/staffing issues in a professional manner and seek support through supervision, reporting concerns policy, and liaison with line manager.
* Present as a professional in all forms of internal and external communication Effective multi-agency and multi-disciplinary partnership working is a key function of this role.
* Attend and participate in internal and external meetings as required and act as an advocate for service users where consent has been provided to do so.
* Engage in specific Complex Lives multi-agency/multi-disciplinary fora as advised by line manager.
* Develop and maintain appropriate professional relationships with services users, colleagues, professionals and sector partners. Effectively implement appropriate professional boundaries with all clients.
* When required, liaise with appropriate relatives within boundaries of consent and confidentiality. Ensure all documentation and service user records are completed to a professional standard, using Extern’s recording systems and client management.
* Work collaboratively with colleagues across the health and social care sector to improve outcomes for clients.
* With permission from line manager, access training relevant to your role with the aim of developing your skills and knowledge to best support the client group.
* Actively promote a positive and collaborative ethos within the wider team. Actively promote personal wellbeing Support volunteers and provide advice guidance as appropriate.
* Complete all induction processes and mandatory organisational training within the first 6 months of employment.
* Participate in regular supervision sessions as per NISCC/Extern policy and responsibility for requesting additional supervision as required.
* Attendance at all training sessions must be approved by line manager or senior manager.
* Assist in training service users and others in low threshold harm reduction related areas i.e. overdose prevention, naloxone use, detoxification.
* Maintain knowledge of legislative changes, research, training and new developments relevant to own area of work to promote best practice.
* Ensure a safe working environment for service users, fellow staff and stakeholders including identification, assessment, management and minimisation of risk.
* Ensure that the project and practice meet health and safety requirements and that you are aware of, and operate in line with, relevant policies and procedures.
* Ensure use of Extern’s Escalation procedure and On Call system in accordance with Organisational and Service procedure.
* Contribute to the continued development of the project and Directorate, maintaining all current funding, and proactively seeking new avenues of potential financial support.
* Assist with, and where required/appropriate make, applications to appropriate funding bodies/ fundraising.
* Ensure the promotion and management of continuous quality assurance and improvement within the project in conjunction with Project Manager.
* Assist in the implementation and development of a volunteer programme to enhance service provision and to broaden the scope of current service delivery, in conjunction with the Project Manager.
* Assist the Project Manager as appropriate and directed. Undertake other duties and responsibilities as the post requires.
* Develop networks and pathways to support service users.
* Keep accurate case files and statistics.
* Attend Complex Lives MDT case meetings.
* Stakeholder Engagement & Service User Involvement.
* Monitoring and Evaluation of Service Components and Service Overall.
* Organise key worker sessions with clients based on need using principles of solution- focused and harm reduction approaches.
* Contribute to commissioner reports as requested by line manager.
Skills and Qualifications
Essential Skills
* Minimum of a Level 3 Qualification (as set out in the RQF Framework) in a relevant field/subject i.e. Social Care or equivalent. OR
* In the absence of the qualification requirement, 2 years recent, relevant experience of working with complex cases (experience can be from paid/unpaid employment, voluntary work, Student placement).
* 6 months substantial experience of working with complex cases (experience can be from paid/unpaid employment, voluntary work, Student placement).
* Demonstrate excellent communication skills, networking abilities a proven record of interagency working within a health and social care setting.
* Demonstrate working experience of developing and delivering training, education and awareness programmes to community and /or voluntary organisations.
* Full driving licence valid for use in UK and Ireland and access to use of a car, with appropriate business insurance, in order to provide transport to Service Users note relevant business insurance will be required on commencement of employment.
* Ability to use I.T. systems Microsoft Word, Excel, email and input information to a service user data base.
* Be registered or willing to register with NISCC within 3 months of commencement of employment (you will be required to provide evidence of NISCC registration).
Desirable Skills
* Knowledge and experience of trauma informed practice.
* Experience of Volunteer Management and Development.
Further Information
For full list of responsibilities, essential & desirable skills, please see Job Description/Personnel Specification on employer's website by following the Apply Direct button.