Overview
Supported Lodgings Project Worker – YMCA Black Country Group
Location: Office base at YMCA WesternGateway, West Bromwich, B70 9LG; may work at other locations throughout the Black Country. Responsible to: Supported Lodgings Manager. Working hours: 22.5 hours per week. Flexible hours may include evenings and weekends and being on-call. Remuneration: £13.46 per hour.
Project
YMCA Open Door offers vulnerable young people a safe and enabling environment with Host Families who live in the Black Country. Without a safe home and the guidance of caring, responsible adults, many young people lose their way. The Open Door Project provides young people with the stability they need to continue with their education and transition into responsible adults.
YMCA BCG Background
YMCA Black Country Group (YMCA BCG) is the branch of the YMCA global movement in the Black Country. YMCA BCG operates charitable companies and associated trading subsidiaries in the Black Country boroughs and South Staffordshire area. The combined turnover of the group is in excess of £6M, delivering a wide range of community services including supported housing, youth work, childcare and family support, drug and alcohol counselling, skills and employment training, health and well-being services. YMCA BCG employs over 200 staff and works with around 50 volunteers and voluntary trustees.
Job Role
The post holder will be responsible for:
* Interviewing Supported Lodgings applicants, introducing them to the Host family and providing ongoing support for both the Young Person and the Host family, holding a caseload of approximately 15 placements.
* Maintaining and building excellent professional relationships with referring agencies.
* Assisting in the publicity and administration of the scheme; helping deliver the Host Preparation Course; and providing cover when necessary for other roles within the team.
Duties
* Receive referrals and risk assessments for homeless young people.
* Interview Young People referred for Supported Lodgings.
* Assess the suitability of referred young people through Risk & Needs Assessment and, if necessary, put a risk management plan in place.
* Match and place successful referrals with appropriate Host households.
* If required, liaise with volunteer Befrienders/Drivers/other staff to ensure the smooth running of Nightstop provision.
* Assist in the development of independent living skills by delivering life skills such as budgeting, personal hygiene, cooking, etc. on a needs basis.
* Assist young people in completing any benefit forms and ensure appropriate identification and information is provided for the claims on an ongoing basis. Educate scheme users as to the importance of paying the self-rent element of the weekly charge if this is not happening regularly.
* Support and encourage external professionals who are supporting the young person as part of a planned programme.
* Help young people to prepare physically and emotionally for move on and discuss financial implications.
* Support and supervise Hosts in the delivery of Supported Lodgings and Nightstop.
* Keep thorough and accurate records relating to placements. Maintain confidentiality of all records and information relating to clients in accordance with YMCA Black Country Group Confidentiality Policy.
* Support the young people in their understanding of the YMCA Licence Agreement and Placement Agreement to help them maintain their accommodation.
* Develop the service by contacting and promoting to potential referrers, attending meetings and delivering presentations.
* On a rota basis provide Out of Hours support for the Supported Lodgings & Nightstop services.
* Provide cover for the Nightstop service during office hours, as and when required.
Other
* With other staff, ensure that all services are provided and maintained to a high standard.
* Attend supervision, appraisals and training as requested, adopting a continuous professional development approach.
* Participate fully as a member of the staff team and meet regularly with other team members, contributing to the ongoing development of the project.
* Be flexible to the changing needs of YMCA Black Country Group and its service users.
* Abide at all times by YMCA Black Country Group policies and procedures.
* Promote the aims and purpose of the YMCA.
* The post holder may be required to undertake additional or other duties as necessary within capabilities to meet the needs of YMCA Black Country Group.
Person Specification
Essential
Experience of working with and identifying the needs of vulnerable young people; Maintaining confidentiality with client information.
Skills
* Good analytical skills to help resolve complaints, concerns and queries of young people, Hosts and other agencies.
* Ability to maintain professional boundaries with young people and Hosts.
* Ability to work within a team and, when necessary, unsupervised.
* Judgement to develop a trusting relationship with young people and Hosts.
* English and IT skills to write reports and maintain accurate records; effective communication skills across electronic, verbal, written and telephone channels.
* Excellent interpersonal skills to develop strong relationships with young people and deal with challenging behaviour.
Qualifications
NVQ Level 4 in a Housing related qualification or Information, Advice & Guidance. NVQ Level 3 in person-based training or equivalent.
Knowledge
* Knowledge of substance misuse, mental health, offending, sexual exploitation and other issues faced by vulnerable young people.
* Knowledge of pathways available to move residents on towards resettlement.
* Knowledge of legislation affecting Care Leavers and vulnerable young people, particularly in relation to housing.
General
* Ability to work flexible hours and maintain health and safety.
* Ability to work in a non-judgemental way.
* Commitment to the YMCA Equality and Diversity Policy.
* Willingness to develop within the job and undertake relevant training.
* Respect the Christian Ethos of the YMCA and uphold its values.
* Ability to travel between different YMCA BCG sites.
* Current first aid qualification.
Other
Criminal Records Check: The post holder must agree to authorise a full Criminal Records Bureau check.
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