Job Description
Job Title:Supported Lodgings Project Worker
Location: Office base at YMCA WesternGateway, West Bromwich, B70 9LG, but working at other locations throughout theBlack Country may be required.
Responsible to: Supported Lodgings Manager
WorkingHours: 22.5 hours per week.The nature of the job will involveflexible working hours that may include working on some evenings and weekendsand being on-call.
Remuneration: £13.46 per hour
Project:
YMCA Open Door offers vulnerable young people safe andenabling environment with Host Families who live in the BlackCountry.
Without a safe homeand the guidance of caring, responsible adults, many young people lose theirway. The Open Door Project provides young people with the stability they needto continue with their education and transition into responsible adults.
YMCA BCG Background:
YMCA Black Country Group (YMCA BCG) is the branchof the YMCA global movement in the Black Country. YMCA BCG operatescharitable companies & associated trading subsidiaries in the Black Countryboroughs and South Staffordshire area. The combined turnover of the group is inexcess of £6M, delivering a wide range of community services includingsupported housing, youth work, childcare and family support, drug and alcoholcounselling, skills and employment training, health and well-being services. YMCA BCG employs over 200 staff and also works with around 50 volunteers andvoluntary trustees.
JobRole:
Thepost 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.
* The post holder will also assist in the publicity and administration of the scheme and help deliver the Host Preparation Course as well as providing cover when necessary for other roles within the team.
Duties:
1. Receive referrals and risk assessments for homeless youngpeople.
2. Interview Young People referred for Supported Lodgings.
3. Assess the suitability of referred young people throughRisk & Needs Assessment and if necessary, put a risk management plan inplace.
4. Match and place successful referrals with appropriateHost households.
5. If required, liaise with volunteer Befrienders/Drivers/otherstaff to ensure the smooth running of Nightstop provision.
6. Assist in the development of independent living skillsby ensuring the delivery of life skills such as budgeting, personal hygiene, cookingetc. on a needs basis.
7. Assist young people in completing any benefit forms andensure appropriate identification and information is provided for the claims onan ongoing basis. Educate scheme usersas to the importance of paying the self-rent element of the weekly charge ifthis is not happening on a regular basis.
8. Support and encourage external professionals who aresupporting the young person as part of a planned programme.
9. Help young people to prepare physically and emotionallyfor move on and discuss financial implications.
10. Support and supervise Hosts in the delivery ofSupported Lodgings and Nightstop.
11. Keep thorough and accurate records relating toplacements. Maintain confidentiality of all records and information relating toclients in accordance with YMCA Black Country Group Confidentiality Policy.
12. Support the young people in their understanding of theYMCAs Licence Agreement and Placement Agreement, in order to help themmaintain their accommodation.
13. Develop service by contacting and promoting to potentialreferrers, attending meetings and delivering presentations.
14. On a rota basis provide Out of Hours support for theSupported Lodgings & Nightstop services.
15. Provide cover for the Nightstop service during officehours, as and when required.
Other
1. With other staff, ensure that all services are providedand maintained to a high standard.
2. Attend supervision, appraisals and training asrequested, adopting a continuous professional development approach to learning.
3. Participate fully as a member of the staff team, and inthat regard to meet regularly with other team members, contributingpro-actively to the on-going development of other individuals and the project.
4. Be flexible to the changing needs of YMCA Black CountryGroup and its service users.
5. Abide at all times by YMCA Black Country Groupspolicies and procedures.
6. Promote the aims and purpose of the YMCA.
7. In addition to the job set out in this job descriptionthe post holder may, from time to time, be required to undertake additional orother duties as necessary within his or her capabilities and status to meet theneeds of YMCA Black Country Group.
Person Specification
Supported Lodgings Project Worker
Experience of
Essential
Desirable
Working with and identifying the needs of vulnerable young people.
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Maintaining confidentiality with client information.
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Skills
Good analytical skills in order to help resolve any complaints, concerns and queries of young people, Hosts and other agencies.
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Ability to maintain professional boundaries with young people and Hosts.
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Ability to work both within a team framework and unsupervised as necessary.
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Judgemental skills in order to develop a trusting relationship with young people and Hosts.
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English and IT skills sufficient to write reports and to create and maintain accurate records.
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Communication skills sufficient to communicate effectively electronically, verbally, in writing and via telephone with young people, Hosts, colleagues and other professionals.
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Excellent interpersonal skills in order to develop a strong relationship with young people and deal with challenging behaviour.
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Qualifications
NVQ Level 4 in Housing related qualification or Information, Advice & Guidance.
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Qualified to NVQ Level 3 in person based training or equivalent.
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Knowledge
Knowledge of substance misuse, mental health, offending, sexual exploitation and other issues faced by vulnerable young people.
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Knowledge of the pathways available to move residents on towards resettlement.
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Knowledge of legislation effecting Care Leavers and vulnerable young people, particularly in relation to housing.
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General
Ability to work flexible hours.
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Maintain and observe conditions of health and safety.
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The ability to work in a non-judgemental way.
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Be committed to the YMCAs Equality and Diversity Policy.
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Willingness to develop within the job and undergo relevant training
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Ability to respect the Christian Ethos of the YMCA and uphold its values.
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The ability to travel between different YMCA BCG sites.
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Current first aid qualification.
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THE POST HOLDER MUST AGREE TO AUTHORISE A FULL CRIMINAL RECORDS BUREAU CHECK.
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