POST: Support Worker – Direct Access and Move on Community

 

OBJECTIVES:

· Work as part of a weekly rota, often alone but also as an active participant of the wider Elim team and volunteers

· Maximise the success of the projects by providing high quality and cost-effective housing and support services

· Ensure the hostel and move on spaces provides safe, secure, pleasant, welcoming accommodation to clients and visitors

· Play a key role in creating and maintaining a positive, healthy, nurturing and supportive atmosphere in which clients can stabilise, flourish and reach their goals

· Induct, assess and support clients so they gain maximum benefit from living at in a direct access and, where possible, progress towards more permanent and appropriate accommodation

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Accept and assess referrals including, where appropriate, liaison with referring agencies and other support agencies. Sign up and induct new clients into the project.

2. Record, store and share relevant information concerning applicants and clients using both manual and electronic systems and ensuring proper confidentiality is maintained.

3. Ensure client and visitor behaviour is in line with the relevant Occupancy Agreement and house rules, dealing appropriately but sensitively with any breaches.

4. To adhere to the policy around substances

5. Ensure rent and service charges are paid promptly including the monitoring and collection of arrears and liaison as required with benefits agencies.

6. Carry out Keyworker responsibilities so as to maximise support and meet current and future needs including carrying out risk assessments, assessing support requirements, providing support, identifying/liaising with support agencies, maintaining regular contact with clients, developing and monitoring action plans, assessing appropriateness for move-on accommodation, securing appropriate move-on opportunities etc.

7. Carry out some basic cooking and cleaning, encouraging clients to help where appropriate. Ensure empty rooms are clean and prepared for new clients. Encourage clients to adopt acceptable standards of personal hygiene/appearance and to keep rooms clean and tidy. Monitor health and safety and maintenance standards, reporting any areas of concern.

8. Actively participate in client/team meetings, external meetings, supervisions, training sessions and appraisals.

9. Deal appropriately and efficiently with incidents or emergencies, carrying out drills as required.

10. Organise and assist with appropriate recreational and social activities, in particular encouraging clients to get involved in activities at the Elim Connect Centre and on the farm itself as well as with other partners.

11. Perform all duties in accordance with the Employee Handbook, policies and procedures.

12. Carry out such other tasks as may, from time to time, be necessary when consistent with the nature of the post.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

REQUIREMENT

ESSENTIAL or DESIRABLE

Education / Qualifications:

GCSE C grade and above / NVQ Level 2

Qualification in Health & Social Care, housing management or similar

Work Experience / Skills:

• Some experience in working with individuals with complex needs

• To recognise, record & know how to assess risk in all areas of the work place

• Some experience in a related field such as supported housing, mental health, homelessness, substance misuse etc

• Experience of working with external agencies especially around mental health

• Knowledge of agencies providing support to clients with drug/alcohol issues, homelessness, mental health issues and other support needs.

• Team working skills and initiative to work alone.

• Good administration, report writing and IT skills

• Excellent communicator, orally and in writing, with people at all levels

• Highly motivated and displaying initiative and determination

• Experience in developing care/support interventions, completing needs assessments, support plans and client risk assessments

• Practical approach to time management and organisation

• Understanding of the welfare benefits system

• Ability to promote client independence through enhancement of their life and social skills.

• Full driving license and own transport

• Experience in handling sensitive and potentially volatile situations

Special Attributes (characteristics/qualities):

• Able to liaise effectively with a range of professionals / agencies

• Confident, professional and calm, even when under pressure

• Resilient and able to cope with multiple internal/external demands

• Sense of humour

Values:

Personal Integrity

Honesty; Openness; Reliability; Accountability; Confidentially

Outstanding Service to People

Honouring and empowering those we serve; Offering choice wherever possible; Enabling people to take control of their own lives

The Importance of Every Individual

Respect; Caring for people; Treating everyone as we would want to be treated; Equal opportunities; Valuing differences; Non-discriminatory; Non-judgemental; Non-exploitative; Person centred in approach

The Importance of Working Together

Supporting each other; Working as a team; Being flexible and creative when responding to needs; Recognising more is achieved in harmony than alone

Faith

Respecting and Understanding that the Elim Connect Centre is a Christian Charity with a Church at its hub

Professional Competence

Getting the basics rights; Earning a high regard in our field; Maximising delegation; Empowering and developing staff; Giving best value; Maintaining a quality service

APPLICATION INFORMATION

The application deadline is: June 18th 2023

Please apply using the Application Form downloadable from our website – click HERE

The completed ‘Application Form’ should be emailed as an attachment to:

tina@connect-centre.ork.uk with the following text entered exactly in the subject line:

Application for Dairy House Support Worker (DH20)

All applications should be submitted via email (if you are unable to submit your application electronically please contact us in advance to make another arrangement).

Application Deadline 18th June

Shortlisted candidates will be contacted on 19th June.

The interview dates week commencing 18th June.

The anticipated start date ASAP

Please note: We will endeavour to contact you, but if you have not heard from us within two weeks of the closing date, your application has not been successful on this occasion.