Our client is recruiting a Project Worker (Complex Needs), to work at a service in the Westminster area. The service is a 68 bed men's hostel providing 24/7 specialist support to clients with a variety of support needs including substance use, mental health difficulties, experience of rough sleeping and criminal justice contact.
* Monday – Friday, 37.5 hours per week
* Shifts: Early- 08:00 - 16:00 and Late- 13:00-21:00 (rotating weekly between early and late shifts)
* Temporary: approx. 3 months
* £17.14 per hour (£15.29 per hour, with £1.85 holiday pay)
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
* Hold a caseload of up to 10 key clients and conduct regular key working sessions resulting in Support Plans that are person-centred, trauma informed and enable progression
* Complete comprehensive risk and needs assessments
* Conduct skilled and sensitive support and safety plans with people who may be ambivalent about taking-up support and who may have had difficult experiences in the past, responding in a psychologically informed way to the challenges posed by complex needs in a residential setting
* Respond to all referrals within agreed timescales
* Make use of the service cluster by ensuring that residents who are readying/willing to move to step down are able to do so without the creation of unnecessary barriers
* Assist in the delivery, evaluation and development of the in-house recovery programme in partnership with the Recovery and Opportunities Coordinator
* Enable residents and other staff to identify the psychosocial factors that impact the use of coping mechanisms such as hospital presentations, substance use, aggression/conflict which may be no longer be helpful
* Work with residents to maximise benefit entitlements and secure project income through efficient rent collection and the minimisation of arrears and void loss
* Support individuals to address and/or challenge benefits sanctions/suspensions, including where benefits have not been awarded.
* Work with those who have no recourse to public funds (NRPF) to secure an income and/or access services to meet their basic needs and support the development of independent budgeting skills where appropriate through the use of information and advice giving as well as looking at practical skills
* Ensure that all voids are prepared to an acceptable standard and re-let in a timely fashion in order to maximise income receivable from rents and charges
* Monitor, record, report and follow up all maintenance issues within the scheme
* Participate in housing management procedures, such as room checks, locality checks and Health and Safety checks
WHAT WE’RE LOOKING FOR:
* Experience of working with people who have experienced or been threatened with homelessness including those who live in temporary or insecure accommodation
* Case/key working experience, including working with people who have complex or troubling experiences and/or behaviours
* Ability to produce high quality, personalised support and safety plans that are reflective of the clients you are working with
* An understanding of how trauma and adversity have the potential to create re-occurring incidences of multiple disadvantage
* An awareness of the legislation that governs mental health services and the application of such legislation
* An understanding of the multiple issues that can lead to homelessness and how such experiences can impact on people's willingness to then engage with services
* Ability to navigate across various specialties whilst working with multi-agency professionals, to create support and safety plans for clients
* Ability to spend time getting to know people and understand them, particularly when it seems that they are disinterested.
* Strong I.T skills including the use of Microsoft Office programmes and database recording systems
FURTHER REQUIREMENTS:
In order to register with Central Recruitment Services for temporary agency work, candidates must meet the following criteria:
* Current valid right to work in the UK
* Minimum 12 months’ of paid experience in a front line social care role within the last 3 years* (unless recruitment criteria states otherwise)
* A fully enhanced DBS either registered on the DBS update service or issued within the last 12 months, or willingness to apply for one through Central (at a cost of £60)
* Employment or education history to cover the last 5 years which can be verified through the referencing process
HOW TO APPLY:
If you feel that you fully meet the above outlined criteria for this role and would like apply for this post, please forward your CV for consideration.
*Please note the outlined experience is the 'minimum' first stage criteria, and we will therefore be unable to consider your application unless you are able to demonstrate a relevant work history in line with this position
Salary description
£17.14 - £17.14 per hour