Borough of culture volunteering coordinator jobs

JOB PURPOSE

This role sits within The Passage Housing Needs Service (HNS) team. It will provide brief interventions to support individuals who have been placed into accommodation by the HNS team to settle into and sustain their tenancies. The post holder will work holistically to assist individuals to address issues that are impacting on their ability to sustain their accommodation on a time limited basis and will link them into services in their local areas for ongoing support in order for them to gain independence and integrate into their new communities.

MAIN TASKS

• To provide support to individuals who are moving into their new private rented sector accommodation where appropriate and needed. This can include setting up utilities, council tax among other things.
• To support individuals accommodated by the HNS team, in a brief solution focused manner, to find solutions to their housing, benefits, health and other issues when they arise, referring clients to support services, liaising with these, and following up in a timely manner.
• To establish and develop positive and constructive working relationships with a range of services and agencies across London boroughs that can provide support to our clients ensuring the best possible outcomes for them.
• To draw up psychologically informed action plans for clients ensuring they are person centered and taking into consideration the clients’ views.
• Support HNS Workers to complete exit questionnaires to gather feedback and promote co production with the individuals the team supports.
• To ensure that any health and safety and safeguarding concerns are reported appropriately using the correct systems.
• To assess any risk to clients, the environment and staff, record and communicate any risks identified using appropriate channels in the Passage.
• To ensure accurate and timely record keeping using the Inform database as well as client files and ensure all record keeping and information sharing is kept securely in line with Data protection.

GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• In conjunction with your Line Manager to continuously develop the role to ensure that all tasks are being undertaken in an effective and appropriate manner which meets the strategic aims and objectives of The Passage.
• To participate in internal/external meetings as required, including Reflective Practice, and attend training events, conferences and other functions as necessary.
• Support The Passage Resource Centre operations by undertaking shifts as required.
• To participate in regular supervision and annual appraisal, and help in identifying your own job-related development and training needs.
• To ensure that all The Passage policies and procedures are being adhered to.
• To contribute to the effective implementation of The Passage’s Diversity and Equality Policy as it affects both The Passage and its work with vulnerable adults.
• To at all times undertake your role in a professional manner maintaining a high quality standard of work, and to always work in accordance with the aims, values and ethos of The Passage1. 
• Undertake any other duties that may be required which are commensurate with the role.

EXPERIENCE 

E1 Experience of providing tenancy support to vulnerable individuals.

E2 Experience of working with and advocating for vulnerable people who present with complex support needs in a person centered and psychologically informed manner.

E3 Experience of working collaboratively with voluntary and statutory agencies to deliver a service.

E4 Experience of establishing relationships and working with a wide range of stakeholders and liaising with support agencies.

E5 Experience of obtaining grants, local support payments and benefit payments

E6 Experience of record keeping using databases 

E7 Experience of managing conflicting priorities 

KNOWLEDGE

K1  Knowledge of how to work with clients within a psychologically informed framework

K2 Knowledge of the issues which contribute to homelessness and challenges with maintaining a tenancy

K3 Knowledge of risk and incident management in a psychologically informed manner

K4 Knowledge of welfare rights and how they impact on our client group

K5 Knowledge of resources, and other services supporting vulnerable people, and how to access them to obtain a positive outcome for our clients 

This role sits within our Connecting Communities service, which is an element of the larger Mental Health and Wellbeing Service in Tower Hamlets. The post holder will be committed to supporting our clients through their recovery and developing greater resilience and wellbeing. This role will offer a personalised approach to accessing welfare and housing-related advice and information, through casework, workshops and advice surgeries.

What you’ll do 

• Provide welfare benefits and housing advice to support people with mental health challenges to live independently in the community.
• Help clients understand and resolve issues related to welfare benefits and ensure they receive their correct entitlements.
• Run workshops, groups, and advice surgeries on welfare benefits and related topics, such as money management.
• Work collaboratively with the Connecting Communities team, mental health services, housing associations, and other providers to support welfare benefits enquiries, referrals, and training needs.