Support Worker

As well as our existing contracts, we expect to launch a number of new projects in 2021 and so are looking for people who can commit to full or part time hours (3 days per week) for three months (and possibly longer) as well as bank staff.

Support Worker Responsibilities:

As we are looking for bank staff as well as those who can make a firmer commitment to part-time or full-time hours, this is an ideal opportunity for anyone studying, with caring responsibilities or who already has a part-time job and we would welcome a discussion on how this work could fit around the other commitments in your life. As well as offering flexible working from the start of your employment, our staff benefits include access to mental and emotional health support via our partner agencies and opportunities to further develop your skills, including by our own excellent in-house training. Our culture is open and we encourage everyone to contribute to the direction of the organisation. Successful candidates will have to undertake a DBS check.

Support Worker Requirements:

To be considered for this role, you must be qualified in Information Advice & Guidance (IAG) to level 3 or have an equivalent qualification or have at least one year’s experience of IAG in a role supporting / mentoring clients to develop a plan to improve their situations. You should be a great communicator with a naturally coaching style and the ability to provide a service that is welcoming to all. You will have insight into the needs of vulnerable people from diverse backgrounds and understand the need for confidentiality when working with personal information.

You must be a competent user of IT, including email and using the Internet, as well an organised administrator. It is absolutely essential that you share our values. It would be helpful if you have an understanding of discrimination and equality and diversity issues, including those not set out in law such as the ‘poverty premium’. An understanding of housing rights would also be an advantage..

The ability to speak Arabic, Bengali, French, Gujurati, Polish, Punjabi, Romanian or the language of another group that is affected by financial and digital exclusion would be an advantage.

About Clean Slate Training & Employment CIC :

Clean Slate is an exciting and innovative social enterprise working towards a world where everyone can provide for themselves and their families, where society addresses everyone’s needs and where it does not cost more to be poor. We believe in fair opportunity for all so anyone willing and able can access employment. We enable people to improve their financial wellbeing, supporting them to access the help they need to manage their money well and find work. Clean Slate, in partnership with Quids In! magazine, is re-writing the rulebook on helping low income households to become better off.

Clean Slate is expanding. We are looking for Support Workers to join our team to support us in delivering remote services for people who are struggling with their finances: the risk of debt, rent arrears and ultimately even homelessness. You will make contact with new referrals by phone and email and provide information, support and guidance, including signposting them to specialist advice and regulated bodies. You will help people to use digital tools to be better off. You will support clients to build their skills, take control of their finances and find employment. You will work with partner agencies and statutory bodies in the local area and will assist us with the money skills and employment workshops and training run by our tutors.

Location: London

Salary: £25,650 per year including London Weighting, £22,500 per year for applicants based outside London, Pro rata for part-time hours

Type: Full Time, Part Time and Bank Staff, 3 months Fixed Term Contract

You may have experience of the following: Support Worker, Care Staff, Residential Care Worker, Challenging Behaviour, Social Care Worker, Community Services, Care Assistant, Healthcare Assistant etc.

Ref: 96372

About The Role

We are looking for a Support Worker to join our North Somerset team, working with clients in the Weston-super-Mare area. Are you prepared to go the extra mile to ensure a positive outcome for your clients? If you are, then we want to hear from you.

You will be working with people with low support needs age 18-30 years old who are impacted or threatened by homelessness. This could include single people, pregnant or small families. The support will be tenancy sustainment and will help the client to achieve their goals and aspirations and move on with skills to be independent in managing on their own. We are very proud of our services and helping clients is at the heart of everything we do.

You work closely with other agencies around specific needs including mental health and DV, private letting agents and landlords and/or others.

You will be helping clients to manage their tenancy including housing management, working with benefits (housing benefits, universal credits, PIP and other), budgeting and exploring options around education, training and employment. You will write support plans and assess risk, and will be engaging with other professionals, working towards moving your clients on from temporary accommodation.

This can be a challenging role at times as you will be working with clients who have a range of difficult and challenging issues / behaviours but if you are motivated to make a positive contribution to the lives of our clients and have a “can do” approach to your work, it is an incredibly rewarding role. Experience in a similar role would be great, but it is more important to have a passion for helping people in the local community.

Due to the nature of this role, a full valid driving licence and access to a suitable vehicle is essential.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of vulnerable groups and expect all colleagues to share this commitment. Appointment to the post will be subject to a satisfactory enhanced check via the Disclosure and Barring Service.

About The Candidate

To be considered for this role you will:

Essential:

• Have an understanding or experience, of issues surrounding homelessness and good awareness of associated risks this may bring such as alcohol and substance misuse, mental health, self-harm, offending behaviour.
• Have understanding or experience of debt management and of welfare and housing benefits.
• Be resilient with the ability to be open and responsive to the challenging needs of clients and commissioners of the service.
• Be able to take ownership and responsibility for a caseload, motivate and engage clients using the service and their pathway to independence.
• Be able communicate on different levels both verbally and in writing and  be able to ‘think on the spot’ when reacting to difficult situations.
• Be committed to LiveWest values and bring enthusiasm and willingness within all aspects of the role and service.
• Have good IT skills, excellent interpersonal skills.

Desirable:

• Have empathy and understanding of the needs of clients who are experiencing homelessness and the barriers they face.
• Be able to build network effectively to source accommodation options and opportunities for clients.
• Have an understanding, or experience, of lone working.
• Understand the impact of trauma and can show us you have experience of or the ability to provide high-quality support whilst managing challenging situations.
• Understand the importance of working within equal opportunities, safeguarding and confidentiality guidelines.

The most important part of this role is to have pride in your work and have a positive attitude, a proactive approach and the confidence to support a diverse range of people.  You will be able to balance your passion and commitment with good organisational skills, and the ability to maintain appropriate boundaries.

In return, we provide a generous entitlement to paid holiday increasing with length of service, a pension scheme, a healthcare cash back plan, and great opportunities and support to develop your career.

About The Company

At LiveWest, we believe in a home for everyone.  We own and manage over 37,000 homes across the South West, from Cornwall to Gloucestershire.
 
We take the time to listen to, understand and learn from our customers.  We focus on thriving as a business and employer, so we can deliver more homes and even better services.

We are an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all colleagues. For further information about our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion policy, please visit our website.