231 Volunteer advocate volunteer jobs

Job Description

The post holder will be responsible for the following:

· Providing a specialist advice and advocacy service to the homeless guests of our services, which include partner day centres and night shelters over the winter season

· Employing creative thinking and practices to ensure that guests are supported and motivated to achieve their goals

· Attending appointments with guests occasionally when needed

· Referring and signposting guests to accommodation providers, health services and other relevant internal and external support services, as necessary

· Maintaining good communication with the Managers of our partnered Drop-in Centres, Glass Door colleagues and local statutory and non-statutory services

· Attending meetings with the casework team, external service providers and partner organisations when required

· Collating statistics and outcome measurements of the casework service for both internal and external use

· Maintaining a well-organised and easily accessible administration system for the casework programme in line with relevant legislation (e.g. GDPR)

· Managing a small casework budget

· Undertaking any other duties to aid the good running of the project, as required by the charity

Person Specification

Essential

· At least one year experience of working one-on-one with -- and assessing the needs of -- homeless people or similar disadvantaged client groups

· Empathetic attitude to homeless and vulnerably-housed people

· Up-to-date knowledge of the welfare issues and legislation affecting homeless people

· Knowledge of relevant support services available to homeless people, particularly in West London

· Confident approach to, and experience of, dealing with challenging behaviour

· Ability to maintain good relationships with colleagues and external service providers

· Highly organised with strong time-management skills

· Ability to keep clear and up-to-date case records

· Ability to work independently and take the initiative to make important decisions

· Flexible and supportive team member with excellent communication skills

· Ability to adhere to and implement Health & Safety, HR and operational policies

· Understanding of and commitment to Equal Opportunities

· For night shelter caseworkers, willingness to work a minimum of one evening per week

Desirable

· Ability to speak Polish, Romanian or other Eastern European languages

· Experience of working alongside volunteers