Housing First Support Worker

Do you want to support change in people’s lives? Would you like to help build something exceptional and transformative?

Connect Community Church are delighted to be in a position to recruit a Housing First Support Worker. (35hrs per week) You will be part of a dynamic team serving and supporting vulnerable adults across Somerset with a main office base in Wells. The individuals have multiple complex needs and have been homeless.

POST:                                               Housing First Support Worker

CONTRACT TYPE:                          Full-time 35hrs a week (Subject to funding reviews, annually) Job share considered.

SALARY:                                           £26,351.52 per annum

DEPARTMENT:                              Connect Centre – Housing First

LOCATION:                                     Based in Wells, serving the Somerset area, primarily the District of Mendip – Various locations.

BACKGROUND:                              Connect Community Church is part of the Foursquare Gospel Alliance, a Christian denomination to serve the spiritual, social, physical, mental and emotional needs of the community in an accessible way.

KEY OVERVIEW

Reporting to the Housing First Team Leader, the Housing First Support Worker is responsible for coordinating and providing a personalised, trauma informed support service to people with complex needs facing multiple exclusion in line with Housing First Principles.  The Housing First Support Worker will be responsible for coordinating and providing a person centred, strength-based support service to create long term sustainable tenancies by empowering customers, increasing independence, and maximising connectivity with the local community.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: 

• Valid driver's license and access to a car business purposes
• Please note the working pattern for this role is Monday to Friday, with occasional weekend work required 
• This post will include a 6mth probation period.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

1.      Delivering wrap-around intensive, trauma informed support to people with multiple and complex issues within their own independent tenancies in the community.

2.      Working with Housing First participants to help them articulate their goals and aspirations offering personalised support and promoting choice and wellbeing. Supporting Housing First participants to access community resources, to develop positive peer networks and meaningful leisure opportunities.

3.      Maintaining accurate up to date records on the Inform case management system of progress against individual support plans, safety plans and outcomes information.

4.      Regularly review the person-centred support plan to update, record and monitor progress of customer caseload.

5.      Develop, maintain and co-ordinate effective working relationships with external partners and agencies, promoting effective communication with Housing First residents. Ensuring Connected Housing First is widely known and promoted in Mendip and Somerset.

6.      Liaise with landlords to assist the person living in accommodation of their choice; including practical help with furniture; benefits advice and accompanied visits.

7.      With the agreement of Housing First participants, to liaise with other agencies to facilitate support including substance misuse and recovery, offending and criminal justice, mental health, Adult social care, debt, domestic abuse, welfare and housing benefits, employment and training.

8.      Promote, and actively encourage peer involvement within the service.

9.      Complete dynamic risk assessments and maintain own safety by following lone working procedures.

10.  Adhere to good practice safeguarding procedures with a positive risk-taking approach to ensure the wellbeing of vulnerable people.

11.  To identify barriers of accommodation and managing tenancies, providing support including practical help with benefits, budgeting, furniture, neighbour relations, and liaising with landlords.

12.  To contribute to regular reports on the service evaluation project as required.

13.  To participate in reflective practice to support and enhance wellbeing in the workplace and personal development.

14.  Record all petty cash and other expenditure of project monies in line with Connect Centre policy.

15.  Work within the Connect Centre Lone Working Policy and other Connect Centre Health and Safety Policies as appropriate at all times

There are many great reasons to join our team!

• 33 days annual leave pro rata
• Great opportunities and training included in the role.
• For all the fantastic and valuable work, you'll be doing makes you eligible for the Blue Light Card which offers amazing discounts on thousands of brands.
• A supportive culture where staff feedback is highly valued and regular supervisions with line managers are conducted