We're looking for a kind, compassionate and resilient Support Worker to join our Mental Health service in Islington.

£12,449.00 per annum, working 20 hours per week. Benefits include 25 days Annual Leave, pension schemes, staff discounts, healthcare and career progression.

Want to feel like you're making a difference? You'll feel at home here.

Successful candidates will have the opportunity to join a friendly, dynamic and engaging staff team working in Islington. Support Workers enable people with particular needs to manage their tenancies and promote further independence in the community by providing a flexible and individually tailored support package. The service has two sites across three buildings with shared facilities supporting 11 customers.

The role involves working shifts over a 40 hour week, which are 8 hour between the hours of 7:30am and 10:30pm (either 7:30am - 3:30pm, 2:30pm - 10:30pm or occasionally 9am - 5pm or 10am - 6pm). Shifts are on a rolling rota and are from Monday to Sunday.

5 Months (ends on 31st March 2023), with opportunity for a full time contract at end.

This role requires a valid Right to Work for the UK as Look Ahead are not a sponsoring organisation.

What you'll do:

Building supportive, trusting professional relationships with customers and contributing to a positive work atmosphere.
Supporting customers to maintain a healthy environment to live in with the aim that they can become as independent as possible.
Working proactively with other members of the team to support the service caseload and completing administrative responsibilities.
Conducting regular key work sessions as required, ones that are innovative, holistic and engaging in order to achieve Support Plan goals.
Ensuring ongoing assessment and management of risks associated with customers within a supportive 'positive risk taking' approach.
Supporting customers to attend appointments in the community and managing their (benefits, income, finances) as and when required.
Providing support with daily living activities, including practical assistance to support customers to achieve independent living e.g. vocational, educational, community links, etc.
Assisting in the recording and reporting of customer incidents and working to ensure the safety of the service.
Managing customer referrals, completing assessments and obtaining and maintaining all relevant paperwork.
Developing productive relationships with partner organisations to improve service compliance and quality outcomes.
Adhering to lone working policies and protocols and maintaining high levels of awareness in relation to the health and safety of yourself and colleagues.

For our full job descrition please visit our website.

This is not an exhaustive list of all the duties and responsibilities that may be required from time to time and is subject to change in accordance with the needs of Look Ahead

About you:

Enjoys learning from others, social interaction and joins in local activities to encourage customer involvement.
Approachable and open to working as part of a group or team.
Is fundamentally calm and resilient, does not let emotion adversely affect them or obscure their judgement when faced with challenging cicumstances.
Has a practical and logical mind and is naturally well organised.
Is flexible in approach to work and supportive towards colleagues.
Open to receiving feedback and enjoys self development.
Thrives on change and enjoys dynamic diverse environments.
Is respectful, articulate and sensitive in style of communication.
Is essentially customer-focused keen to source local resources that can add value to the support services that we provide.

For our full job description please visit our website.

What you'll bring:

Essential:

Reasonably proficient use of Microsoft programmes and an ability and willing to learn how to use new recording and reporting software
Must have a current visa or passport, or other proof to work in the UK. (Unfortunately, we do not provide direct visa sponsorship, although we are willing to hire those on shorter visas)

Desirable:

Experience working in mental health, with homelessness or other social support accommodation based or other services
experience in the social care/charity sector
Some experience / knowledge of the benefits system, appeals and supporting individuals with these
Any experience of drug and alcohol support services
Working knowledge of building management

About us:

Look Ahead is a dynamic, leading, not-for-profit care and support provider in London and the South East. As an organisation we deliver over 110 services, providing support to around 7000 customers each year. We work across mental health, homelessness, young people and learning disabilities so there are plenty of opportunities to grow and progress your career with us.

Look Ahead is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and adults at risk, and expects all employees, workers and volunteers to share this commitment.

If your application for this role is unsuccessful, but we feel that you would be suitable for another role, we may contact you to discuss alternative opportunities. If this occurs you would not need to submit another application for the alternative role.

We reserve the right to close this advert early if we are able to appoint to the vacancy before the advertised closed date.

We are committed to diversity and inclusion at work and are accredited with Silver in the Inclusive Employers Standard 2021. We are a proud member of the Employers Domestic Abuse Covenant and encourage applications from a diverse range of applicants of all backgrounds.