Support Worker at Housing First Project - Gateshead

The Housing First 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.

All activity will be underpinned by the following Housing First Principles:

1. People have the right to a home

2. Flexible support is provided for as long as it is needed

3. Housing and support are separate

4. People have choice and control over all aspects of their lives

5. The service is based upon individual’s strengths, goals, and aspirations

6. An active engagement approach is used

7. A harm reduction approach is used.

Reporting to the Housing First Team Leader, the Housing First 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.

Organisation Context:

Oasis Community Housing (OCH) is a Christian response to homelessness and disadvantage providing housing, support and other specialised services. The support provided aims to develop life skills that will enable people to live successful independent lives.

Oasis Community Housing is part of the Oasis group of charities. The group includes national charities dedicated to education, housing, and campaigning against human trafficking and we work to a common vision of creating communities in which everyone can thrive and reach their God-given potential.

We welcome applicants from all faiths or none, but it is important that all employees understand and sympathise with the Christian vision, ethos, and culture of the organization. However, it will be an 1 occupational requirement that a practising Christian be needed for some specified roles. This will be highlighted in the qualifications section of the job description and will be clearly stated in the job advert.

Oasis Community Housing is a growing charity, with its Central Office in Gateshead. 

Duties & Responsibilities:

• To assist the Project Team Leader/senior worker in ensuring holistic (mental, physical, emotional, spiritual) support is provided to people in accordance with the ethos and values of Oasis Community Housing. 

• Work with Housing First individuals to help them articulate their goals and aspirations offering personal, therapeutic, and emotional support. The work will be informed by core Housing First principles.  

• Undertake comprehensive needs and risk assessments with each allocated resident. 

• Develop and maintain relationships with Housing First individuals to enable person centred support, promoting personal choice and wellbeing. This will be done through regular contact, including visits to individuals’ homes and appropriate community settings.  

• Be adaptive and flexible, resilient to challenges and rejections, to support the stability and progression of Housing First individuals to achieve personalised outcomes. 

• Liaise with accommodation providers and actively encourage Housing First individuals to move into appropriate Housing First accommodation of their choice. 

• Identify barriers to acquiring and maintaining accommodation and provide support, including practical help with furniture, benefits advice, budgeting, neighbour relations and liaising with landlords.

• Offer advice, guidance, and support on ways in which substance misuse and other harmful activities can be practiced more safely. This includes anticipating and supporting the reduction of harmful challenges while maximising opportunities.  

• Support individuals in attending AA/NA and taking first steps to address their substance misuse issues.  

• Be empowered and persistent in advocating for individuals to access all services, including reconciliation work with agencies, if required. 

• Develop, maintain and coordinate effective working relationships with external agencies, promoting effective communication for and about individuals ensuring the Housing First project is widely known and promoted.  

• Identify cases requiring further help (specialist advice, alternative support) referring and supporting engagement as appropriate.  

• Support individuals to access community resources to develop positive peer networks and meaningful leisure opportunities, including social, recreational, sport, faith, learning and arts.  

• Regularly review individuals support plans to update, maintain accurate monitoring and evaluation records using InForm, including detailed information on people worked with.  

• Actively participate in achieving targets as set by the Housing First senior/Manager. 

• Actively engage with supervision with line manager, including review of training needs. 

• To be responsible and accountable for the delivery of high-quality support.  

• Undertake any other duties consistent with the role. 

• To assist in the recording of access to, participation in and evaluation of services; to encourage and facilitate consultation and participation at all levels of service development. 

• Supporting in the active participation of people resident in Housing First project design, delivery, and evaluation 

• Providing support in the process surrounding the refusal of applicants and move on decisions for Housing First referrals. 

• To be involved with, and facilitate, group work activities e.g. Life and Employability Skills Workshops, Social Events, Personal Development Programme activities and keep records of such activities. 

• To ensure safeguarding policies and procedures are adhered to in your practices, and that concerns are reported appropriately and expediently.

• To signpost and support people to access other professional services.

Personal Specification/Key Competencies:

Qualifications:

• Relevant qualification to NVQ Level 2 (Desirable)

• Professional qualification in a related field (housing management, social work etc.) (Desirable)

Work Experience:

• At least 2 years’ experience as a support worker (Essential) 

• Good understanding of housing first principles. 

• Experience of using person centred support plans (Essential) 

• An awareness of the impact of worklessness on homeless people (Desirable) 

• Knowledge of drug and alcohol misuse (Essential) 

• Knowledge of mental health issues (Desirable)