Who we are

Community Links is a social action charity, rooted in east London.  Our vision is Ready for Everything Communities. Our mission is to support people in coming together, overcoming barriers, building purpose and making the most of the place they live in. From our base in east London, we apply the learning from our local work to influence and achieve positive national change. 

Our team delivers a diverse range of projects for 5000 people every year drawing on 40 years of experience working with children, young people and adults.

Community links are proud to be part of the Catch22 group. Catch22 exist to help build a society where everyone has a good place to live, good people around them, and a fulfilling purpose. We call these our '3Ps'.

We achieve this in two ways. We improve lives on the frontline through delivery of public services. Secondly, we use our knowledge to change 'the system', to fix the complex web that can trap and disempower those it was set up to help. With the heart of a charity and the mindset of a business, we are uniquely placed to deliver on this challenging agenda.
 

Job Description

We are looking for a Project Worker - Mental Health to be responsible for establishing and co-ordinating the day-to-day running of this exciting, new, mental health, crisis prevention programme. Your project sits within our established, social worker-led, Help through Crisis Service and aims to meet the surge in Covid-19 related mental health crisis impacting Newham residents. 

You will be responsible for delivering outreach work, facilitating peer support groups and wellbeing activities, and leading on the provision of signposting and information on local mental health and care services. In order to maximise our reach, you will lead on the recruitment, development and retention of volunteers, primarily Community Mental Health Champions, to raise awareness of mental health and break down barriers to accessing support.
 

Main Duties & Accountabilites

As a Community Engagement Officer, you will:

Engagement and Outreach

• Provide a new community outreach element to target ‘hard to reach’ groups who would traditionally be less likely to access formal mental health support.
• Create interesting wellbeing activities and virtual spaces for our Community Champions and service users and community to come together, advocate for service users, and lead peer to peer support groups.
• Lead on the recruitment, training and support of Community Mental Health Champions, including those with lived experience of mental health difficulties, who will contribute towards project activity.

Information and signposting

• Lead on the provision of mental health related referrals from our programmes and partner organisations across east London helping rapidly connect people presenting with signs of mental health concerns with appropriate support, both internally and externally.
• Adapt services to a mixed-delivery model for remote and in-person support as lockdown restrictions change.
• Lead on the provision of signposting and information to Newham residents connecting them to our services, activities, partners, Primary Care Network embedded Community Connectors and mental health café provider Hestia.

Intelligence, organisational relationships and influence

• Collecting data and reporting on outcomes for service users using a standardised, outcome measure framework in order to understand the impact of the project, and identify learning to inform future development.
• Act as an ambassador for Community Links and champion mental health at all opportunities.
• Meet individual project level targets as set out by the Programme Manager.
• Actively monitor and evaluate the quality of the work undertaken; seeking feedback regularly and looking for opportunities to learn and improve.

• Keep up-to-date with local, regional and national developments in (mental) health, social care and safeguarding adults at risk.
• Develop relationships with statutory partners and local voluntary and community organisations to facilitate channels of communication, share information, learning and good practice.
• Assist in the establishment and coordinate a new, dynamic internal Mental Health working group
   

Person Specification

To succeed in this role, you’ll need a professional qualification or significant experience in a related field, such as: mental health, nursing, social work, voluntary sector, teaching or providing health and wellbeing activities within a mental health framework.

Knowledge;

• Knowledge of safeguarding procedures and an ability to react appropriately and consult with the relevant professionals when a safeguarding concern arises.

• Understanding of the forms and impact of mental illness, including the barriers to accessing support and treatment and recovery principles.

• Knowledge of appropriate ways to seek the views and knowledge of stakeholder groups, including people with lived experience of these issues.

• Commitment to tackling inequalities, and appreciation for the challenges faced by disadvantaged communities and those from diverse seldom heard backgrounds.

• Good knowledge of the health and social care system, ideally locally, and how people can best navigate the system and seek support.

Experience;

• Experience of working in a mental health crisis prevention role or with individuals experiencing mental health difficulties
• Facilitating health and wellbeing activities.
• A track record of providing excellent service to all beneficiaries who will use the service by offering high standards of care at all times and the ability to meet organisational standards in the provision of a responsive service.
• Experience of group facilitation in a relevant field.
• Experience of working in partnership and co-production in the field of mental health.
• Experience of confidently and sensitively supporting people facing difficult circumstances.
• Experience of employing evidence-based evaluation tools and methods to measure the impact of a service.  

Fixed term contract until 31/08/2021.

Founded in 1967 by Lord Longford to address the needs of young people who were involved in drug abuse in the West End of London, New Horizon Youth Centre continues today to work with the most vulnerable and at risk young people.

In the autumn of 1994, we moved from Covent Garden to our current premises in the Somers Town area. We are ideally situated between the mainline stations of Kings Cross and Euston to meet both the needs of Londoners and of those coming into the capital from the UK and beyond. Over the past 20 years in this location we have empowered and enabled 20,000 young people to address their multiple issues and to move on in their lives. 

Our Mission  

To enable homeless and young vulnerable people to achieve independence and positive futures

We deliver this mission through four strategic objectives:

• Provision: offering a high quality, one stop shop of services at our drop in centre and through our outreach team
• Places: brokering places for young people to stay in the short term or call home in the long term
• Partnerships: working with funders, policy makers and sector partners to raise awareness of and investment in homeless young people
• Platform: sustaining a well-run organisation that is a great place to work.

Our values

• Starting with strengths – we trust and see the best in each other 
• Collaboration – because we are all stronger when we work together with diverse people and organisations
• Responsiveness – because the world changes, we change and what young people need and want changes
• Being our word – we do what we say we will because the young people we support, our team and our partners deserve nothing less.

The key objectives of the post are:

• To increase accommodation options for young people through NHYC’s own accommodation projects
• To support homeless young people in maintaining their accommodation and into successful and timely move-on
• To provide housing management expertise and resettlement support across NHYC accommodation projects

We have an exciting opportunity for a Project Link Worker to join us at The Passage Resource Centre based in London. You will join us on a full time, fixed term contract until 31st August 2021, working 35 hours per week excluding breaks on a flexible shift system (working between Monday to Sunday within the hours 8.00am to 5.15pm on a rota basis). In return, you will receive a competitive salary of £26,411 per annum (NJC Scale range 15-19) including LW + pensions and other benefits.

The Passage Resource Centre provides a safe environment for those who are rough sleeping and insecurely housed. We provide a range of services for those who are seeking a solution to changing their rough sleeping situation.  We are currently piloting a new model of service to reflect the Passage moving to an Advice and Support Hub through an appointment based effective and seamless service.

We aim to provide the highest quality support to men and women who find themselves sleeping rough in Westminster, providing a safe and welcoming place whilst seeking a positive outcome to their situation. The Resource Centre continues to develop effective engagement by using psychologically therapeutic ways of working with our clients as we embark on a new and innovative way to supportively work with our clients. 

About the role:

As our Project Link Worker you will provide a warm welcome and safe environment for our clients which is responsive to their needs.  You will work as a link worker between the Rough Sleepers Team and Employment and Training Team to assist clients with their development of skills and tools to enable their search for employment or training options independently.

Key responsibilities of our Project Link Worker will include:

- Be the first point of contact for our clients ensuring they are provided with a warm and welcome greeting

- Conduct assessments with clients ensuring they are carried out in a psychologically and therapeutic way

- Assist in the design and delivery of a comprehensive induction service for clients

- Draw up physiologically informed action plans for clients ensuring they are person centred

- Refer our clients to both internal and external agencies as appropriate to their action plans

- Work with external agencies using a multi-disciplinary team approach to achieve the best possible outcomes

- Design and deliver training programs to clients

- Assess any risk to clients, the environment and staff, record and communicate any risks identified

- Risk manage incidents using a psychologically informed approach

- Maximize effective teamwork throughout the resource centre

- Ensure accurate and timely record keeping using the in-form database

- Conduct an initial assessment /ETE induction to identify client needs

- Identify employment pathways for clients and refer appropriately

- Design and deliver client induction process to ensure these meet the physiological way of working

- Research affordable temporary accommodation options for clients

- Offer clients the opportunity to discuss issues regarding employment and education affecting them, in a safe and non-judgmental environment

Our ideal Project Link Worker will have the following skills, experience, and knowledge:

Experience

- Applying a customer focused approach to all areas of work

- Working with vulnerable people who present with complex support needs in a person centred and psychologically informed way

 - Carrying out assessments in a psychologically informed environment across our client group

- Incident management within a psychological informed framework

- Record keeping using databases

- Working in a busy and challenging environment and managing conflicting priorities

- Supporting and encouraging vulnerable individuals in accessing employment and education opportunities.

- Designing and delivering training on a one to one basis.

Knowledge

- How to work with clients within a psychologically informed framework

- Assessment processes and how to use them when working with a complex client group

- Applying compassion focused therapy solutions

- Risk and incident management in a psychologically informed manner

- Welfare rights and how they impact on our client group

- Homelessness resources and how to access them to obtain a positive outcome for our clients

- Training, accreditation methods and employment opportunities (voluntary or paid)

Closing Date: 10am on 12th August  

Interview Date: 21st August 2020

If you would like to join us in the role of Project Link Worker, please click ‘apply’ now – we would love to hear from you! 

Young Roots is recruiting for an enthusiastic and committed female Project Worker to plan and deliver our weekly youth sessions in Croydon, working closely with the Project Coordinator and other staff, volunteers and partners (Refugee Council and The Bike Project). This is an exciting opportunity to join a team of dedicated staff and volunteers supporting young refugees in Croydon.

In line with the Equality Act 2010, there is a Genuine Occupational Requirement that the post-holder is female due to the gender sensitivity of the work involved. We would particularly welcome applications from people with lived experience of being a refugee and/ or from PoC.

Please find attached the full job description and person specification (below) and the application form (through clicking 'application details' on the right).

Do you believe everyone should have a place to call home and the chance to lead a fulfilling life?

SHP (Single Homeless Project) is one of London’s leading homelessness prevention charities and a dynamic and growing organisation changing 8,000 lives every year across London - from supporting people in crisis, to helping them take the final steps towards independence and employment.

As a  Project/ Support Worker (Complex Needs), you will be in a specialist role designed to work with people who may be more difficult to establish working relationships with or to reach.  As such, you will role model good practice for working with those who have experienced multiple disadvantages by adopting a trauma informed approach in line with our psychologically informed framework.

Southampton Row is a 18 bed hostel which provides 24/7 specialist support to clients at multiple disadvantage from a variety of support needs sometimes including substance use, mental health difficulties, rough sleeping, criminal justice contact and self-care issues. The service aims to deliver a high quality accommodation based support service.  During their stay, residents are supported by the team to continue in addressing their support needs and work towards independence.

To be successful, you will have experience of working with people who have experienced or been at risk of homelessness; including those who live in temporary or insecure accommodation.  You will also have experience of working with people who have complex or troubling experiences and/or behaviours along with direct case/key- working experience. An awareness of legislation relating to mental health services and the ability to hold a  caseload is also essential.

There is a requirement to work a 24/7 rota, which will include weekends and bank holidays.The shifts patterns are Early, Mid or Late shifts spanning the hours 8.00am-10.30pm 

Closing date: 19th August 2020 (at Midnight)

Interview date: 26/27th August 2020

This post will require an Enhanced DBS check to be processed for the successful applicant. 

Our attractive benefits package includes:

• A salary increase after successfully completing six months.
• A 37.5 hour working week including flexible working hours (core hours are 10am – 4pm) in non-accommodation services
• 25 days annual leave, increasing annually to the maximum 30 days (plus paid Bank Holidays),
• A contributory pension scheme: SHP will contribute the equivalent of 5% of your annual salary
• Staff Health Cash Plan and discounts scheme
• Comprehensive and integrated training programme designed specifically to develop the skills and knowledge involved in our work

SHP is actively committed to equal opportunities and the promotion of diversity and inclusion, in all of our services and workplaces.  We are also Disability Confident Committed, a Stonewall Diversity Champion and IIP accredited.  In the London Homelessness Awards 2019 one of our Projects was commended for their work.

Support Worker
Location: Hillingdon 
Application Deadline: 31 August 2020
Salary: £10.07 per hour (£19,743.12 per annum)

Certitude is an adult social care provider, rated as outstanding by CQC for our domiciliary care. We are proud of our history of supporting people with complex mental health needs and learning disabilities and support more than 1,500 people in a diverse range of services across London. We employ 1,000 staff and are committed to their development. With Certitude, you have the opportunity to work with incredible people, develop your career and support others to have a good life. 

The people you support will have a sensory or learning disability, physical disabilities, complex health needs or mental health difficulties. The combination of these needs will require an individual who will be open-minded and patient.

You will facilitate the development of the people we support, so that they can lead full and active lives within the community.

To be a successful Support Worker, you will need to demonstrate:

- The ability to remain patient and calm under pressure
- The ability to work using your own initiative and a proactive approach
- A team player mentality 
- An interest in outdoor activities such as swimming, games and long walks
- The ability to use a range of technology – the internet, emails, databases, Microsoft Office, Excel, smart phones and iPads

We will trust you to:

- Build great relationships with the people we support, helping them tackle their challenges and achieve their goals
- Observe change within the individual’s circumstances and respond accordingly
- Ensure effective day-to-day management of colleagues including effective activity delegation

What’s in it for you?

- A competitive salary
- Pension salary sacrifice scheme
- A stimulating work environment full of opportunities to learn and develop
- An attractive package of 25 days’ annual leave, pension scheme, childcare vouchers and access to 24-hour Employee Assistance counselling
- We will pay for your Enhanced DBS
- Eye care vouchers
- Travel season ticket loan
- Cycle to work scheme

Our values:

- Working Together
- Continuously Improving
- Inspired by People
- Dependable

All our posts are subject to an Enhanced DBS disclosure as well as a need for full employment history from time of leaving compulsory education and up to date employment references. We are committed to equal opportunities in employment and service delivery and we welcome applications from all sections of the community. We guarantee to interview all applicants with a disability who meet the minimum criteria for the job vacancy and to consider them on their abilities.

You may have experience of the following: Support Worker, Charity, Charities, Third Sector, Learning Disabilities, Social Care, Voluntary Sector, Mental Health Worker, Healthcare Assistant, Care Staff, Community Development, Care Worker, Vulnerable People, Social Worker, Not for Profit, NFP etc.

This vacancy is being advertised by Webrecruit. The services advertised by Webrecruit are those of an Employment Agency. 

Support Worker (Life Enabler) 
Location: Hounslow 
Application Deadline: 31 August 2020 
Salary: £20,810.04 per annum plus the Life Enabler allowance of £269.37

Certitude is an adult social care provider, rated as outstanding by CQC for our domiciliary care support. We are proud of our history of supporting people with complex mental health needs and learning disabilities and support more than 1,500 people in a diverse range of services across London. We employ over 1,000 staff and are committed to their development. With Certitude, you have the opportunity to work with incredible people, develop your career and support others to have a good life. 

If you are interested in a career that makes a difference, we are recruiting Life Enabler Support Workers to support adults with learning disabilities, to enable them to live a good life, achieving their own goals. You will work as part of a team, supporting people in line with their person-centred support plans, helping them with all aspects of their daily life, both at home and out and about in their community. 

This is a new role which will ensure the people you support are achieving person-centred outcomes and maintaining and increasing their independence and skills to enable them to be active in their communities. You will focus on active support, physical and emotional wellbeing, communication and understanding and achieving purpose. Support will flex with people as their needs and life choices change.

To be a successful Life Enabler, you will need to demonstrate:

- Experience of supporting people who have learning disabilities/and or autism to become more active in their community
- The ability to make and maintain great relationships with others
- The ability to motivate others and build their confidence to try new things
- The ability to adapt support and think around problems to develop creative solutions for people
- Knowledge of the Mental Capacity Act and Deprivation of Liberties safeguards
- The ability to work within a team structure and understand the importance of teamwork
- The ability to use a range of technology – the internet, emails, Microsoft Office, smart phones and iPads

We will trust you to:

- Build great relationships with the people you support and others who are important in their lives (families, friends, staff and external professionals)
- Ensure people are supported in everyday tasks in a respectful way
- Support the person’s individual needs and preferences by enabling them to do as much as possible for themselves 
- Empower people by offering as much choice, control and involvement as possible – whether it is assistance to eat, wash, provide medication, enhance their mobility, communicate their needs, support with finances, get in touch with friends, take part in classes or be active members of their communities
- Be confident to adapt behaviour to individuals and situations
- Ensure individualised support helps people tackle challenges and achieve their goals

What’s in it for you:

- A competitive salary
- Pension salary sacrifice scheme
- A stimulating work environment full of opportunities to learn and develop
- An attractive package of 25 days’ annual leave, pension scheme and access to 24-hour Employee Assistance counselling
- We will pay for your Enhanced DBS
- Eye care vouchers
- Travel season ticket loan
- Cycle to work scheme

Our values:

- Working Together
- Continuously Improving
- Inspired by People
- Dependable

All our posts are subject to an Enhanced DBS disclosure as well as a need for full employment history from time of leaving compulsory education and up to date employment references. We are committed to equal opportunities in employment and service delivery and we welcome applications from all sections of the community. We guarantee to interview all applicants with a disability who meet the minimum criteria for the job vacancy and to consider them on their abilities.

You may have experience of the following: Support Worker, Charity, Charities, Third Sector, Learning Disabilities, Social Care, Voluntary Sector, Mental Health Worker, Healthcare Assistant, Care Staff, Community Development, Care Worker, Vulnerable People, Social Worker, Not for Profit, NFP etc.

This vacancy is being advertised by Webrecruit. The services advertised by Webrecruit are those of an Employment Agency. 

We’re looking for an energetic, personable and proactive individual to join our Intake, Support and Resettlement Team. You will need to have an understanding of the emotional and practical challenges that homeless people face as they strive to move from hostel to independent living. Naturally, you will be resilient! 

If you want to know more about the role and us, have a read through the Recruitment Pack.  If you're still interested, then send us your CV and Supporting Statement.

Do you want to help people achieve and maintain independent living? Then think about joining us as a Resettlement Worker.  If you do, it’s essential you have an understanding of the challenges that single homeless people face as they move from hostel living to self-sufficiency and independence.

If you want to know more about the role and us, have a read through the Recruitment Pack. If you're still interested, send us your CV and Supporting Statement.

Closing date 26th August.

Closing Date:  Midnight 16/08/2020
Interview Date: TBC

We are looking for a capable and enthusiastic Support Worker to join the Lambeth Alliance Single Point of Access service (SPA) which is part of the innovative reshaping of mental health services in Lambeth.

The SPA is a borough wide centralised mental health service that directs people to the right support first time.

At Thames Reach we are committed to helping homeless and vulnerable people to live in decent homes, build supportive relationships and lead fulfilling lives. Our vision is to end street homelessness and our aim is to achieve the highest standards and effectiveness in service delivery to vulnerable people.

The focus of your work as Support Worker at the SPA will be to complete telephone assessments with people seeking support with their mental health and referring them onto a service that will offer them suitable support.

You’ll be:
– organised and efficient in your work
– excellent at communicating and problem solving
– competent at using a computer and a range of software packages
– responsive and flexible to the needs of the team

As well as a great working environment we also offer:

– 6.5% employer & 1.5% employee contributory pension

– Development opportunities

– 29 days annual leave plus bank holidays.

– Reimbursement of the cost of annual eye test

– Season ticket/cycle loan

– Flexible Working

– EAP services

Thames Reach is committed to achieving a diverse workforce that reflects the communities we serve. We value, respect, and celebrate diversity. We welcome and encourage applicants from all sections of the community regardless of their history of homelessness, sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, or religious belief.

For more information and to apply please visit our website. 

We are seeking to recruit two committed and energetic Sessional Workers to work on our daytime, after school and evening clubs for children and young people and adults with learning disabilities and autism.

Experience:  We welcome applications from candidates that have experience in either adult support work, children’s playwork or  youth work, as Markfield can develop your skills in working with a range of age groups. We also particularly welcome people with creative skills in, arts, music, dance, drama.

Minibus driving:  We are particularly keen to recruit those who are able to drive a 16-seater minibus to and from sessions as well as working on the sessions. To do this you must have a driving license held for at least 2 years, but you do not need any prior experience of driving a minibus, as we will provide training.

Hours and working pattern:

We are currently able to offer part-time work for approximately 15 to 25 hours a week during term-times (up to 36 weeks a year).

The term-time work is primarily on the after school and evening clubs, with shifts starting from 2.30pm, and some evening shifts working up to around 9.30pm.

In addition to the term-time work there is also the opportunity to work on our holiday playschemes.

Closing date:  12 noon Monday 10th August 2020
Interviews will be held on Friday 14th August 2020   

We have an exciting opportunity for an Engagement Worker to join us at The Passage House Assessment Centre based in London. You will join us on a full time, fixed term contract until March 2021, working 35 hours per week excluding breaks on a flexible shift system (working between Monday to Sunday within the hours 8.00am to 10.30pm on a rota basis). In return, you will receive a competitive salary of £26,411 per annum (NJC Scale range 15-19) including LW + pensions and other benefits.

The Passage House Assessment Centre aims to provide the highest quality support to men and women who find themselves sleeping rough in Westminster by providing a safe and welcoming place to stay for up to 28 days whilst planning their resettlement. Passage House focuses on a rapid assessment process which is supportive and assertive.

We aim to develop therapeutic relationships with residents so they can be fully involved in tailoring their resettlement plans and be better equipped and more able to overcome negative cycles of behaviour and experiences within the context of 28 day model. Passage House continues to develop effective engagement by using psychologically informed ways of working with residents as the project embarks on a new and innovative way to supportively move individuals off the street. 

About the role:

As our Engagement Worker you will develop therapeutic and positive relationships with residents staying at Passage House and to ensure that residents make full use of their time at the hostel by actively promoting and encouraging engagement with services and activities. You will work closely with the Assessment and Resettlement staff and management team to ensure the delivery of the best possible service to residents within psychologically informed ways of working.

Key responsibilities of our Engagement Worker will include:

- Engage with and support residents and to keep their needs and aspirations at the centre of their work
- Develop within the team an expertise in engagement and motivational working with people who have experienced complex trauma
- Work closely with referral partners and external support agencies to provide a high quality joined up service for clients
- Actively take part in team debriefs, facilitated discussions and reflective practice to develop the necessary skills and support in carrying out client work
- Work positively within a culture of positive risk taking, personalisation and recovery with regards to client support
- Encourage and support residents to participate in meaningful activities and encourage good financial management
- Develop and support therapeutic ways of working
- Adhere to policies, procedures and systems at Passage House which underpin the service and provide effective ways to record and celebrate the work
- Adhere to health and safety, maintenance and building regulations
- Handle incidents effectively, prioritising the safety of the clients and the building

Our ideal Engagement Worker will have the following skills, experience, and knowledge:

Experience

- Delivering support services to socially excluded clients in an Assessment Centre or similar setting, either in a voluntary or paid capacity
- Working within a team and achieving strong and effective relationships with others in order to achieve organisational aims and objectives
- Effective engagement and relationship building with clients and ensuring suitable psychologically informed interventions are in place to ensure client’s needs are identified and met
- Using a variety engagement skills with clients
- Building and developing effective relationships with a vulnerable, disadvantaged or excluded client group

Knowledge

- Homelessness, understanding of the varied needs of homeless people and those at acute risk of homelessness
- Health and Safety, and the implications of this in the working environment
- Knowledge of requirements of Supporting People and psychologically informed ways of working within a residential setting
- Understanding and experience of working with people from different cultural backgrounds
- Understanding of safeguarding procedure.

Closing date: 24th August 2020, 10am

Interview date: 3rd September 2020

If you would like to join us in the role of Engagement Worker please click ‘apply’ now – we would love to hear from you!

Outreach Worker
London, TW1

If you have experience of working in street or community outreach services, this is an amazing opportunity to help change the lives of some of the most marginalised people in our society.

About Us

We are SPEAR, a charity dedicated to helping homeless people in South and West London find secure accommodation and work towards a positive future.

For 30 years, we’ve worked tirelessly to support homeless people to recover from their personal issues and break down the barriers that they face.

We recognise that homelessness is much more than just a housing issue, so we provide a range of accommodation and support services to help people reach their full potential.

We’re currently looking for an Outreach Worker to join our passionate team and support the delivery of our rough sleeper outreach service.

The Role

As an Outreach Worker, you’ll enable rough sleepers to leave the street and take their first steps towards lasting, genuine independence.

Working as part of a team, you’ll help to build an accurate picture of the number of people sleeping rough in the borough, make contact with rough sleepers and provide them with support based on their individual needs.

Specifically, you will:

- Manage a caseload of clients, offering assertive, consistent and ongoing support
- Help clients to access appropriate services, including accommodation
- Take part in case reviews with your Team Leader
- Maintain constructive working relationships with other service providers, businesses and community groups

About You

To join us as an Outreach Worker, you’ll need:

- Previous experience of working in street or community outreach services
- Experience of motivating complex and diverse client groups to engage with support
- Previous experience of delivering and administering an assertive case management approach
- Knowledge of the services and legislative environment regarding housing, health, work and immigration as it relates to homeless people
- The demonstrable ability to record and report work to a good standard, using IT systems as well as written records
- The ability to build relationships with services and develop pathways to enable clients to make and sustain positive change
- The ability to support outreach volunteers and peer mentors in outreach shifts

Other organisations may call this role Homelessness Outreach Worker, Rough Sleeper Outreach Worker, Street Outreach Worker, Community Outreach Co-ordinator, Community Support Officer, Community Outreach Officer, or Homelessness Support Worker.

This is a full-time role which will include working shift patterns that reflect the rough sleeping habits that may exist. This may include working early mornings and/or late nights if required.

The Benefits

- Salary of £25,500 per annum
- 26 days’ holiday (rising to 31 with length of service)
- Pension scheme 
- Enhanced maternity and paternity leave
- Access to a free Employee Assistance Programme
- A range of benefits including cycle to work scheme and staff wellbeing sessions
- Training and development opportunities

This is a brilliant opportunity to support the delivery of vital services that are making a tangible impact on the community.

You’ll have the chance to work alongside experienced professionals who understand the input needed to bring about positive change. We attempt to unlock the potential in everyone we work with and will encourage you to do so too.

We’re committed to developing the skills and abilities of the people we work with. All new staff undertake a variety of training in their first six months and we actively encourage our people to undertake formal or accredited training.

We build communities in which everyone has a place to call home and provide the help needed to lead a fulfilling life. If you’d like to make a difference as part of our talented team, we’d love to hear from you.

The closing date for applications is the 17th August 2020. Interviews are scheduled to be held on the week commencing 24th August 2020 and will be held virtually to ensure social distancing, due to the current climate.

At SPEAR, we welcome and encourage applications from everyone, regardless of age, disability, gender, ethnicity, religion and sexual orientation. We are facing diverse problems, so need diverse people to tackle them.

So, if you’re seeking your next challenge as an Outreach Worker, please apply via the button shown. This vacancy is being advertised by Webrecruit. The services advertised by Webrecruit are those of an Employment Agency.

We have 3 exciting opportunities for Assessment and Resettlement Worker’s to join us at Passage House Assessment Centre based in London. You will join us on a full time, fixed term contract until March 2021, working 35 hours per week excluding breaks on a flexible shift system (working between Monday to Sunday within the hours 8.00am to 10.30pm on a rota basis). In return, you will receive a competitive salary of £28,299 per annum (NJC Scale range 19-22) including LW + pensions and other benefits.

The Passage House Assessment Centre aims to provide the highest quality support to men and women who find themselves sleeping rough in Westminster by providing a safe and welcoming place to stay for up to 28 days whilst planning their resettlement. Passage House focuses on a rapid assessment process which is supportive and assertive.

We aim to develop therapeutic relationships with residents so they can be fully involved in tailoring their resettlement plans and be better equipped and more able to overcome negative cycles of behaviour and experiences within the context of 28 day model. Passage House continues to develop effective engagement by using psychologically informed ways of working with residents as the project embarks on a new and innovative way to supportively move individuals off the street.

About the role:

As our Assessment and Resettlement Worker you will hold a case load and deliver, in conjunction with other members of the team, the Passage House Assessment Centre service by carrying out comprehensive assessments; facilitating the rapid resettlement of all individuals who are referred to and accepted by the Passage House Assessment Centre service to available supported networks in their home area or where they have a proven link. You will provide individuals with personalised case management support to help them to resettle utilising a practical action plan in which they have had full involvement.

Key responsibilities of our Assessment and Resettlement Worker will include:

- Be responsible to the Case Coordination Team for the day-to-day delivery of the assessment, support and resettlement of all individuals on your case load
- Provide appropriate advice and support to enable individuals to improve their health and wellbeing
- Actively take part in team debriefs, facilitated discussions and reflective practice to develop the necessary skills and support in carrying out client work
- Handle incidents effectively, prioritising the safety of the clients and the building
- Maintain individual, up to date and accurate client data by inputting into CHAIN recording system
- As part of a team, support the engagement workers on shift to perform any additional duties
- Accompany the commissioned outreach service on an outreach shift to specifically target potential Passage House Assessment Centre clients
- With your line manager, continuously develop the role to ensure that all tasks are being undertaken in an effective and appropriate manner
- Participate in internal/external meetings as required, and attend training events, conferences and other functions as necessary
- Participate in regular supervision, reflective practice and annual appraisal
- Ensure that all The Passage policies and procedures are being adhered to
- Contribute to the effective implementation of The Passage’s Diversity and Equality Policy
- At all times undertake your role in a professional manner maintaining a high quality standard of work
- Adhere to policies, procedures and systems at Passage House which underpin the service and provide effective ways to record and celebrate the work undertaken
- Undertake any other duties that may be required which are commensurate with the role

Our ideal Assessment and Resettlement Worker will have the following skills, experience, and knowledge:

Experience

- Undertaking comprehensive Assessments and Resettlement support to socially excluded clients in an No Second Night Out or similar setting
- Working within a team and achieving strong and effective relationships with others in order to achieve organisational aims and objectives
- Effective engagement and relationship building with clients and providing sensitive psychologically and trauma informed interventions to ensure individual’s needs are identified and addressed
- Building and developing effective relationships with a vulnerable, disadvantaged or excluded client group
- Working with people with challenging behaviour including those with complex needs
- Ability to participate in the development of services, policies, and practices

Knowledge

- Relevant legislation, policy and practice, e.g. Housing Legislation, Rough Sleeping Strategies, Mental Health Act, Housing Act, Enforcement Orders, Central and Local Government Strategies
- Welfare rights available to the client group 
- Understanding of the causes of homelessness and of the often complex needs of individuals who are homeless or at acute risk of homelessness
- Understanding of the issues involved in resettling street homeless individuals and the benefits and challenges of reconnection
- Awareness of the outreach practices to engage with rough sleepers including awareness of the need for a supportive but assertive approach
- Health and Safety, and the implications of this in the working environment
- Requirements of Supporting People and psychologically informed ways of working within a residential setting
- Understanding of safeguarding procedure.

Closing date: 31st August 2020, 10am

Interview date: 17th September 2020

If you would like to join us in the role of Assessment and Resettlement Worker, please click ‘apply’ now – we would love to hear from you!