Job Role: Peripatetic Project6 and Floating Support Workers

Location: Greater Manchester

Duration: On going

Date entered: 08.12.2009

Small description:

Location: Buxton and Matlock
Salary: £10-11 per hour
Duration: On going temporary contract

Large description:

OVERALL PURPOSE OF THE JOB:

Provision of housing related support services to our Service Users, specifically: 

•    Young People (aged 16 – 25) at our Supported Accommodation Project in Buxton.

•    Tenancy related support to our service users (aged 18+) who may be struggling to maintain tenancies in the community

Other related Project roles, in order to help us meet the needs of our Service Users. This may include working administrative roles; Bond Scheme; Landlord Accreditation Scheme etc. 

2.    AS A TEAM MEMBER

The post holder will be aware of the work of the Association as a whole and will foster good working relationships. 

3.    HEALTH AND SAFETY

To be aware of the policies of the Association, to ensure that such policies are carried out and good practice is maintained.

To agree specific health and safety, lone worker procedures with Area Manager and to adhere to safe working practices at all times.

4.    MAIN DUTIES OF THE JOB:  To be agreed, according to the specific needs of the Project.  Roles may include elements of the following:

•    Provision of housing related support, and other duties, across 2 service areas, specifically the young person’s Supported Accommodation Project  and our tenancy support services (“floating support”) in the community.  This will involve working at the Project but also out in the community.

•    The role is based around supporting people to find and maintain appropriate accommodation and to develop independent living skills.

•    Fostering positive relationships with service users and to act in accordance with professional standards, policies and procedures.

The role may include the following duties:

•    To provide individually tailored packages of support to young people living at the project or those people in receipt of our Floating Support Services in the community.

•    To assess the support needs of the individual and, with them, devise a support plan based on these needs.

•    To support service users to resolve housing related needs and achieve goals identified in their support plan.

•    To hold reviews with the individual to monitor progress & revise support plans where necessary.

•    To meet with the individual as often as support need dictates – usually weekly.  Level to be determined in accordance with individual need and may be fluid – moving from higher to lower, but with potential to increase as required.

•    To help enable the individual to access other services, as needed, and to accompany the person to appointments/meetings as appropriate, by agreement.

•    To meet those in receipt of floating support at an agreed meeting place where appropriate - in their own home; or in a public place - having due regard to health and safety and needs of the client.

Project work: the above duties will apply but specific duties related to the management of accommodation based services will also apply, including: 

-    to enable and encourage resident involvement
-    to work with Residents to prepare them for move on into permanent accommodation.
-    to take referrals to the Project and liaise with referring partners, offering interviews and making selection decisions with the staff team.
-    to help the young people move into the Project; to provide an Induction and to assist them to settle into the Project and their surroundings.
-    to carry out standard health and safety checks of the flats and the building.
-    to monitor the conditions of the flats; take requests for repairs and help ensure that these are dealt with in accordance with the organisations procedures.
-    to monitor the residents payment of rent charges and personal charge to assist in the management of arrears / voids etc.
-    to oversee the safety and security of the building and the comings and goings of the residents.
-    to keep a log of activities.
-    to assist with cleaning of vacant flats and prepare them for re-let.

5.    LIAISON WITH LANDLORDS AND OTHER AGENCIES

•    To maintain close contact and good relationships with other housing providers in the area, including Local Authorities; RSLs; and private sector Landlords. 

•    To liaise with statutory and voluntary agencies, as appropriate, in order to take referrals, or help access services for service users.

6.    ADMINISTRATION

•    To keep full and clear records of all referrals and cases.  To help enable identification of need levels; outcomes.

•    To record key points from meetings; targets – in accordance with Support Contracts; ensuring service user has access to these records in accordance with the organisations policies.

•    To produce reports/case studies as requested.

•    To be aware of health and safety issues and adhere to health and safety working practices at all times.

•    To assist in the production of appropriate publicity/information for the Scheme.

•    To maintain records of service users as required by the organisation and by funding services

•    Photocopying; filing and general admin as required by the Scheme.

7.    OTHER

•    To meet with Manager to discuss work as appropriate.

•    To work pre-agreed times, as required, to enable flexible and responsive service to be delivered.  Some evenings and weekend work may be required depending upon the specific role.

•    To carry out risk assessments for all individuals referred to the scheme; and to adhere to the organisations national and local risk assessment policies at all times.

•    Any other duties that are deemed appropriate to the post



PERSON SPECIFICATION

PLEASE ENSURE ALL THESE POINTS ARE EVIDENCED IN YOUR
APPLICATION FORM


Post:        RELIEF WORKER – PERIPATETIC

Location:     BASED AT HIGH PEAK, BUXTON


ESSENTIAL

SKILLS/EXPERIENCE
•    Good communication skills
•    1-2 years experience working with people aged 16 +
•    Ability to relate constructively to client group
•    1-2 years experience of providing housing related services and support services
•    To work within Christian ethos
•    Experience of working with challenging behaviour
•    Experience of working with wide range of organisations; agencies; in a constructive way
•    Commitment to ensuring equality of opportunity and equal access to resources for the client group
•    Car owner required. 

ABILITY AND KNOWLEDGE
•    Knowledge of  housing provision and options
•    Knowledge of benefits system
•    Ability to work in a proactive way
•    Ability to work on own; high degree of initiative
•    To work in accordance with equal opportunities
•    To follow through tasks to a high standard
•    Administrative and record keeping skills
•    Ability to undertake risk assessments and work within established framework of health & safety practices
•    Ability to work flexible hours to include some evenings and weekends

For more information, please contact Victoria Brown on 0161 941 4822
CV's to victoria.brown@housingsupport.co.uk