Caseworker (part-time)

Homeless Link; Greater London; On-site; GBP 19,000 - 32,000; Part time

Job summary

Homeless Link in London is seeking a Caseworker to provide specialist advice and advocacy to guests across partner day centres and night shelters during the winter period. The role requires empathy, strong communication, and good organisational skills, with a focus on helping guests access accommodation and health services.

The position is a hybrid role with regular office work in London and partner sites. It involves maintaining case records, attending meetings, and supporting guests and staff

Qualifications

• Empathetic approach to supporting homeless people
• Clear, compassionate communication with guests and staff
• Strong organisational and record-keeping skills
• Ability to work independently and take initiative
• Willingness to work evenings when required (night shelter)

Responsibilities

• Provide specialist advice and advocacy to guests across partner day centres and shelters
• Develop creative, client-centered plans to help guests achieve goals
• Attend appointments with guests as needed
• Refer guests to accommodation and health services and other supports
• Maintain communication with centre managers and external partners
• Attend meetings with casework teams and partner organisations
• Collect statistics and measure outcomes for the service
• Maintain compliant admin and case records (GDPR)
• Manage a small casework budget
• Undertake other duties to help run the project as required

Skills

Empathy

Communication

Organisation

Time management

Initiative

Job description

Job title: Caseworker

Salary: £31,500 per annum full time - this role is three days per week with a pro rata salary of £18,900. Mondays & Thursdays required, plus one extra day per week.

Location: Hybrid role, with regular work at Glass Door's office (SW6 1BJ) and a partner day centre (W12 9LN).

Contract: Twelve month contract - with possible extension

Reporting to: Senior Caseworker

Job Description

• Providing a specialist advice and advocacy service to the homeless guests of our services, which include partner day centres and night shelters over the winter season
• Employing creative thinking and practices to ensure that guests are supported and motivated to achieve their goals
• Attending appointments with guests occasionally when needed
• Referring and signposting guests to accommodation providers, health services and other relevant internal and external support services, as necessary
• Maintaining good communication with the Managers of our partnered Drop-in Centres, Glass Door colleagues and local statutory and non-statutory services
• Attending meetings with the casework team, external service providers and partner organisations when required
• Collating statistics and outcome measurements of the casework service for both internal and external use
• Maintaining a well-organised and easily accessible administration system for the casework programme in line with relevant legislation (e.g. GDPR)
• Managing a small casework budget
• Undertaking any other duties to aid the good running of the project, as required by the charity

Person Specification

• At least one year experience of working one-on-one with -- and assessing the needs of -- homeless people or similar disadvantaged client groups
• Empathetic attitude to homeless and vulnerably-housed people
• Up-to-date knowledge of the welfare issues and legislation affecting homeless people
• Knowledge of relevant support services available to homeless people, particularly in West London
• Confident approach to, and experience of, dealing with challenging behaviour
• Ability to maintain good relationships with colleagues and external service providers
• Highly organised with strong time-management skills
• Ability to keep clear and up-to-date case records
• Ability to work independently and take the initiative to make important decisions
• Flexible and supportive team member with excellent communication skills
• Ability to adhere to and implement Health & Safety, HR and operational policies
• Understanding of and commitment to Equal Opportunities
• For night shelter caseworkers, willingness to work a minimum of one evening per week

Desirable

• Ability to speak Polish, Romanian or other Eastern European languages
• Experience of working alongside volunteers