Community Support Worker

Two Saints; Wokingham; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A community support organization in Wokingham is seeking a Community Support Worker to help those experiencing homelessness. You will engage directly with clients, assess their needs, and assist them in accessing housing and support services. The role requires self-motivation and a passion for helping others, as well as having a driver license and access to transport. This is an opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of individuals facing hardship.

Qualifications

• Clear verbal and written English.
• Good IT and keyboard skills.
• Passion for working in a client-facing role.

Responsibilities

• Manage a caseload of clients in the community.
• Mediating with housing providers to prevent homelessness.
• Provide advice on housing and welfare benefits.
• Assist clients with moving to new accommodation.
• Help clients develop practical skills.

Skills

Clear verbal and written English

Good IT and keyboard skills

Polite, assertive manner

Self-motivated

Passion for client-facing role

Knowledge of the benefits system

Interest in homelessness issues

Knowledge of agencies

Driver license and transport

Job description

There is a contractual requirement to take part in the Bi-monthly street counts and the outreach shifts.

TWO1163709 – Community Support Worker

This role is a great opportunity to support people who have experienced homelessness into their permanent offer of accommodation.

The right candidate would be able to recognise support needs and be able to sign post or refer into the partner agencies that can deliver help with those support needs.

A knowledge of the UK benefit system is preferrable but not essential as training will be given.

This role does require lone working so the right candidate will be confident to build relationships and manage their own case load.

Wokingham Community Support provides support to adults who are sleeping rough, helping them to access support and accommodation in Wokingham.

Our aim is to identify individuals who are sleeping rough, encourage them to complete activities that keep them safe and work in partnership with the councils and other housing providers to find housing options as quickly as possible. We then provide support to clients to maintain their accommodation.

If you're looking for a fast paced, busy role, where you can make a real difference in the lives of those who you support, then this is the role for you!

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES

• You will have your own caseload of clients to manage within the community and will work with them on a one to one basis. You will identify their needs by listening to them and put together a client needs assessment and manage risks.
• You will mediate and or negotiate with existing housing providers to ideally prevent homelessness.
• You will help and support individuals by providing advice on housing, welfare benefits, rent deposits and household goods via a variety of schemes.
• You will help clients with the practicalities of moving to new accommodation such as contacting energy suppliers.
• Help individuals develop practical skills further in areas such as budgeting, shopping, cooking, housework, laundry, health and hygiene.
• Carry out drop in surgeries at designated locations.
• Liaise with colleges, training agencies, employers to help people to gain access to education, find work or maintain their benefit entitlement.
• You will be required to participate in the Bi monthly night street counts.

Previous experience in this type of work is not essential but you will have a real passion for wanting to work with homeless people. Your values will match ours, you will be committed to helping others and enjoy the real job satisfaction that this brings.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS

• Clear verbal and written English.
• Good IT and keyboard skills.
• Polite, assertive manner, ability to self‑motivate.
• Passion for working in a client/customer facing role.
• Knowledge of the benefits system and tenancy legislation.
• Have an interest and genuine concern for homelessness and related issues.
• Knowledge of voluntary and statutory agencies.
• A driver licence and access to own transport is essential.