Engagement Worker

Homeless Link; Bedford; On-site; GBP 29,000 - 35,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days annual leave

Employer Pension Contribution

Blue Light Discount Card

Job summary

Social Interest Group (SIG) in Bedford is seeking an Engagement Worker to provide social contact and support residents in a 19-bed residential service. The role aims to enhance quality of life, personal safety, health, tenancy sustainment, and independence.

You will run activities, assist with appointments, deliver one-to-one support, and arrange events in or outside the service while building empowering relationships with residents.

Qualifications

• Experience with people of complex backgrounds and homelessness.
• Able to show empathy and compassion to residents.
• Flexible working patterns.
• Ability to promote the service and liaise with stakeholders.
• Understanding of needs of people with multiple and complex needs.
• Alignment with values: Ambition, Empowerment, Inclusivity, Transparency.

Responsibilities

• Ensure the safety and wellbeing of residents and participants at all times.
• Empower residents to take control over their lives and meet personal goals.
• Plan activities to engage residents with other people, communities, and opportunities.
• Build trusting professional relationships with residents and support goal attainment.
• Be a reliable team member and handover for night colleagues.

Skills

Empathy and compassion

Communication skills

Building rapport

Flexibility

Outreach liaison

Understanding homelessness

IT literacy

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Job Title: Engagement Worker

Location: Bedford - Unfortunately there is no step free access available at this service.

Salary: £26,200

Shift Pattern: 21 hours per week Monday to Sunday 08:00- 16:00 or 09:00-17:00 or 12:00 - 21:00 per rota. You may be required to work outside these hours as per service requirements such as bank holidays and evenings.

About the Role

We’re looking for an Engagement Worker to join our 19 bed residential service in Bedford, just a short walk from the town centre. You will support with various responsibilities within the service, with a focus on providing social contact and company to help enhance quality of life, personal safety, health and security, sustainment of tenancy and improving financial independence. You will offering a safe, peaceful and supportive living environment for individuals wishing to engage with support to assist them in increasing their levels of independence.

Each day will look different from running or joining activities, supporting with appointments, to delivering one to one support sessions and arranging events in or outside the service. Your work will help residents build the skills they need to move forward and live more independently in the community.

Some key responsibilities include:

• Ensuring the safety and wellbeing of residents and participants at all times
• Focusing on empowering our residents to take control over their lives and meet their personal goals
• Planning activities to engage residents with other people, communities, and opportunities
• Building trusting professional relationships with residents, helping them to achieve their goals and aspirations which could be through tailored one to one sessions, group sessions, in and out of service activities, and general wellbeing check ins
• Be a valued and reliable member of the team, completing handovers for night colleagues for a seamless service

About You

We’re looking for someone with a genuine passion and felt purpose to help people, challenge stigma, and make a real difference to people’s lives! We are looking for a team player, driven to provide high quality care and support to others, an effective communicator who is able to build rapport with others from various backgrounds. You will be compassionate, supportive, and empowering to others, whilst able to form effective, positive and motivational relationships.

• Experience of working with people of complex backgrounds and/or a good understanding of the sector, particularly around multiple and complex needs and homelessness
• Ability to show empathy and compassion to our residents, and different challenges they face
• Ability to use, learn and adapt to IT at an intermediate level, including Microsoft and other software programs
• Ability and willingness to show flexibility of working patterns, responding to the needs of the service and residents
• Ability to promote the service and provide outreach-based provision, with an ability to liaise and work effectively in partnership with stakeholders
• Understanding of the different needs people with multiple and complex needs have and be aware of the social marginalisation that can be attached to people who face personal challenges
• Alignment with our values of Ambition, Empowerment, Inclusivity, and Transparency

Please refer to the JDPS attached for more details on the vacancy and our requirements/key criteria.

What we Offer

• 25 days (Full time equivalent) annual leave, increasing with the length of service
• Employer Pension Contribution
• Eligibility to register with Blue Light Discount Card
• Access to discounted tickets for music events, shows, sports and more
• Reflective Practice regular sessions with a therapist provided by an external provider to support Mental Health and Wellbeing at work
• Training and Development, including access to courses, upskilling, and progression plans
• Employee Assistance Programme, including counselling
• Life Assurance Scheme
• Cycle-to-work scheme
• Annual Staff Awards
• EDI Ambassador programme

About Social Interest Group (SIG)

SIG is a not-for-profit organisation providing thousands of people with good-quality support and care in residential, drop-in centres, community floating support settings, probation settings, and hospitals. We do so across London, Brighton, Bedfordshire, Luton, Kent and Liverpool. Our goal is to transform lives through empowering change.

We believe good care and support improves lives with the vision to create healthier, safer, and more inclusive communities. Join us on our mission to empower independence through trauma-informed solutions and dynamic partnerships that keep people out of prison, out of hospital, and off the streets.

Want to know how we work? Watch our short Theory of Change video to see how we support people towards a brighter future: Theory of Change Further details can be found on our website here: Theory of Change - Social Interest Group - Social Interest Group.

Additional Information

Please note that this job advert may close early due to screening applications on an ongoing basis. We advise applying as soon as possible for your application to be taken into consideration at the early stages.

Please note that as part of our process, we complete an enhanced DBS check, some roles may require further vetting. We encourage applicants from all backgrounds. If you have any questions regarding this, please contact us on the details below.

For Recruitment related enquiries, or if you need support with making your application for example due to learning needs or a disability, please email [e-mail] or call our central office on 020 3668 9270 to request a call back. Please note that this will take you through to our Central Administration team, who will then communicate your enquiry with us and we will arrange to call you back.

Unfortunately, we are unable to provide sponsorship, please ensure you have full right to work in the UK prior to applying to our positions.

Additional information on our company policies including Gender Pay, Equality and Diversity, Company Benefits and our Candidate Privacy Policy can be found on our website.