Homeless Support Worker

Two Saints; Wokingham; On-site; GBP 20,000 - 30,000; Part time

Job summary

A leading organization in Wokingham seeks a dedicated part-time support worker to assist vulnerable young people. The role involves case management, developing support plans, and engaging with various agencies to ensure clients achieve their goals. Ideal candidates will have strong communication skills and experience working with young people. This dynamic position offers the chance to make a meaningful impact on the lives of those supported.

Qualifications

• Professional experience with vulnerable young people preferred.
• Knowledge of safeguarding children and adults preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead case management of clients and support them in achieving their goals.
• Assess client needs and develop individual support plans.
• Engage with local authorities and create constructive relationships.

Skills

Communication

Team Working

Crisis Management

Education

Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service Check

Tools

Microsoft Outlook

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Word

Job description

This is a Permanent , Part Time vacancy that will close in 2 months at 23:59 BST .

The Vacancy

PART TIME - 28hrs

4 shifts on 4 shifts off - Early, Late and Weekend shifts

Wokingham Young People Services provides 24/7 support for up to seven young people aged 16-21 care leavers and looked after children.

Our aim is to support to young people with their individual needs to enable them to gain life skills to move on to lower or independent supported living.

This is a fast paced, energetic service. If you are looking for an exciting role, where you’ll be making a difference in the lives of those you support, then this is the role for you!

JOB PURPOSE

To lead on the case management of clients and be part of a team that supports them in keeping them safe and helping them achieve their goals.

To provide people with homes and specialist support so they feel more valued and secure, and ready to take the next steps.

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES

• To assess the needs of each client, helping to develop their individual support plan to achieve their goals
• To produce and regularly review comprehensive client-based risk assessments
• To manage a caseload of clients on a one-to-one basis
• To support clients to gain and/or maintain accommodation or achieve outcomes defined by the service specification
• To engage with local authorities, health providers and other agencies, creating and maintaining constructive working relationships to maximise the opportunities available to clients
• To lead on client activities to help them gain practical life skills and encourage their engagement with the running of the service
• To support clients with managing their finances, paying rent, managing arrears and accessing benefits
• To encourage and signpost clients to the local community and to resources relevant to their aspirations including education, training, employment activity or volunteering
• To support clients in trauma informed and psychologically informed ways
• To adhere to safeguarding responsibilities, following our safeguarding policy and procedure
• To help maintain health and safety, ensuring clients, visitors and buildings are safe in accordance with Health and Safety regulations, policy and procedures
• To provide basic first aid assistance until help arrives (full training is provided)
• To work confidently and efficiently when lone working
• To maintain accurate records on our client management system and ensure these are stored in line with GDPR
• To maintain confidentiality
• To represent the organisation in a professional manner
• To carry out any other reasonable duties required in the interest of the organisation

ROLE REQUIREMENTS

• This role will require an Enhanced with Barred List(s) disclosure and barring service check is a requirement for this role. This would be completed on appointment of the role
• This role may require a full drivers’ licence and access to a vehicle
• This role will require you to work with clients on a one-to-one basis
• This role will require you to work nights and/or weekends
• This role will require you to lone work
• Professional experience with working with vulnerable young people a preference
• Knowledge of safeguarding children and adults a preference
• Knowledge of childhood ACE's a preference
• This is a varied role with lots of opportunity to learn news skills supporting various client groups within the care leavers sector
• Great opportunities to progress for the right candidate

ESSENTIAL CRITERIA

• Strong communication skills, both verbal and written
• Clear verbal and written English
• Good working knowledge of Microsoft Outlook, Excel and Word
• Confident and assertive manner
• Ability to self-motivate as you will work on your own
• Effective team working
• Ability to respond calmly to crisis
• Deal promptly with and effectively react to challenging situations
• Have an interest and genuine concern for homelessness and related issues

DESIRABLE CRITERIA

• Experience of managing a caseload of clients
• Understanding of risk assessment and person-centred, outcomes-based delivery
• Understanding of the support needs of people experiencing homelessness or those with complex needs
• Knowledge of voluntary and statutory agencies, housing regulations and the benefits system

We reserve the right to close our adverts early if a successful candidate is found, so please submit your application as soon as possible.

About Us

We offer support to people who are homeless, vulnerable or at risk of becoming homeless and need help rebuilding their lives for a brighter future. Our services include safe, flexible and reliable client led housing and support with a focus on reducing homelessness, improving health and wellbeing and building on individual’s skills and resilience to break the cycle of homelessness, poverty and exclusion.

We work in partnership with multiple agencies and authorities to deliver support and accommodation needs across Berkshire, Hampshire, Isle of Wight and Dorset.

We are dedicated to safeguarding all young people and adults with our services. We follow safer recruitment practices for all our vacancies to assure that all successful candidates are suitable to work with our clients.

We’re committed to creating an inclusive and diverse workforce that embodies our values and promotes a tolerant and respectful environment where everyone can feel empowered to succeed.

We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds and will support with any reasonable adjustments needed during the recruitment process.