Project Worker - Complex Needs

Corus Consultancy; Leicester; On-site; GBP 20,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

Corus Consultancy is seeking a Support Worker to provide essential support for clients with complex needs, including substance misuse and mental health issues. The role requires managing a caseload, conducting assessments, and advocating for clients in a psychologically-informed environment. Ideal candidates should have experience in supported accommodation services and possess strong analytical and IT skills to empower clients towards independence.

Qualifications

• Experience working with clients with complex needs.
• Understanding of trauma-informed approaches.
• Experience delivering personalized assessments and casework.

Responsibilities

• Hold and manage a caseload of key clients for substance misuse support.
• Conduct risk and needs assessments with clients.
• Build and maintain relationships with stakeholders and external agencies.

Skills

Analytical skills

Strong IT skills

Ability to engage clients

Calm response to crises

Job description

The successful candidate will be required to work 37.5 hours per week, on a rota basis covering Monday to Sunday, with early (8AM - 4PM) and late (2:30PM - 10:30PM) shifts. Temporary cover is needed for approximately 2-3 months, with a possible extension based on performance.

In this position, you will be expected to:

1. Hold a caseload of 8 key clients and conduct regular key working sessions resulting in Support Plans focusing on substance misuse support, developing independent living skills, planning move-on options, and safeguarding concerns.
2. Complete comprehensive risk and needs assessments with clients who may be ambivalent or have had difficult prior experiences with services.
3. Respond to referrals within agreed timescales for both in-house and new scheme referrals via specialist input.
4. Identify care pathways and treatment options, supporting clients to participate in treatment settings.
5. Coach service users, advocate on their behalf, and make referrals to relevant services.
6. Build and maintain relationships with stakeholders, including other services, external agencies, treatment providers, service user groups, and peer-led groups.
7. Work with residents to maximise benefit entitlements, secure income through rent collection, and minimise arrears and void loss.
8. Assist residents with budgeting skills and setting up bank or savings accounts.
9. Ensure timely preparation and re-letting of voids to maximise income.
10. Respond in a psychologically-informed way to challenges posed by complex needs in a residential setting.
11. Monitor, record, report, and follow up on maintenance issues, and participate in housing management procedures such as room, locality, and health & safety checks.

Please note: this role involves lone working.

To apply, you must have:

• Experience working with clients with complex needs, including substance use, offending, mental health issues, street activity, anti-social behaviour, physical health issues, and trauma backgrounds.
• Experience in supported accommodation services for adults and understanding of trauma-informed approaches.
• Experience in delivering personalized assessments, casework, support planning, goal setting, advocacy, and sharing this knowledge.
• Analytical skills, calm response to crises, and ability to handle complex situations safely and creatively.
• Understanding of issues disrupting progress towards independence, such as mental health, substance misuse, self-harm, domestic violence, anger management, learning impairments, and frailty.
• Understanding of the Strengths and Recovery Model and ability to apply it within a Psychologically Informed Environment (PIE).
• Ability to engage, support, and motivate clients through activities, group work, and treatment engagement.
• Strong IT skills, including Microsoft Office and database systems, for accurate record-keeping.
• Confidence, reliability, and passion for empowering clients to achieve positive outcomes.
• Previous experience with Inform is essential.