Specialist Support Worker

Focus Resourcing; Southend-on-Sea; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 32,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

£28,681 per year

Job summary

Focus Resourcing is seeking a Specialist Support Worker in Southend-on-Sea to support residents facing homelessness and complex needs. The role involves office, outreach and home-based work, 37 hours weekly, on a temporary to fixed-term contract, with a salary of £28,681 per year.

The post requires shift work within a seven-day rota, enhanced DBS (or in post), and a full driving licence with access to a vehicle.

Qualifications

• Has experience supporting vulnerable adults with complex needs.
• Can build positive relationships with hard-to-reach individuals.
• Is organized, resilient and can manage a varied caseload.
• Has excellent communication and problem-solving skills.
• Committed to helping people achieve positive outcomes and independence.

Responsibilities

• Deliver high-quality, customer-focused support services that promote independence and tenancy sustainment.
• Manage a caseload of customers with complex needs with tailored support.
• Conduct strength-based and risk assessments and review plans.
• Engage with customers across outreach, home visits and hostel settings.
• Assist customers to access accommodation and prevent homelessness.
• Support budgeting, household management and welfare benefits access.
• Promote financial wellbeing and income maximization.
• Help customers develop living skills and positive relationships.
• Facilitate access to health, mental health and social services.
• Advocate for customers and promote self-advocacy.
• Collaborate with council, health, housing and voluntary partners.
• Maintain case records and monitor safeguarding concerns.
• Develop partnerships to improve outcomes for residents.
• Work flexible hours including evenings and weekends.

Skills

Experience with complex needs

Strong communication

Job description

Specialist Support Worker required on a temporary to fixed term contract basis, to join a small, close-knit team to support residents facing homelessness, poor mental health, substance misuse, social exclusion and other complex challenges. Working 37 hours a week, Monday - Friday, the salary will be £28,681.

This is a rewarding opportunity to work directly with vulnerable adults, helping them sustain their tenancies, access vital services and build the confidence and skills needed to live independently.

You'll provide intensive, person-centred support through a mixture of office-based work, outreach and home visits, working alongside housing, health, social care and voluntary sector partners.

This post includes shift work, being part of a seven-day rota. Enhanced DBS check required or can be carried out once in post. Full driving licence and access to a vehicle is required.

Duties

• Deliver high-quality, customer-focused support services that promote independence, wellbeing and tenancy sustainment
• Manage a caseload of customers with complex and multiple needs, providing tailored support based on assessed needs
• Undertake strength-based assessments, risk assessments and support planning exercises, reviewing support plans regularly to ensure customer progress
• Engage proactively and assertively with customers who may be difficult to engage, including working from the Complex Needs Hostel as well as conducting home visits, community-based support and outreach work where appropriate
• Support customers to access and sustain suitable accommodation and prevent homelessness
• Assist customers to establish and maintain successful tenancies, including support with budgeting, household management, utility accounts and accessing welfare benefits
• Promote financial wellbeing and support customers to maximise income and reduce debt
• Assist customers to develop positive relationships and build resilience, confidence and independent living skills
• Support customers to access primary healthcare, mental health services, substance misuse services, social care, employment, education and training opportunities
• Advocate on behalf of customers where appropriate and promote self-advocacy wherever possible
• Work collaboratively with Southend-on-Sea City Council, healthcare providers, registered housing providers, probation services, police, community mental health teams and voluntary sector organisations
• Maintain accurate case records, support plans, risk assessments and performance information using company systems
• Monitor and respond appropriately to safeguarding concerns
• Assist in developing effective partnerships that improve outcomes for vulnerable residents
• Work flexibly, including participating in a rota that covers evening and weekend working as required by the service

Benefits

• £28,681 annum

Desirable Experience

• Has experience supporting vulnerable adults with complex needs
• Can build positive relationships and engage people who are often hard to reach
• Is organised, resilient and able to manage a varied caseload
• Has excellent communication and problem-solving skills
• Is committed to helping people achieve positive outcomes and independence