Project Worker - Access Housing Unit

Threshold; Ireland; On-site; EUR 32,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

Threshold is seeking a Project Worker for the Access Housing Unit in Ireland to support people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. The role delivers time-limited tenancy support to help secure and sustain accommodation, liaising with referral agents and welfare services.

Reporting to the Assistant Manager, the post is full-time permanent (37.5 hours) with a pro-active outreach focus. Probation, holidays, and a multi-agency collaborative environment are offered as part of the role.

Qualifications

• Two years’ experience in a similar/related role?
• Non-judgmental and empathetic approach in dealing with service users.
• Ability to deal with challenging behaviour.
• Willingness to work as part of a team and independently.
• Flexible with a commitment to high standards of work and customer care.
• Practical experience of assessment, planned support and advocacy with marginalised people.

Responsibilities

• Liaise with referral agents to discuss referrals.
• Provide information to clients on the operation of the service.
• Support clients in accessing accommodation.
• Meet with and assess clients to ensure they can live independently.
• Support clients to make the transition to independent living with pre-tenancy training and support.
• Support clients to process HAP Applications and liaise with Cork City and County Council.
• Provide Tenancy Sustainment to individuals identified in need of support to sustain their tenancy.
• Ensure a detailed needs assessment is completed to adequately support the client to maintain their accommodation.
• Mediate in landlord-tenant disputes where appropriate, particularly where the tenancy is at risk.
• Provide landlords with information on the operation of the service.
• Deliver outreach services through visiting support.
• Develop time limited support plans with agreed goals to address individual tenant’s needs.
• Adapt a Case Management approach by advocating on behalf of clients to ensure they achieve their support plan goals.
• Accompany clients to appointments with the DSP to apply for Exceptional Needs Payments and assist with welfare queries when required.
• Empower clients to respond to issues which arise by signposting service users to relevant support agencies.
• Recognise and respond to social isolation among service users and devise a plan to address this support need.
• Liaise with other Threshold services making referrals as appropriate.
• Respond to social issues which may present i.e., addiction, mental health, domestic violence, child protection concerns or anti-social behaviour.
• Work in partnership with Local Department Representatives, Cork City, Cork County Council, support and outreach workers in homeless services and other statutory and voluntary agencies as appropriate.
• Ensure that targets are achieved as set out in relation to performance indicators and standards for the service.
• Represent the AHU and Threshold at various external meetings, events, training, and forums.

Job description

Job Title: Project Worker - Access Housing Unit

Purpose of Job:

To support people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness to secure and sustain their accommodation by providing the relevant supports. To deliver time-limited tenancy support services to ensure tenancies can be sustained.

Reports to: Assistant Manager, Access Housing Unit

Contract: Full time permanent

Salary: €36,000 per annum

CORU registration desirable

Principal Duties

• Liaise with referral agents to discuss referrals.
• Provide information to clients on the operation of the service.
• Support clients in accessing accommodation.
• Meet with and assess clients to ensure they can live independently.
• Support clients to make the transition to independent living providing pre-tenancy training and support where appropriate.
• Support clients to process HAP Applications and liaise with Cork City and County Council.
• Provide Tenancy Sustainment to individuals identified in need of support to sustain their tenancy.
• Ensure a detailed needs assessment is completed to adequately support the client to maintain their accommodation.
• Mediate in landlord-tenant disputes where appropriate, particularly where the tenancy is at risk.
• Provide landlords with information on the operation of the service.
• Deliver outreach services through visiting support.
• Develop time limited support plans with agreed goals to address individual tenant’s needs.
• Adapt a Case Management approach by advocating on behalf of clients to ensure they achieve their support plan goals.
• Accompany clients to appointments with the DSP to apply for Exceptional Needs Payments and assist with any welfare queries when required.
• Empower clients to respond to issues which arise by signposting service users to relevant support agencies.
• Recognise and respond to social isolation among service users and devise a plan to address this support need.
• Liaise with other Threshold services making referrals as appropriate.
• Respond to social issues which may present i.e., addiction, mental health, domestic violence, child protection concerns or anti-social behaviour.
• Work in partnership with Local Department Representatives, Cork City, Cork County Council, support and outreach workers in homeless services and other statutory and voluntary agencies as appropriate.
• Ensure that targets are achieved as set out in relation to performance indicators and standards for the service.
• Represent the AHU and Threshold at various external meetings, events, training, and forums.

Ideal Candidate

• At least two years’ experience in a similar/related role.
• Non-judgmental and empathetic approach in dealing with service users, with a commitment to securing housing rights for those who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.
• Ability to deal with and work with challenging behaviour.
• Willingness to work as part of a team and also the ability to work independently.
• Flexible, with a commitment to very high standards of work and customer care.
• Practical experience of assessment, planned support and advocacy with marginalised people.

Hours

The position is full time (37.5 hours per week) and while the office is open from Monday-Friday 9.00am-5.30pm, the role requires flexibility from the post holder. Likewise, flexibility will be granted from the employer.

Holidays

– 22 days per annum. One additional day will be accrued for every two years worked up to a maximum of 25 days on a pro rata basis. Thereafter one additional day is accrued for every five years worked on a pro rata basis.

Probation – 6 Months probationary period