Project Worker, Housing First, South East

HireHive; Kilkenny; On-site; EUR 35,000 - 48,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equal opportunities employer

Job summary

Focus Ireland in Kilkenny is seeking a Project Worker for Housing First to support people experiencing homelessness and help them move into secure housing with no preconditions. The role involves outreach, assessments, case management, and collaboration with local authorities and health services.

Applicants should hold a Social Care degree (or CORU registration) with leadership experience and strong record-keeping. A commitment to service improvement and flexible work hours is essential.

Qualifications

• Third-level qualification in Social Care or CORU-registered equivalent.
• 2 years’ experience in residential social care services.
• Experience leading teams and supervising staff.
• Strong recording, reporting and information management skills.

Responsibilities

• Engage with people sleeping rough in Kilkenny and connect to services.
• Assess housing needs and support access to local authority housing and entitlements.
• Provide key-working support across health, mental health, addiction, and independence.
• Maintain participant records and report to Focus Ireland.
• Participate in team meetings and service improvement initiatives.

Skills

Social Care Degree

CORU Registration

Leadership

Behavioural support

Record Keeping

Change Management

Education

Social Care Degree

CORU Registration

Job description

Project Worker, Housing First, South East

Location: Kilkenny

Contract: Full Time, 1 Year Fixed Term

The Purpose of this role is to support people who are sleeping rough and/or experiencing long-term and multiple exclusion homelessness to move into secure, permanent housing at the earliest opportunity, without preconditions for sobriety or treatment compliance.

What you will do:

Making Contact

• Engage with people sleeping rough and/or experiencing long-term or multiple exclusion homelessness in Kilkenny.
• Work collaboratively with Outreach, Emergency Accommodation and other relevant services, including following up on referrals from the Homeless Action Team (HAT).
• Explain the Housing First Service, available supports and how the model differs from other approaches.
• Signpost to appropriate services and obtain consent for referrals, advocacy, record-keeping and information sharing.

Housing Assessment, Access & Allocation

• Assess housing needs, priorities and risks using agreed assessment tools.
• Support participants to access Local Authority housing, HAP/RAS and relevant social welfare entitlements.
• Identify housing preferences, arrange viewings and support participants to make informed choices.
• Liaise and advocate with Local Authorities, the Department of Social Protection, landlords and other relevant agencies.
• Follow the Housing First approach, including housing without preconditions and supporting re-housing where tenancies break down.

Key Working, Support Plans & Case Management

• Complete assessments, risk management plans and individual support plans based on each participant’s needs and choices.
• Provide key-working support across areas including health, mental health, addiction, independent living, employment, education and relationships.
• Coordinate with health, housing, social welfare and other agencies to ensure participants can access appropriate supports and entitlements.
• Provide practical tenancy and independent living support through home visits, advocacy and skills development.
• Work collaboratively with internal and external services, including case management and Homeless Action Team meetings where required.

Addressing Problems & Tenancy Breakdown

• Ensure tenants understand their rights and responsibilities under the Residential Tenancies Act.
• Identify issues that may threaten tenancy stability and coordinate appropriate support with tenants, landlords and relevant services.
• Advocate for participants while maintaining positive relationships with landlords, neighbours and partner agencies.
• Continue supporting participants following tenancy breakdown and work towards re-housing at the earliest opportunity.

Induction to Accommodation

• Attend property viewings and support participants with their move into suitable accommodation.
• Introduce tenants to their property and local amenities where required.
• Explain tenancy agreements, accommodation details, rights and responsibilities.
• Provide guidance on fire safety, health and safety, and the Housing First service model.

Accommodation

• Advocate with external agencies to secure appropriate housing for participants.
• Report property defects and support the timely completion of repairs.
• Maintain positive relationships with landlords, property owners and housing providers.
• Support tenants to maintain successful and sustainable tenancies.

Finance

• Maintain accurate petty cash records and receipts.
• Work with Housing Officers and relevant colleagues to address rent arrears or payment issues.
• Ensure participants access appropriate benefits and financial entitlements.

Record Keeping

• Maintain accurate, professional and up-to-date participant records, including PASS records.
• Produce required statistics and reports for Focus Ireland and statutory agencies/funders.
• Complete weekly, monthly, quarterly and annual reports as required.
• Participate in project monitoring and evaluation.

Research & Service Improvement

• Participate in relevant research, audits and quality improvement initiatives.
• Contribute to service improvement plans arising from evaluation and audit findings.
• Seek and incorporate service-user feedback into service development.
• Remain flexible in responding to changing service needs and new initiatives.

Teamwork & Personal Development

• Work collaboratively within the team while effectively managing an individual caseload.
• Build strong working relationships with voluntary, statutory and interdisciplinary partner agencies.
• Participate in team meetings, HAT meetings, working groups, planning days and supervision as required.
• Engage in ongoing training, professional development and reflective practice.
• Contribute to best practice and the overall objectives of Focus Ireland.

General

• Support the implementation and development of Focus Ireland, HSE and Local Authority services and initiatives.
• Work in line with relevant Homeless Strategies, operational plans and service standards.
• Participate in service monitoring, evaluation, audit and quality improvement initiatives.
• Work flexibly, including unsociable hours where required, and carry out other appropriate duties assigned by the Line Manager.
• Maintain awareness of risk management and relevant HIQA, HSE and National Standards for Homeless Services.

What you will need:

• A third-level qualification at degree level in Social Care or a related area, such as Youth Work, Social Studies, Addiction Studies, Psychology, or similar, and/or be a CORU-registered Social Care Worker.
• 2 years’ experience in residential social care services; preferably in the homeless sector.
• leadership experience in social care services,including supervision of social care staff would be a distinct advantage.
• Extensive experience in working with behaviours that may challenge and supporting care-staff in similar environments.
• Supporting organisational change in a complex environment.
• Recording, reporting and information management.

Focus Ireland is an equal opportunities employer

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