Assessment Support Worker

Recruiting for an Assessment Support Worker to join our Service in Hammersmith and Fulham!

GBP 22,568 per annum, working 40 hours per week, plus 25 days Annual Leave, Pension schemes, Staff discounts, healthcare and more.

Job Overview:

The Coninghams is a 31 bed assessment centre for single homeless men and women that have links within the borough. The accommodation provides 5 separate self contained units and 26 on suite bed rooms, with shared kitchen facilities on each floor. The scheme is staffed 24 hours, with Night Support Workers and Concierge cover during the evenings.

The aim of the project is to assess the individual over an 8-12 week period with the aim of identifying their support and housing needs. In that period we will provide a bed for the customer to assist staff to carry out a detailed assessment to ensure that the recommendation for move on into supported housing is captured correctly. The onus is then on the council to move the individual onto more suitable longer term supported accommodation based on our assessment/recommendation.

The service operates a model of personalised approach in order to address a wide range of presenting complex needs, which could range from mild learning difficulties, substance use (alcohol and drugs), offending, mental health, dual diagnoses, etc. We work closely with outside agencies in order to ensure that the individual is linked into getting the correct support whilst they remain at the assessment centre.

A major part of the Assessment Support Workers role is putting in the foundation with our customers around basic living skills and preparing the individual to be ready to move into alternative supported accommodation.

Key Responsibilities:

• Undertake initial and continuous assessment of needs including support needs and daily living skills. This would include potential risks and an assessment of the customers independent living skills as a whole

• The initial and co-produced assessment will incorporate models of co-production, observation and person-centred planning. This is with a view that it is solution focused as to provide a framework for progression towards independent living

• Liaise with partner agencies in regards to the assessment process seeking advice and guidance as to specialist input and clinical input as part of multi disciplinary assessment process

• Create support/ action plans for providing appropriate services based on the assessment and reflecting the services and resources available

• Empower customers to be part of the local community and active participants in the local community as part of a Recovery Capital model

• Liaise with partner agencies in regards to making referrals where an unmet need has been identified via the multi agency assessment

• Ensure that referrals are chased proactively so that properties which can be used to house those in need are filled as efficiently as possible

• Undertake key-working responsibilities for a caseload assigned by the Team Leader/Manager

• Support customers to undertake all domestic tasks as past of the assessment of daily living skills, including practical assistance where they have not yet developed the skills, to ensure customers enjoy a high quality of accommodation

• Develop and maintain links with all key agencies and service providers in the local community

• Co produce In Reach services at The Coninghams so that we are able to action plan jointly with partner agencies and feed into any action plans in regards to customers support needs e.g. Substance Misuse treatment plans

• Attend training and workshops that are delivered via partner agencies were possible to provide a through and up to date assessment

• Empower customers to ensure they receive the service and benefits they are entitled to, including assessment and support of budgeting and debt management to garner their tenancy readiness

• Undertake all administrative work and keep accurate and comprehensive tenant/customer records to professional standards

• Adhere to Look Ahead’s Policies and Procedures

• Engage in learning and development activity to increase knowledge and skills

• Provide day-to-day instruction of domestic staff/Personal Support Assistants where appropriate

• Undertake any other duties consistent with the grade and nature of the post as may be reasonably assigned

This is not an exhaustive list of all the duties and responsibilities that may be required from time to time and is subject to change in accordance with the needs of Look Ahead.

Person Specification:

• Enjoys social interaction and the company of others, joins in local activities to encourage customer involvement

• Approachable and open behaviour

• Prefers working as part of a group or team

• Is fundamentally calm and resilient, does not let emotion adversely affect them or obscure their judgement

• Has a practical and logical mind and is naturally well organised

• Thrives on change and enjoys dynamic diverse environments

• Is confident with high levels of self-esteem

• Is respectful, articulate and sensitive in style of communication

• Is essentially customer–focused

• Is motivated towards excellence and improvement of personal performance with a can do attitude

• Ability to cope positively with challenging and diverse behaviours

Skills, Knowledge and Experience:

Essential:

• NVQ Level 2/3 or equivalent with little or some previous relevant sector work experience

Desirable:

• Experience working in homelessness

If your application for this role is unsuccessful, but we feel that you would be suitable for another role, we may contact you to discuss alternative opportunities. If this occurs you would not need to submit another application for the alternative role.

We reserve the right to close this advert early if we are able to appoint to the vacancy before the advertised closed date.

We are committed to diversity and inclusion at work and are accredited with the Inclusive Employers Standard 2020. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds.