BOSS Peer Mentor

Introduction

The Wallich is a homelessness charity delivering innovative housing and support services to homeless and vulnerably housed people. The Organisation formed in 1978 in Cardiff and now supports around 8000 people a year across Wales. Our work falls into four principal areas:

1. Residential supported housing projects, including direct access hostels, emergency night shelters and accommodation for people with specific issues such as substance misuse, youth services etc.

2. Floating (Tenancy) support projects in which we support people who have tenancy difficulties, sometimes with a contributing health or other need, and are in danger of losing their homes.

3. Prevention or intervention projects supplied through Homelessness Prevention Grant funding which are a broad range of services that prevent homelessness or make life better for homeless people.

4. Participation and Progression services, which are embedded in all our projects enhancing support through providing opportunities for Service Users to take an active part in their community. These services include those designed to enable people to move into meaningful activities including employment and training opportunities.

The Wallich’s values are of empowerment and treating people with dignity, respect and unconditional positive regard. The Wallich is committed to providing services that are trauma informed and delivered with Psychologically Informed Environments (PIE) at the heart of its support. A PIE is an approach to supporting people out of homelessness whilst making significant and positive progress in overcoming trauma, substance misuse and mental illness. It also considers the psychological needs of staff: developing skills and knowledge, increasing motivation, job satisfaction and resilience. At the heart of what we do are the people we support, who are actively and meaningfully involved in their own support and encouraged to participate in the design, development and delivery of services.

Project Description

BOSS (Building Opportunities, Skills & Success) is an innovative National Lottery Community Fund and Moondance Foundation funded programme for people with offending backgrounds. BOSS aims to reduce reoffending and unemployment by providing pre & post-release mentoring and support to men and women across South Wales

BOSS supports people with offending backgrounds to improve their resilience, wellbeing and employability through intense mentoring and support, providing access to counselling, and creating access to learning and training opportunities. The project also works with corporate partners to create sustainable pathways into employment.

Purpose of Role

The post holder will support the team with their delivery of the BOSS training programmes, prison based learning programme of pre-employment soft skills, community based interventions and provide effective administration support to the project.

The post holder will be responsible for assessing, managing and allocating referrals into the project from external partners

Provide mentoring and peer support to BOSS Project beneficiaries, working alongside other areas of The Wallich and stakeholders.

This role falls within the Participation & Progression Team supporting the implementation of the Involvement, Learning, Volunteering Strategy.

This post is ring-fenced for people with lived experience of the criminal justice sytem and/or homelessness.

This post is subject to satisfactory a Basic Disclosure & Prison Security Clearance.

No Agencies.

We do not accept unsolicited agency referrals for this position and do not consider any applicants, to have been introduced to us via agency.

Main Duties, Responsibilities and Person Profile

1. Project Delivery

To ensure that Service Users are aware of the mission, aims and objectives, policies and procedures of the BOSS project

To ensure that all Service Users are treated fairly and afforded equality of opportunity.

To support Service Users with particular reference to:

Providing Peer Support to prison leavers and people with convictions residing in South Wales

Manage a small caseload, providing transitional support and one to one mentoring

Writing risk assessments for clients on your caseload

Carrying out the day to day tasks and activities of Service Users’ journey plans.

Applying the basic principles of various conversational skill sets to the benefit of Service Users.

Providing information, advice and guidance that enable Service users to make informed decisions about their needs and support.

Actively involving Service Users in their support, the project and/or organisation.

Making referrals to and liaising with relevant agencies, including The Wallich Reflections Network, with or on behalf of Service Users.

Supporting the Mentor in reviewing needs, risks and support plans.

Discussing and observing Service User’s levels of control, understanding and involvement and providing this information to a project Mentors and Coordinator.

Representing and advocating with/for Service Users.

Implementing a realistic, manageable and controlled planned service withdrawal.

Support Learning & Employment Mentors with the delivery of prison based soft skills training and drop in appointments as required.

2. Provide general and finance administration for the project

Manage referrals from partner agencies, assessing their suitability for the project

To maintain accurate and up to date records of every aspect of Service Users’ issues and support according to procedure.

Organise, facilitate and service meetings, including minute taking as required

Assist with Health & Safety administration where required

Other general administration duties as determined by the Project Manager

3. To assist in the overall running of the project

To work in line with all Wallich policies and procedures

Work in a trauma informed way in line with the guidelines set out in The Wallich’s Psychologically Informed Environment Strategy

To undertake relevant training

To participate in own supervision

To report to manager regularly informing him/her of issues arising during the course of the project that may require policy decisions

To ensure adequate administration records are kept

To ensure and maintain high standards of cleanliness, hygiene and adherence to Health and Safety regulations for project office(s).

To develop links with voluntary and statutory bodies for the benefit of the Service User

To take part in all aspects of lone working as directed by the policy

To partake in a team handover where applicable

To undertake other duties within the remit of the post

4. Communication & Networking

Professionally represent BOSS and the organisation internally and externally

To attend network events to source new opportunities for participants or other sector specific events to keep abreast of changes affecting participants

To assist with the development of publicity materials and promotion of BOSS in conjunction with Public Relations

5. Systems & Paperwork

To update relevant databases and paperwork in relation to client progress

To operate in compliance with relevant legislation, best practice and organisational policies

To follow appropriate risk assessments

6. Team working & collaboration

Develop successful relationships with Wallich teams and partner agencies

7. Other

To work and travel across the assigned geographical area of work, with occasional travel across South Wales

To work flexibly and to undertake occasional work outside of normal office hours if required

To undertake other duties within the remit of the post

The list of duties and responsibilities is not an exhaustive one and may be varied from time to time by the Manager. This job description is subject to regular review.

Person Profile

1. Experience & Qualification

Lived experience of the Criminal Justice System and/or Homelessness is essential

Experience of recording your work in paper or digital systems is desirable

Experience of working with vulnerable people

Experience of delivering support is desirable

2. Personal Qualities & Competencies

Understand the importance of confidentiality

Able to engage with a variety of people, understanding and valuing diversity

Able to manage conflict and deal with challenging situations.

Able to work within professional boundaries

Able to build beneficial relationships with a range of agencies

Act as role model to BOSS Project service users

3. Other

Ability to communicate in Welsh is desirable but not essential

Access to own vehicle is desirable but not essential

Interviews via MS Teams on 27 July 2021