Move On Specialist

Recruiting for a Move On Specialist to join our Service!

GBP 23,543 per annum, working 40 hours per week, plus 25 days Annual Leave, Pension schemes, Staff discounts, healthcare and more.

Job Overview:
Move On Specialist Workers within Look Ahead are required to have an in-depth level of knowledge in regards to the move on pathways for YP, HB and be comfortable with lone working within a complex hostel with 9 young people. The move on specialist will also be engaging with the landlord of the service and be heavily involved in the H&S of the service they are based at.
The Young People in Milton Keynes services will be a mix of children in need, looked after children and care leavers (as well as those who are not open to social services) as well as Unaccompanied Asylum Seekers.
The young people will have complex and multifaceted needs. This could include emotional and mental health issues, drug and alcohol misuse, partaking in criminal activity and anti-social behaviours or being at risk of sexual exploitation.
Whilst the majority of young people referred will not yet be ready to live fully independently, they will be ready to begin the transition to adulthood and develop their independent living skills. The young people will require a supportive, structured and stable environment with clear boundaries in which to do this.
Move on specialists will work, to some extent, with all YP across the MK YP pathway. (52 young people in total). They will meet with new residents to explain their move on pathway based on their care statues in order to prepare the YP for that move as well as support the YP’s allocated support worker in contacting housing officers, writing duty to refer and allocations scheme referrals. The move on specialist will also have in-depth knowledge on areas of housing benefit, UC & housing management systems.
The move on specialist should be an experienced point of contact for their colleagues, form partnerships with external agencies and housing officers. You would work as part of a team of support workers and specialists, providing support to the rest of the team as needed.
As a move on specialist you will also be required to have a general knowledge higher than that of a support worker in order to guide more inexperienced staff.
Lastly, The move on specialist worker will have a caseload of between 9 young people as a maximum and will be required to lone work for the majority of their shift.
Milton Keynes Young Person’s Service implements and promotes the Psychologically Informed Environment (PIE) model. This is an approach which was developed to support people out of homelessness, in particular those who have experienced complex trauma or are diagnosed with a personality disorder. However, its application is far broader than only homelessness. It considers the psychological needs of staff: developing skills and knowledge, increasing motivation, job satisfaction and resilience.

Key Responsibilities:

• Building supportive, trusting relationships with customers and external partners, creating a positive atmosphere

• Leading on the move on of young people from the service.

• Be responsible for monitoring and updating all relevant information on Look Ahead`s housing management database including inputting all new customers and removing old customers.

• Conducting regular key work sessions that are innovative and engaging in order to achieve Support plan goals

• Ensuring all customer`s Housing Benefit claims (for your service) are made and maintained correctly.

• Ensuring all customers are supported to have the most appropriate payment method (rent payment cards, direct debit etc.) for their individual circumstances to ensure easy payment of their rent and/or arrears. This may include third party deductions.

• Responding to any Staff queries relating to young person’s Move On.

• Ensuring that all customers are kept informed of their rent account status regularly and that action plans are agreed with customers to address any arrears or other rent related issues promptly.

• Maintaining spreadsheets associated with Move On

• Undertake health and safety checks to include regular testing, inspections and assessments in accordance with Look Ahead’ Health & Safety procedures.

• Complete and support staff to complete, allocations scheme referrals, Duty to refer and also meet with housing officers with staff in regards to their YP’s move on.

• Meet with all residents across the service regarding their Move On pathway.

• Conducting void inspections and monitoring maintenance requests to ensure response times are met.

• Conducting and recording health and safety checks, ensuring any actions required are undertaken in conjunction with the Fire safety Officer and support staff.

• Maintain records as required at the project under the direction of the Service Manager;

• Participate in team meetings, 1:1 meetings with their line manager and undertake any training required for the post.

• Undertake any other tasks as reasonably requested by management

• Provide specific advice to support workers and customers to make back-dated claims for housing benefit and appeal over-payment deductions.

• Develop and promote Move on meetings/ workshops within the services for staff and YP..

• To uphold all health and safety responsibilities within relevant policies and local protocols.

• Adhere to all the policies and procedures of Look Ahead Care & Support plus those specific to the project including any statutory requirements.

• Adhering to lone working protocols and maintaining high levels of awareness in relation to the health and safety of yourself and colleagues.

Person Specification:

• Embraces a Psychologically Informed approach

• Is capable of maintaining unconditional positive regard

• Views challenging behaviour as a support need.

• A strong specialist support worker with excellent interpersonal skills

• Socially adept, networks widely, well connected in sector, influential

• Approachable, open & professional behaviour

• At ease in directing others, is assertive and independent minded, will challenge others, and skilled in resolving conflict

• Drives change, enjoys dynamic diverse environments and demonstrates entrepreneurialism, creativity and innovation

• Demonstrates significant confidence and high levels of self-esteem

• Demonstrates significant levels of emotional resilience and a positive attitude

• Is respectful, articulate and sensitive in style of communication

• Is passionate and enthusiastic about the business

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

• Is Customer focussed

• We welcome applications from individuals with lived experiences of using services

Skills, Knowledge and Experience:
Essential:

• Experience of Lone working.

• Housing Management experience.

• Knowledge of the move on pathways for the various young people across Milton Keynes.

• Knowledge of housing benefits and UC.

• Having proactive ‘Can do’ attitude to their work.

• Excellent grammar and communication skills.

Desirable:

• Familiar with IT systems, excel, outlook and word.

• Lone working experience.

• Working with UASC.

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.