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

The Peer Mentor Team will form part of the Participation & Progression team and work closely alongside Wallich Rough Sleeper Intervention and Solutions teams to support service users with identified multiple needs.

The Peer Mentor Team will create a bespoke service that has the flexibility and understanding that people with chaotic lifestyles and complex needs require, with lived experience enhancing the capacity of our Rough Sleeper teams.

Purpose of Role

The Peer Mentor Team will create a bespoke service that has the flexibility and understanding that people with chaotic lifestyles and complex needs require.
Peer Mentors will work alongside Wallich Rough Sleeper teams to enhance the support available to this client group.

In addition, post holders will also encourage engagement with diversionary activities through the Participation & Progression Team.

Lived experience of homelessness and/or the associated challenges is essential to this role. These roles fall within the Participation & Progression Team and support the wider operational delivery of Wallich rough sleeper services.

This role is subject to an Enhanced DBS Disclosure and is ringfenced for ex-service users.

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

Main Duties and Responsibilities

1. Project Delivery

a.To ensure that Service Users are aware of the mission, aims and objectives, policies and procedures of the Rough Sleeper teams

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

c. To support Service Users with particular reference to:

• Providing Peer Support to rough sleepers

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

• Carrying out the day to day tasks and activities of Service Users’ support 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/teams, including The Wallich Participation & Progression team and 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.

2. Provide general and finance administration for the project.

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

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

c. Assist with Health & Safety administration where required

d. Other general administration duties as determined by the Project Coordinator

3.To assist in the overall running of the project

a.To work in line with all Wallich policies and procedures

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

c. To undertake relevant training

d. To participate in own supervision

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

f. To ensure adequate administration records are kept

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

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

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

j. To partake in a team handover where applicable

k. To undertake other duties within the remit of the post

4. Communication & Networking

a. Professionally represent the organisation internally and externally

b. To develop successful cross organisational working with relevant project teams for the benefit of Service Users

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

d. Develop successful relationships with Wallich teams and partner agencies

5. Systems & Paperwork

a. To update relevant databases and paperwork in relation to client progress

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

c. To follow appropriate risk assessments

6. Other

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

b. To work flexibly and to undertake occasional work outside of normal office hours if require

c. 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 Spec

Key:App – Application/CV CQ – Certificate of Qualification Int – Interview

Interviews to be held via Teams on 17th September 2021

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