Service user support worker (Homeless service)

Job content

Position: Service User Support Worker

Responsible to:Service Manager

Responsible for:Not applicable

Salary: £11.50 P/H

The Company’s aims and objectives

Orsa Housing provides supported accommodation for people who have been or are at risk of homelessness and require support to eliminate the causes of homelessness and live independent lives. We provide support with training and social engagement, benefits support and referrals and engagement with external support providers alongside our basic housing related support.

Employees must adhere to Orsa Housing’s ethos which is committed to the promotion of our service users’ independence, ensuring their personal rights and dignity are respected and involving them in all aspects of the service. The service aims to ensure that the service users’ needs are met and they progress and develop their skills through the support that they receive. The service aims to enable service users to live independently within the community with the primary objective of ‘moving on’ from the accommodation to more independent living.

We aim to ensure that all our employees have the necessary skills and capabilities in order to do their jobs. Orsa Housing will evaluate their work through monthly supervisions and yearly appraisals and at the same time assist employees in pinpointing relevant training and development opportunities.

Job Description

To contribute, as part of a team, to the delivery of high quality, Service User focused housing and support services to vulnerable people.

To undertake key duties, as directed by the management team, relating to day to day housing management working with the Service Users to maximize their potential and independence.

Key Objectives

· To assist and support Service Users in all activities that will allow them to successfully manage their own future tenancy and empower them to address any personal support needs with relevant support agencies.

· To manage caseloads effectively, including prioritization of Service Users, needs assessment, and working with manager and team to ensure Service Users receive support that meets their needs.

· With the Service Manager, ensure that referring and other support agencies are advised where support needs cannot be met by service provision, and that signposting to appropriate agencies occurs.

· To assist Service Users to fulfil their responsibilities within their licence agreement, as far as possible by advising on/liaising with the owner, ensuring that their dignity is respected.

· To facilitate the participation of Service Users in decision making about themselves and the running of their home including facilitating regular Service Users’ meetings, offering individual support and advice in claiming benefits and the management of finances, in accordance with best practice

· To monitor and to ensure that appropriate, accurate and up to date records are kept in respect of the Service Users.

· To contribute to the development of each Service Users’ support plan. To monitor and review support plans on a regular basis, making recommendations as appropriate.

· To comply at all times with the organisations Code of Conduct together with its policies and procedures as regards the maintenance of a professional relationship between staff and Service Users.

· To liaise with external agencies regarding Service Users’ welfare e.g. housing benefit, social services, probation service etc., ensuring that the required documentation is completed accurately, in full and in a timely manner.

· To work as part of the team and responding to emergencies as necessary.

· To alert management to potential Service User issues and to undertake key duties as directed by the management team, and in accordance withpolicy support for all Service Users within the service; and

· To support Service Users to alert the owner (where appropriate) with regard to concerns regarding the security, repair, maintenance and decorative order of their accommodation where directed, to liaise with external providers as appropriate.

· To comply with the Orsa Housing health and safety procedures; to support the management team in the promotion of a safety culture which is understood and adopted by both staff and Service Users

· To support any other of Orsa Housing services, including provision of support to Orsa Housing Service Users’ and provision of housing management services, including voids and arrears management.

· To undertake any other reasonable duties as directed

Qualifications and Experience:

• Experience of working with vulnerable young people and adults on a one-to-one basis ideally as a support worker, or the relevant professional qualification is desirable.
• Good working knowledge of supporting a range of vulnerable adults and young people from diverse backgrounds is essential.
• Full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle is desirable.
• Previous experience gained within a supported housing or floating support environment, or similar is desirable, so too is knowledge of supported housing or floating support procedures and practices.
• Good general standard of education. Numerate and IT literate (good working knowledge of standard Microsoft Office software would be an advantage)
• Organised and efficient; able to handle several duties simultaneously, prioritising effectively as appropriate
• Good general administrative skills
• Able and willing to work as part of a team
• Confident with good communication and interpersonal skills. Has a mature approach to their work with recognition of the need for discretion and confidentiality at all times.
• Organisational skills, and the ability to effectively plan and manage a diary and caseload are essential.
• Individuals must be trustworthy and able to work on their own initiative, whilst reporting and providing operational and management information to their line manager.

Contracted Hours:

The basic hours of work are 25 hours per week Monday to Friday. This role may require work outside of sociable hours including evenings and weekends where it is to be benefit of the organisation.

Job Type: Part-time
Part-time hours: 25 per week

Salary: £11.50 per hour

Benefits:

• Casual dress
• Company events
• Flexitime

Schedule:

• Day shift
• Flexitime
• Monday to Friday
• Overtime

Experience:

• Working venerable adults: 1 year (required)
• Support worker: 2 years (required)

Licence/Certification:

• Driving licence and access to own car (required)

Work Location: In person

Application deadline: 30/11/2023
Reference ID: ORSASUSNOV2023