Community Support Worker

Must be a driver with own car as travel requirements for the role. Experience with tenancy/housing management, benefits advice, life skills and client support needs

30 Hours per week Monday to Friday, non-working day Wednesday (the non-working day could be changed for the successful candidate but Monday and Fridays are fixed working days). Non-working day is fixed, not changeable each week, but does not have to be Wednesday as the suggested non-working day. No weekends, evenings or bank holidays.

Southampton Rough Sleepers Accommodation Program provides low level supported accommodation to adults who have experienced sleeping rough and are in the final stages of moving to independent accommodation.

We provide support to clients to reduce the harm and impacts associated with substance misuse, enable them to maintain their tenancies and make the move to independent accommodation.

If you love working with people and are looking for a role where you can make a real difference in the lives of those you support, then this is the role for you!

JOB PURPOSE

To lead on the case management of clients and be part of a team that provides support to clients living in the community to keep them safe and help them achieve their goals.

To provide people with homes and specialist support so they feel more valued and secure, and ready to take the next steps

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES

To assess the needs of each client, helping to develop their individual support plan to achieve their goals

To produce and regularly review comprehensive client-based risk assessments

To manage a caseload of clients on a one-to-one basis

To support clients to gain and/or maintain accommodation or achieve their outcomes/ goals

To engage with local authorities, health providers and other agencies, creating and maintaining positive working relationships to maximise the opportunities available to clients

To lead on client activities to help them gain practical life skills

To support clients with managing their finances, paying rent, managing arrears and accessing benefits

To encourage and signpost clients to the local community and to resources relevant to their aspirations including education, training, employment activity or volunteering

To support clients in trauma informed and psychologically informed ways

To adhere to safeguarding responsibilities, following our safeguarding policy and procedure

To help maintain health and safety, ensuring clients, visitors and buildings are safe in accordance with Health and Safety regulations, policy and procedures

To provide basic first aid assistance until help arrives (full training is provided)

To work confidently and efficiently when lone working

To maintain accurate records on our client management system and ensure these are stored in line with GDPR

To maintain confidentiality

To represent the organisation in a professional manner

To carry out any other reasonable duties required in the interest of the organisation

ROLE REQUIREMENTS

This role will require an Enhanced with Barred List(s) disclosure and barring service check is a requirement for this role. This would be completed on appointment of the role.

This role will require a full drivers' licence and access to a vehicle

This role will require you to work flexibly across several sites

Strong communication skills, both verbal and written

Clear verbal and written English

Good keyboard skills for data inputting

Good working knowledge of Microsoft Outlook, Excel, and Word

Confident and assertive manner

Ability to self-motivate as you will work on your own

Effective team working

Ability to respond calmly to crisis

Deal promptly with and effectively react to challenging situations

Have an interest and genuine concern for homelessness and related issues

DESIRABLE CRITERIA

Experience of managing a caseload of clients

Understanding of risk assessment and person-centred, outcomes-based delivery

Understanding of the complex support needs of people experiencing homelessness or those with complex needs

Knowledge of voluntary and statutory agencies, housing regulations and the benefits system