Support & Engagement Worker

Position Title: Support & Engagement Worker

Location: Charnwood and Northwest Leicestershire

Hours of duty: 37 hours per week over 5 days

Salary: £12.60 per hour / £24,309.07 per annum

Contract: Permanent

To apply for this role please send a CV and cover letter to charlotte.smith@falconsupportservices.org.uk clearly demonstrating your expertise and how you meet the role requirements. This should be a minimum of 500 words and not exceed 2 pages

About us:

Falcon Support Services provides supported accommodation and community projects to those that are homeless, at risk of homelessness, or vulnerable in the community.

Our service helps vulnerable people by providing safe and secure accommodation with our staff working alongside clients to help them develop their skills, so they can move away from homelessness to living independently and positively contribute to their community.

Role Purpose:

This role works alongside residents who are living in semi-independence to offer support for an independent and positive future.

The role is challenging and rewarding with opportunities to learn, grow, and develop within Falcon Support Services. In this varied role, you will

Provide high quality accommodation, housing management and support to homeless people.

Empower clients to make positive changes and informed choices in moving towards independent living.

Assess each individual, support needs and work with them on a mutually agreed support plan/programme to achieve positive outcomes.

Work in partnership with other agencies to maximise service delivery

You must have a genuine interest in helping people to make changes in their lives and an understanding of the types of issues that affect those that are homeless, as well as a dedication to Falcon Support Services values and performance standards.

Falcon Support Services are equipped to train and support people who do not have relevant skills and experience but do have the right values, behaviours, and attitudes.

Main Responsibilities:

General

To assist with the daily operations of the project ensuring services are delivered efficiently.

To communicate effectively and appropriately with clients, staff, other organisations and members of the public using and/or working with Falcon Support Services.

Where appropriate, to perform initial interview of clients seeking admission and ensure initial Risk Assessments and Need Assessments are completed and accurate.

To work in collaboration with partnership agencies and housing providers.

Carry out the practical tasks required of the job being continuously aware of any risks presented by the working environment and consistently acting in a way to minimise these risks.

• Controlling and recording access to and from the building, following the booking in and welcoming procedures
• completing relevant monitoring for the service, including monitoring and responding to rent arrears and collection of weekly personal charge/service charge

Where appropriate, to ensure that the terms of license/tenancy agreements are adhered to and address any problems arising from this requirement.

• Assistance in applying for eligible benefits including Housing/Council Tax Benefits/Universal Credit

• Encouraging, promoting, and providing service user involvement in education, training and employment and volunteering

• To manage a caseload and work with clients to develop their support plans. This will include liaising with outside agencies for the benefit of the client.

• To provide appropriate advice on current applications for homeless assistance, council accommodation and housing association accommodation.
• Support individuals to move into accommodation which may include helping them set up a home.

To be alert to the health and wellbeing of all clients, reporting any concerns to the Project Manager

To ensure that routine inspection of the premises is carried out and to report any damages and/or repairs to the Project Manager or Maintenance.

To be responsible for the development, and implementation of procedures and codes of working practice to form part of a comprehensive quality approach to service delivery.

To undertake/attend any training and/or meetings as required by the job role.

To promote a positive image of Falcon Support Services, working as part of an integrated team.

Administration

• Respond to telephone enquiries, correspondence, and callers to the service
• To generate monthly performance reports and statistical information for key performance indicators (KPIs).

To effectively use IT systems to maintain precise and accurate documentation of case management services, including client files and entries into the program databases/risk logs.

To ensure that all support plan actions, and risk assessments / risk management plans are completed and up to date, and then reviewed monthly at staff 1-2-1’s.

To complete and provide any documentation, reports, statistics, and any other information required by Falcon Support Services and/or any other agency.

• To ensure that all required documentation is completed and actioned for new clients moving into the project in particular housing benefit applications/risk assessments/needs assessments

Compliance / Health & Safety

To adhere to all of Falcon Support Services policies and procedures as well as any specific local procedures.

• Ensuring Health and Safety checks are completed, including Building Checks, Fire Checks and Water Temperature checks.
• Report all incidents of H&S, or any other serious issue, completing an incident report
• Report any safeguarding or substantial risk concerns appropriately.

Every employee has a responsibility to ensure that their work complies with the Financial Regulations of the charity.

Due to the nature of work, this post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and will therefore require you to disclose all criminal convictions and comply with a Disclosure and Barring Service Check.

To develop Falcon Support Services commitment to equal opportunities and to promote non-discriminatory practices in all aspects of work undertaken.

All employees are required by Section 7 of the Health and Safety at Work Act to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their acts or omissions.

People

To work co-operatively with other members of the team, constructively contributing to team meetings, covering office duty and assisting with the smooth running of the service

To show willingness to assist and cover for colleagues when they are absent

Mentor and support students and/or volunteers in the service

To effectively work with a range of multi-disciplinary partners, support providers and funders in both the statutory and voluntary sector.

To develop team spirit and co-operative working across all teams, internal and external.

This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list but to indicate the main responsibilities of the post, such additional duties may be undertaken which are reasonably commensurate with the level of post. It will be reviewed periodically to consider changes and developments in service requirements. Any changes will be discussed fully with the jobholder.

Knowledge, Experience & Skills:

• Experience of working with the homeless and/or vulnerable client groups within a supported housing/hostel setting
• Experience of empowering individuals to make informed choices/positive change
• Experience of completing support plans, risk & needs assessments
• Ability to work in a customer care and quality focused manner
• Ability to deal with difficult situations, aggressive behaviours, and handle conflict appropriately
• Excellent communication skills
• Effective time management and organisational skills
• Good literacy, numeracy and IT skills
• Ability to generate reports and statistical information
• Ability to caseload and prioritise conflicting demands
• Experience in working and engaging as part of a team
• Be physically able to respond quickly and effectively in emergency situations
• The ability to undertake general housekeeping tasks in line with job description
• The ability to understand the needs of people from diverse, cultural, social and racial backgrounds.
• Understand the needs of people who have drug, alcohol, behavioural or mental health issues
• A strong and demonstratable commitment to promoting Falcon Support Services approach to equality and diversity in all work undertaken
• Knowledge of current housing/welfare benefits

Mandatory Requirements:

• Must be over the age of 18
• Willingness to undergo a satisfactory enhanced DBS check
• Have access to a vehicle for business purposes
• Hold a valid driving licence