Dispersed Support Worker

Closing date: August 30th, 2023

Job Title:

Responsible to:

Service Manager, Dispersed

Responsible for:

N/A

Hours of Work:

37.5 hours

Location:

YMCA Together – Various

Salary and Benefits:

£26,321 per annum

33 days annual leave including Bank Holidays
Paid Medicash support
Birthday day
Charity day of your choice
Well-being Hours
Cycle To Work Scheme
Refer a Friend Scheme
Company Pension Scheme 4%

YMCA Together is a registered charity and company Limited by Guarantee. We were founded in 1846 and so we build on a long history of providing a place for people experiencing challenging times in their lives.

YMCA Together is a truly value driven organisation.

Our vision is that everyone should feel safe, understood, empowered and positive for their future. We meet our vision by working within our values of Strength, Humility, Respect, Empathy and Kindness. These SHREK values run through all that we do from recruitment to how we work alongside people in our services to our partnership approach with other providers.

Our clear vision and values come together to help us in our mission to inspire and support people to change their lives by instilling hope, valuing the person and maximising potential.

Job Purpose

To effectively manage an assigned caseload contingent on needs, strengths, abilities and preferences of the service user served.

Provide assessment, monitoring, planning, linkage and advocacy for service users involved in the service.

Possess clear understanding of the service delivery and resources available for the homeless population.

Ensure that all service users are given the security and support to maximise their independence, dignity and choice in accordance with the aims of the service.

To participate in an agreed duty rota based within Crete Towers.

Ensure that housing management and health and safety of properties is effectively monitored and reported as required.

To champion an area of work within the service.

Hours of Work

37.5 hours.

Duties and Responsibilities

The specific areas of responsibility are set out below. These are subject to regular review in order to meet the changing needs of YMCA Together and the environment in which it operates.

Support Management

Provide high quality comprehensive needs and risk assessments for allocated service users within YMCA Together policy guidelines
Ensure that a support plan is in place 7 days after move-in for each service user and that this actively reflects the service users’ aspirations
Provide high quality one to one support in accordance with the aims and objectives of the service which is proactive and helps servicer users to understand and overcome any barriers they have to moving forward
To have an understanding of the needs of service users and ensure that all practice reflects this in a positive way
Provide service users with personal budgeting or access to debt counselling
Working in conjunction with the Housing Support Worker and Service Manager to address issues of rent arrears, isolation and exclusion whilst facilitating service users’ involvement in accordance with agreed support plan
Provide advice to service users on housing, health, welfare benefits and other issues as necessary
Ensure that all relevant agencies are involved in the support plan process to avoid duplication of support offered
Support service users to develop life skills needed to maintain a tenancy in an appropriate and safe condition i.e., how to keep house clean, disposal of refuse, managing entry of visitors to home and assisting with unwelcome visitors etc
Produce appropriate written reports in a variety of formats to meet the requirements of managers, service providers and legal bodies.

Expected Outcomes

Minimal bad debt
There is at least 65% return rate for service user survey forms and a high level of satisfaction
Service users are highly satisfied with the support they receive
Arrears are adhered to and consistent with all service users
Accurate records are maintained in accordance with organisation policies and procedures
All service users have a move on plan with steps taken to secure move on
Length of stay for service users is reflective of contractual requirements
External agencies are involved in the review of service user support where appropriate.

Communication

Ensure any concerns relating to service users’ physical or emotional condition are passed on to the Service Manager or responsible person on duty
Arrange/participate in staff and service user meetings, as and when required
Work proactively with all other colleagues to ensure that relevant information is shared and that joint working is undertaken when this is in the best interests of the service user
Actively promote a positive professional profile of the service within the community, ensuring the good reputation of the organisation at all times.

Inter-agency Working

Develop and maintain effective working relationships with specialists and agencies who might offer resources, funding, or individual services relevant to service user needs, e.g., Registered Social Landlords, Local Authority, community psychiatric services, Benefit Agency and other government agencies, referral agencies, charitable trusts, other voluntary agencies
Encourage joint working initiatives that would benefit service users and support the delivery of excellent outcomes.

Development

Ensure all service users and staff know how to use equipment appropriately
Attend mandatory training days/courses, on or off site as and when required
Be responsible for maintaining professional knowledge and competence
Prepare for and attend supervision with the Housing Manager every 4-6 weeks.

Intensive Housing Management and Risk Assessing

Assist the Practitioners with the induction and management of their case load taking direction as required
Ensure Housing Benefit paperwork is completed in a timely fashion
Update and communicate service user risk assessments in line with YMCA/borough wide policy and procedure
Assist in the planning of workshops to individuals and groups that inform/ teach service users around how to manage a tenancy, manage a home and live independently
Creatively engage service users that have a wide range of complex and challenging support needs
Encourage service users to take part in activities
Offer a creative but assertive approach in order to seek to re engagement
Assist Practitioners in the management of personalized behavior / support agreements
Provide clear, comprehensive and accurate information on handovers to the team making recommendations where appropriate
Assisting service users in the cleaning of their room
Complete void checks and get rooms ready for letting
Maintain accurate up to date electronic and written records
Post holders must be willing to support clients who display challenging behavior, including verbal aggression.

Service User Involvement and Engagement

Encourage involvement, participation and co-production from service users in the running and development of the service
Provide a safe, welcoming environment with excellent standards and an ethos of service delivery that encourages service users to engage.

Multi Agency Working

Working closely with Practitioners to promote and encourage pathways to independent living, help prevent mental health deterioration, hospital admissions, offending behaviors and substance misuse
Encourage service users to engage with services
Assist with the provision of resettlement support
Promote and encourage the pathway to independence working to a CAT approach.

Reporting/ Monitoring

Monitor positive feedback from service users and external agencies
Ensure referrals to the service are processed thoroughly and within the correct time frames.

Health and Safety

Monitor and assess risks in accordance with YMCA Together’s Risk Assessment Policy and to consult with management as appropriate in accordance with established procedures
Proactive approach to safeguarding service users through adherence to policy and procedures
Work positively and constructively with risk, fully appreciating service users strengths through collaborative working
Exclude people when necessary where they pose a potential risk to the security of the property or health and safety of staff and or residents, in accordance with policies and procedures
Monitor and record effectiveness of health and safety checks in accordance with policies and procedures
Ensure electronic records and databases in relation to health & safety are updated and accurate at all times
Promote safe working practices in and out of the service
Carry out regular checks of fire alarm, property conditions and emergency call systems as agreed with the Housing Manager
Ensure all equipment is clean, working and well maintained.

Teamwork

Attend to all enquiries and pass messages onto relevant people
Attend and participate in weekly team meetings
Sharing information and expertise with colleagues, covering absence and working together to deliver a high quality service
To have a flexible and positive attitude to all team members
To be committed to learning both as an individual and as part of a team.

Professional Practice and Development

Adhere to YMCA Together’s Confidentiality Policy and ensure that all information of a confidential nature gained in the course of duty is not divulged to third parties
Ensure the standard of accommodation and grounds are of a consistently high level through communication and practical means. This includes assisting with cleaning service user accommodation, identifying and reporting repairs and maintaining
Uphold and develop YMCA Together’s Equal Opportunities Policy of anti-discriminatory practices across all services
Observe and ensure compliance with the Service Code of Conduct including professional boundaries and confidentiality at all times
Ensure adherence to YMCA ‘visitors’ procedure
Dealing promptly with all complaints in line with YMCA policies and procedures
Prepare for and attend supervision and appraisal sessions with your line manager, taking direction as appropriate and contributing to the development of both you and the service
Maintain good professional practice and ensure ongoing development, through use of supervision and training
Respect the confidentiality of residents using the service and be responsible for the security of personal and confidential information
Carry out all these duties within the organisation’s safety guidelines
Ensure personal records are correctly maintained
Ensure effective communication with staff within YMCA Together
Work flexibly to meet the changing needs of the organisation
Undertake any other duties that may be reasonably requested
Flexible and positive approach with all team members
To be committed to learning and personal development both as an individual and as part of a team
Ensure compliance with code of conduct, including professional boundaries and confidentiality at all times.

The post holder will be expected to carry out other duties consistent with the responsibilities of the post and may be requested from time to time, they will be expected to demonstrate flexibility in all areas of their work. They will be expected to carry out some out of hours duties such as emergencies and meetings called at short notice.

It is recognised that the organisation is operating in a dynamic environment and as such this job description may be varied in consultation with the post holder to reflect evolving needs of the business and changing nature of the job.

Person Specification – Dispersed Support Worker

Qualifications

Essential

Relevant qualification or experience of working in a support setting with people who have complex needs
Full Driving licence as support is required at dispersed sites within the local area

Desirable

A recognised qualification in substance misuse or mental health
Qualification in welfare rights

Experience

Essential

Experience of working within a Homeless service or similar and a working knowledge of support planning, welfare rights, benefits advice, mental health issues, offending, drug and alcohol misuse, working with partner agencies, safeguarding and resettlement.

Desirable

Experience working with refugees
Experience of co coordinating three way meetings
Experience of working with end of life
Experience of resettling individual into independent living.

Knowledge

Essential

A working knowledge of providing support
A working knowledge of Health & Safety issues
Knowledge of safeguarding protocols
Knowledge and understanding of how to deal with challenging and chaotic individuals
A clear understanding and specific knowledge of the issues that homeless people face.

Desirable

Knowledge of the Cognitive Analytical Therapy (CAT) framework
Knowledge of health intervention and harm reduction
Knowledge of housing management practices and procedures.

Skills

Essential

The ability to conduct comprehensive and accurate risk assessments
To provide effective and consistent support planning with service users
Excellent IT, communication, interpersonal, interviewing and assessment skills
Excellent administration skills and the ability to accurately and concisely record information and write reports
Plan and deliver workshops and training sessions to service users, staff and partner agencies
Computer literate and competent in using Microsoft Word, Outlook and Windows
Demonstrate creativity in overcoming obstacles and a commitment to working with and providing support to vulnerable people
Ability and willingness to work unsupervised
Ability to prioritise workload and meet deadlines.

Behaviour and Attitudes

Essential

Committed to improving the lives of homeless vulnerable people
Committed to own personal development and CPD planning
Excellent interpersonal/ communication skills
Ability to work within and have commitment to YMCA ethos, philosophy and SHREK values, Strength, Humility, Respect, Empathy and Kindness.

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If you would like to apply not directly through the website, please email your completed application form to recruitment@ymcatogether.org.uk

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