Specialist Housing Support Worker (Immediate starts available)

Job Description:

• We are currently recruiting for Specialist Housing Support Workers to join a small team working for a large national organisation who partner with local authorities to tackle homelessness throughout the UK. You will be providing support to a caseload of individuals with a variety of complex needs including substance misuse & a range of mental health conditions.
• Immediate starts are available for candidates with a DBS certificate already in place but we are also still keen to hear from candidates who require a new DBS or have a notice period.

• Employ a strength-based and trauma-informed approach to building trusting relationships with residents, using that to help create accurate, realistic and meaningful (outcome focused) support plans.
• Use your knowledge and experience of working with those experiencing multiple disadvantages to identify and capture risks, using that to help design mitigation strategies and inform coping mechanisms.
• Engage pro-actively and effectively with residents to help them identify barriers which are preventing them gaining greater levels of independence, then working collaboratively to build (and achieve) a plan for success.
• Uphold the highest levels of safeguarding awareness and protection for individuals, residents, colleagues and the wider community. Working within local frameworks to ensure policies and mechanisms are applied correctly.
• Work with the service manager and senior leaders to engage pro-actively with local multi-disciplinary and network groups, seeking to maximise outcomes for individuals and build added value into the service as a whole.
• Manage your caseload of residents in an effective and dynamic way, ensuring all residents receive and engage with appropriate amounts and types of support for their needs.
• Work in a non-risk averse and non-judgemental way, helping residents understand the negative impact of their behaviours, then providing harm reduction information and advice where necessary.
• Act as a positive role model for residents, using a strength-based approach to helping them set realistic (but aspirational) goals, prompting, encouraging and motivating them to make them a reality.

• Work with colleagues at service and organisational level to ensure maximum levels of service utilisation, including the processing and review of referrals in a non-risk averse and balanced community way.
• Support in the process of referral management and support / needs / risk assessment, recording all relevant findings accurately in our digital support management system.
• Support residents to understand and complete all necessary tenancy documentation and service entry requirements, recording them as required in our various housing management systems.
• Take ownership of any rent management matters for your residents, helping them to understand the importance of appropriate money management and to take necessary action to avoid arears.
• Support residents to understand their benefits and money management skills, using that to identify knowledge gaps which can be added into support plans and future engagement activities.
• Complete regular accommodation inspections, using the opportunity to help residents develop further independent living skills (e.g. reporting of repairs) whilst ensuring all necessary compliance and H&S requirements are met.
• Proactively support residents to identify knowledge gaps in terms of their ability to manage a tenancy and live independently, building that into support plans and helping them acquire the skills and knowledge required.

• A valid UK driving license (a company car will be provided)
• Experience supporting vulnerable individuals with complex needs.
• Experience of working within a trauma informed / psychologically informed framework.
• A basic understanding of housing benefits.