/ Process
5
Department: / Supported Housing
Title: / Job Description

Background: YMCA Bedfordshire is a Christian charity committed to helping people achieve regardless of gender, race, ability or faith. As an organisation we aim to promote social inclusion for disadvantaged people, by giving them the self-confidence, motivation, and resilience to overcome difficult circumstances. We help them acquire skills, achieve independence, and find employment. This is done through a range of social housing, training, health and wellbeing and community activities within Bedfordshire, for the benefit of local people and communities. YMCA Bedfordshire is committed to making a difference in the local area through the services it delivers and the partner organisations it works with.

We believe - in our Values:

We….

Ref: / YMCA-HR-017-94 / Date: / December 2017 / Next Review: / N/A
UNCONTROLLED IF COPIED OR PRINTED
YMCA Bedfordshire © / Rev: / 00 / Page 1 of 4
/ Process
5
Department: / Supported Housing
Title: / Job Description

•are motivated by our Christian faith

•are welcoming and value everyone

•believe in the good of all people

•are passionate

•are caring

•are forgiving

•are tolerant

•work with integrity

Ref: / YMCA-HR-017-94 / Date: / December 2017 / Next Review: / N/A
UNCONTROLLED IF COPIED OR PRINTED
YMCA Bedfordshire © / Rev: / 00 / Page 1 of 4
/ Process
5
Department: / Supported Housing
Title: / Job Description

Job Purpose:To work as part of the Housing Team to provide an efficient and effective service to clients aged 16-65. You will assist the Supported Housing Manager in the general day to day management of the service, be responsible for the supervision and management of a small staff team and carry a caseload of residents. In conjunction with the Housing Officer and the Supported Housing Manager, you will be accountable for maximising income & occupancy to meet targets within your area. You will work with your staff team to assess clients’ suitability for YMCA Bedfordshire housing facilities and to provide on-goingsupport to develop residents’ ability to live independently and work towards successful resettlement.

You will work with the Supported HousingManager to ensure that the management of the service fits into the overall framework of policies; procedures and guidelines provided by YMCA Bedfordshire. You will also be responsible for liaising with external agencies to ensure comprehensive support of each resident, and will be expected to consult with residents on service delivery.

Responsible to:Supported Housing Manager

Specific tasks:

The post holder will be responsible for overseeing the staff and residents at either Weaver House andCornerstone house, providing accommodation for 54 residents, or YMCA Foyer and Linden House, providing accommodation for 50 residents. The resident profile is vulnerable people aged 16-65. The project reception areas remain open 24/7, 365 days/ year.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

  • Manage a team of staff (as outlined in the Organisational Chart) to ensure high quality performance & delivery of excellent support services across the projects in your remit
  • Achieve excellent utilisation percentages in line with targets, and manage referrals from CAPITA referral system.
  • Ensure Rent Action Plans are completed in consultation with the Housing Officer and that required actions are completed within the specified timeframe to meet relevant targets relating to debt
  • Support with recruitmentof effective staff within the remit of the role
  • Ensure that new staff/ volunteers within your remit receive thorough inductionand monitor training needs
  • Ensure that staff rotasmeet therequired day to day cover of the projects
  • Enable staff to deliver excellent support to residents on their caseload and to understand the requirements of effective risk assessments, support plans and key-work notes
  • Assist and encourage support staff to ensure residents are registered with GP, dentist, primary healthcare professionals as appropriate.
  • Be responsible for a caseload of residents with all the duties this involves
  • Assessand prioritise applicants referred to YMCA Bedfordshirebased on needs and risk
  • Encourage residents to take responsibility for their own lives through excellent, effective SMART objectives and provide on-going practical and emotional support,guidance and signposting to residents
  • Lead on communication and liaison with a range of external professionals who may also be working with residents, e.g. Youth Offending Services/Leaving and After Care/BRASS/Job Centre Plus etc., and ensure any relevant information is communicated with regards residents
  • Be instrumental in promoting excellent safeguarding practices in conjunction with Local Authority Safeguarding Procedures and those of YMCA Bedfordshire
  • Take the lead on MASH referrals and ensure that support staff are aware of the procedures for making a referral to MASH
  • Respond to, and record, incidents, major occurrences and complaints in accordance with agreed procedures.
  • Implement and monitor Risk Assessments as appropriate.
  • Communicate regularly and effectively with a range of external professionals who may also be working with the client.
  • Adhere to all confidentiality, data protection & information sharing procedures.
  • Support the work of YMCA Bedfordshire, and be involved in developing policies and procedures, paperwork, training and publicity/marketing materialse.g. Newsletters, Residents Satisfaction Surveys, manage comments/complaints, etc.
  • Contribute to the effectiveness of communication within YMCA Bedfordshire and attend meetings, case reviews and team meetings as required.
  • Provide an out of hours service on a rota basis with the team to support the accommodation
  • Work within YMCA Bedfordshire Equality and Diversity Policy and Equality Plan as a member of the Housing team.

Additional Duties and Responsibilities:

  • Ensure full understanding and operation of In-Form Hostel Management System and ensure client details are updated as appropriate.
  • Participate fully as a member of the team to ensure that services are provided and maintained to a high standard
  • Attend supervision/training as required, conduct supervision/work reviews with direct reports and be committed to encouraging staff and personal development within the role.
  • To be on-call on a rota basis
  • Be flexible to the changing needs of the Housing services, YMCA Bedfordshire and its service users.
  • Abide by all YMCA Bedfordshire staff and working policies and procedures.
  • Promote the aims and purposes of the Supported Housing services and YMCA Bedfordshire.
  • In addition to the duties set out in this job description the post holder may at times be required to undertake additional or other duties to meet the needs of YMCA Bedfordshire

Person Specification:

Experience of: / Essential: / Desirable:
Working with vulnerable people aged 16-65 years old and meeting targets / 
Identifying the needs of vulnerable young homeless people and working with them to manage these needs and develop life skills. / 
Experience of managing staff / 
Qualifications:
Minimum Level 3 qualification in working with people at risk who are homeless, or equivalent Level 3 in social care, education, support services etc. / 
First Aid Certificate / 
Skills & abilities:
Good analytical skills to assess the needs and manage risk in placements of clients / 
Ability to manage & support a team to achieve targets / 
Good level of initiative and drive with ability to work as part of a team and unsupervised / 
Ability to forge relationships whist maintaining professional boundaries / 
Excellent record keeping and writing skills to keep accurate case note records and placement paperwork / 
Competent in ICT with ability to effectively use housing management software systems / 
Ability to communicate effectively using various mediums with residents, and agency professionals / 
Ability to use assessment skills in order to develop relationships with residents and manage challenging behaviour / 
Knowledge:
Knowledge and understanding of issues affecting vulnerable and homeless people / 
Knowledge of relevant housing legislation and local authority policy / 
Good understanding of safeguarding practice and procedure / 
Knowledge of relevant local support networks and stakeholders / 
General:
Ability to work flexible hours including occasional evenings, weekends and on-call / 
Maintain and observe conditions of health and safety / 
Willingness to develop within the job and undergo relevant training / 
Ability to respect the Christian Ethos of the YMCA and uphold its values / 
Be committed to YMCA Bedfordshire Equality and Diversity Policy / 
Clean enhanced DBS check / 

Scope and Limits of Authority:

  • The post holder has no direct budget responsibility however will be expected to support the development of YMCA Bedfordshire through their day to day activities
  • The post holder will be responsible for:
  • Staff:Yes – As detailed in current organisational chart
  • Budgets:No

Key Performance Indicators (will be in the following areas):

  • Ensure utilisation of accommodation is kept above 97%
  • Ensure bad debt provision is kept under 3%
  • Carry caseload as instructed by the Projects Manager
  • Ensure 90% successful move-on of caseload ofresidents
  • Ensure 85% of residents in your remit are engaging in participation or skills activities

Ref: / YMCA-HR-017-94 / Date: / December 2017 / Next Review: / N/A
UNCONTROLLED IF COPIED OR PRINTED
YMCA Bedfordshire © / Rev: / 00 / Page 1 of 4