Dear Applicant

Support Worker – RCT Tenancy Support Service

Gofal is a mental health and wellbeing charity providing a range of services to support people who are experiencing or who have experienced mental ill health – something that will affect 1 in 4 of us in our lifetime. We also lobby and campaign to improve mental health policy, practice and legislation and to increase public understanding and awareness of mental health and wellbeing.

Thank you for your interest in working for Gofal and please find enclosed the following:

1)Information on Gofal and the post you have applied for

2)Role Expectations, Person Specification and Competency Framework

3)Application Form

4)Equal Opportunity Monitoring Form

The closing date for receipt of your application is 9am, Monday 22nd August 2016. Please do ensure you return your application by this date and time. Gofal cannot be responsible for any applications received late and any applications that arrive after the deadline will not be considered.

We will contact you as soon as possible after shortlisting to inform you of the outcome.

Interviews will be held week commencing the 29th August 2016.

Applications will be considered against the person specification and shortlisted candidates invited to interview. We therefore recommend that you read our Guidance notes (available on our website) before you complete your application.

Once again, thank you for your interest in the post and we look forward to receiving your application.

Yours sincerely

Anna Johnson

HR Administrator

About Gofal

Thinking differently about mental health and wellbeing

Gofal has been providing mental health and wellbeing services to people in Wales since 1990. We have come a long way since our first services opened in Bridgend, supporting the resettlement of people from the long stay psychiatric wards of Parc and Penyfai hospitals into homes in the community. We now operate across eleven local authorities in Wales and over 2,000 people use our services every year.

Our Vision

Good mental health and wellbeing for all

Our Mission

To have a positive lasting impact in all that we do by

  • Working together to provide services that we can be proud of
  • Demonstrating outstanding practice in relation to staff mental health and wellbeing, learning and development
  • Challenging the way we all think about, talk about and respond to mental health and wellbeing in all areas of our lives
  • Using our profile, influence and voice to improve the lives of people living with or at risk of experiencing mental ill health
  • Increasing the range and reach of our services through targeted and sustainable business growth
  • Spending our money where it will have the maximum impact

Our Aspirations

Gofal aspires to:

  • Work with integrity and dignity
  • Inspire and support people to exceed their expectations
  • Develop a culture that is embracing and respectful of difference
  • Communicate honestly and openly
  • Be an organisation that is ambitious, creative and determined
  • Create environments that are collaborative, supportive and empowering
  • Be respected for our knowledge and expertise

Gofal

Support Worker

RCTTenancy Support Service

Location:RCT office base – with requirement for travel throughout Gofal areas of operation

Contract: To March 2017.

Salary:£15,150 per annum

Hours:37 hours per week

Holidays:26 days annual leave plus bank holidays

Holidays increase by 1 day for each year of service up to a maximum of 30 days

Pension:Pension in the form of a money purchase pension scheme:

-5.5% paid if employee contributes 1%

-6.5% paid if employee contributes 2% of more

Other Benefits:Income Protection

Life Assurance

Child Care Vouchers

Employee Assistance Programme

Opportunities for flexible working

Training and personal development opportunities

The Service

This post is within our RCTTenancy Support Service providing support on a wide variety of issues to people in the community and in their own homes to enable them to manage their own mental health and tenancies to reduce the risk of housing crisis.

The role will provide support around debt management, budgeting and claiming benefits, as well as daily living skills, accessing education, training, employment and leisure opportunities and improving physical wellbeing.

Support Worker – RCT TSS Page 1 of 20

August 2016

ROLE EXPECTATIONS

Post:Support Worker

Service: RCT Tenancy Support Service

Accountable to:Project Co-ordinator/Senior Case Worker

Location:RCT Office base - Treforest

Date:August 2016

Job Purpose:● To assist in or provide social, emotional and practical support to people with mental health and associated problems

● To work alongside Case Workers, ensuring support plans and risk assessmentsare properly implemented.

● To comply with and maintain all necessary administrative and report systems

Role Expectations:

Support Work

1.To provide a range of social, emotional and practical support as outlined in support plans, as implemented by the Local Authority

2.To provide information to and work with Case Workers/line manager in reviewing progress with support plans.

3.To ensure a smooth handover of information on allocation of service user either following initial assessment or as support is drawing to a close.

4.To gather risk information from other professionals and to regularly assist in carrying out and reviewing risk assessments and risk management plans, as and when necessary due to the changing needs of the service user.

5.To involve service users in the development, running and evaluation of the service and the support they receive

6.To support service users to access information and advice in order that they are able to make informed choices in matters that affect them.

Team Working

  1. To seek advice and support from Project Co-ordinator and Case Workers as necessary in delivery of support
  2. To accompany Case Workers on joint visits where need is identified in the support plan or risk assessment and provide assistance for reactive cases
  1. To liaise with other agencies with and on behalf of service users as part of planned support, including participation in joint meetings and case reviews.
  2. To discuss issues of changing need or risk with the Case Worker to determine appropriate action.
  3. To attend and participate in team meetings on a weekly basis
  4. Work safely as an individual and as a team, following organisational and local lone working procedures

Administrative Requirements

1. To keep accurate notes of all support provided and to adhere to the requirements of the local authority in providing updates as and when required.

2.To ensure all information is kept up to date and accurate.

2.To ensure all relevant information is shared with colleagues internally or externally

3.To ensure that IT systems are used effectively and in line with organizational procedures – e.g. use of e-mail and database systems.

4.To provide all relevant information to head office and external organizations as required.

Organisational Expectations

To carry out all duties in a manner that reflects Gofal’s Aspirations:

  1. Work with integrity and dignity
  2. Inspire and support people to exceed their expectations
  3. Develop a culture that is embracing and respectful of difference
  4. Communicate honestly and openly
  5. Be an organisation that is ambitious, creative and determined
  6. Create environments that are collaborative, supportive and empowering
  7. Be respected for our knowledge and expertise.

GOFAL

Person Specification

Post: Support Worker – RCT Tenancy Support

Essential / Desirable / Assessed through
Experience
Experience of working in the health and social care field, providing support, assistance and advice to individuals /  / Application/ Interview
Experience of working with people to enhance and promote independent living skills. /  / Application/ Interview
Experience of providing housing advice and support to people to enable them to maintain their tenancies and prevent housing crisis. /  / Application/ Interview
Knowledge and Understanding
How health and social care can contribute to people’s lives /  / Application
Ways to involve service users in the further development of the project /  / Application/ Interview
How people may become discriminated against because of their difference and how this may manifest itself /  / Application/ Interview
Knowledge and understanding of the welfare benefits system /  / Application
Knowledge and understanding of mental health problems and how they can affect an individual’s life /  / Application/Interview
Qualifications and skills
A recognised relevant qualification (eg NVQ 2 in Care) or willingness to obtain qualification /  / Application
Full current driving licence and access to your own transport /  / Application
Ability to communicate in Welsh /  / Application
IT skills including basic word processing and use of databases to input information /  / App/Int
Competencies
Demonstrate integrity and dignity in all interactions with others /  / Interview
Support colleagues to deliver at their best /  / Interview
Demonstrate respect of difference in all interactions with others /  / Interview
Communicate in a clear and concise way /  / Application/ Interview
Work with a flexible and adaptable approach to achieve agreed outcomes /  / Interview
Work effectively in partnership with others /  / Interview
Regularly discuss own development needs with line manager, and attend training events identified /  / Application/ Interview

Applicants for the post of Tenancy Support Worker will be required to demonstrate evidence of competency at level 1; please refer to the Competency Framework below.

Competency Framework

Gofal aspires to:Work with integrity and dignity

Level 1: Demonstrate integrity and dignity in all interactions with others

  • Maintain appropriate personal boundaries in all interactions with service users, colleagues and external contacts
  • Express opinions genuinely and honestly, while being mindful of the impact on others
  • Take responsibility for reflecting on own behaviours
  • Maintain confidentiality and be trustworthy in relationships with service users and colleagues
  • Bring to the attention of line managers, any situations where standards of integrity or dignity are believed to have been breached.
  • Make every effort to deliver on commitments made.

Gofal aspires to:Inspire and support people to exceed their expectations

Level 1: Support colleagues to deliver at their best

  • Role model positive and constructive behaviours to service users and colleagues
  • Share knowledge, skills and learning to help others to be at their best.
  • Work in a way that supports and promotes the wellbeing of others.
  • Participate openly and constructively in team meetings
  • Work co-operatively with others, supporting colleagues to deliver their best to service users
  • Actively engage in own supervision and appraisal, preparing and participating fully
  • Maintain high quality standards in file and record keeping
  • Notice and acknowledge great contribution from others

Gofal aspires to: Develop a culture that is embracing and respectful of difference

Level 1: Demonstrate respect of difference in all interaction with others

  • Have a reputation for being a great listener
  • Demonstrate a commitment to the value of equality and respect for diversity
  • Show an awareness of the different needs of people from different backgrounds, cultures and life experiences
  • Seek to understand the perspective of service users through genuine interest and questioning
  • Demonstrate an open mind with people who may have a different viewpoint.
  • Use language which is positive and non-judgmental towards others

Gofal aspires to:Communicate honestly and openly

Level 1: Communicate in a clear and concise way

  • See communication as a two way process, actively seeking out communication, as well as actively listening to the message delivered.
  • Use a communication style which is appropriate to the listener
  • Use words appropriately, communicating in language which matches the organisation’s values.
  • Using observation, be able to judge the listener’s response and adapt communication accordingly.
  • Use written and IT based communication to explain key points clearly and effectively, and in appropriate detail.
  • Role model honesty and openness in communication with others, using genuine care in the delivery of messages and challenging colleagues to do the same.

Gofal aspires to: Be an organisation that is ambitious, creative and determined

Level 1: Work with a flexible and adaptable approach to achieve agreed outcomes.

  • Bring energy, passion and excitement into all your work
  • Demonstrate dedication and commitment to the team objectives
  • Have a commitment to ‘never giving up on a person’, even when they are challenging to you
  • Use available time to achieve the best possible outcomes, and be flexible where priorities change
  • Stay enthusiastic and remain positive through setbacks
  • Work with colleagues and service users to come up with creative solutions
  • Face change with a positive and constructive approach
  • Ask for help and support where it is needed to ensure own wellbeing
  • Use mistakes as a way to learn for the future

Gofal aspires to:Create environments that are collaborative, supportive and empowering

Level 1: Work effectively in partnership with others

  • Build strong and constructive relationships with colleagues and service users
  • Build and maintain trust with service users and other individuals outside the organisation
  • Seek out contacts in other teams within the organisation, to share learning, support and experience
  • Be seen as a strong representative of the organisation with external contacts, and actively build networks which can help in delivery of service
  • Work positively through difference of opinion to get to the best outcome

Gofal aspires to: Be respected for our knowledge and expertise

Level 1: Regularly discuss own development needs with line manager, and attend training events identified.

  • Take responsibility for seeking out knowledge and finding out information to help own learning.
  • Take an active part in own development, working with your Line Manager to identify your development needs.
  • Attend all training programmes identified, participate fully and discuss the learning with your Line Manager afterwards.
  • Reflect on new learning, and how to use it for the best outcome of service users

Application for the post of:Support Worker – RCT Tenancy Support Service

Closing date for the receipt of application forms is: ______

This page will be removed from the application form before shortlisting, to enable us to shortlist candidates anonymously. Therefore please avoid using your name, elsewhere on the application.

PERSONAL INFORMATION

Surname
First Names
Address
(including postcode)
Contact Telephone Number
E-mail address

REFERENCES

At least one of your references should be a present or most recent employer, tutor, volunteer work supervisor etc. If your most recent employer is not in a similar field but you have worked with a vulnerable client group within the last 5 years then we will also require a reference from this organisation.

References will be requested after interview and Gofal reserves the right to contact any previous employer.

Name______
Address: ______
______
______Postcode______
Telephone no: ______
E-mail: ______
Relationship to yourself: ______/ Name______
Address: ______
______
______Postcode______
Telephone no: ______
E-mail: ______
Relationship to yourself: ______

Wellbeing

Gofal is committed to equality of opportunity and welcomes applications from all. When shortlisting applicants, the information used is that which relates to the person specification. Gofal upholds the commitments of the Disability Symbol. Where applicants meet all essential criteria then if a disability is declared an interview will be guaranteed and that applicant will not be further assessed against desirable criteria.
The Equality Act, 2010 defines a disability as:
“A physical or mental impairment which has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on a person’s ability to carry out normal day to day activities.”
With reference to the above statement do you consider yourself to have any disabilities:
YES / NO (please delete as appropriate)
If YES, please highlight any additional support or special arrangements you would require if you are shortlisted and invited to interview.

Are you subject to any restrictions which would prevent you from taking employment in the United Kingdom? (Documentary Evidence will be required) YES/NO(please delete as appropriate)

If YES please provide details:

CRIMINAL CONVICTIONS

Gofal aims to promote equality of opportunity for all with the right mix of talent, skills and potential and as such welcomes applications for employment from a diverse range of candidates, including those with criminal records.
Due to the nature of our work with vulnerable adults, some posts at Gofal are exempt from the provisions of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act and as such will request information on all convictions including those that would be deemed to be ‘spent’ under this act. Checks are made with the Disclosure and Barring Service and any offer of employment is made subject to receipt of a satisfactory Disclosure.
A criminal record or conviction is not necessarily a bar to employment with Gofal and each case will be decided on the individual circumstances.
The above is the policy statement of Gofal, if you wish to see our full procedure then please do contact the office in confidence and a copy will be sent to you.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

How much notice are you required to give? ______
How did you hear of this post, please specify? ______
Are you to your knowledge, known to any Trustee or employee of Gofal? YES / NO* (please delete as appropriate)
Details: ______
I confirm that to the best of my knowledge the information given in this application is true and correct. I understand that if any false information is given it may result in the withdrawal of an offer or termination of employment should I be appointed.
Signed ______Date: ______

EDUCATION

(Including secondary, further and vocational education)

Dates / Establishment / Qualifications and Grades

OTHER TRAINING ATTENDED

Dates / Course Details – Title and length of course

EMPLOYMENT

Please provide details of your work history, both paid and unpaid, in chronological order. Please ensure that you do not leave gaps unaccounted for. Gofal reserves the right to contact any of your previous employers
DATES / PAID OR UNPAID / EMPLOYER / POSITION AND DUTIES / REASON FOR LEAVING

SUPPORTING STATEMENT