Job Description

Name of Project:Manchester Engagement Team

Job Title:Housing & Welfare RightsWorker

Salary:£26,276

Responsible To:Team Leader

Working Hours:37 per week

Job Summary

To deliver comprehensive, high quality Welfare Rights Service to people within the Manchester Engagement Team to ensure they are able to access their rights and entitlements, particularly with regard to weekly income, reducing debt and securing housing.

General

  1. To advise and advocate for people within the Manchester Engagement Team enabling them to maximise their benefits. To this end, the post holder will advocate for people at reviews, appeals and tribunals when necessary.
  2. To provide reliable advice and information on housing-related issues, welfare benefits and other relevant issues, such as utilities and debt.
  3. To provide a consultancy service to team members when required
  4. To build effective relationships with local housing services including non-statutory registered social landlords, providers of supported housing and temporary accommodation providers.
  5. To remain up-to-date with legislation and case law relating to housing, homelessness and welfare benefits.
  6. To offer carers of people within the Manchester Engagement Team, advice and information on their welfare rights, as indicated in their carers assessments.
  7. To signpost people to other professionals or agencies as appropriate.
  8. To share information with other agencies as appropriate, and in accordance with Manchester Mind, Trust and team policies and procedures.
  9. To support people using Manchester Engagement Team to remain a part of their local community.
  10. To work in accordance with Manchester Mind and Manchester Mental Health and Social Care Trust policies and procedures at all times.
  11. To effectively manage their own time, workload and resources.
  12. To participate in team meetings as required.
  13. To represent Manchester Mind at a variety of forums in Manchester relating to the duties of the post.
  14. To maintain regular contact with people using Manchester Engagement Team in their own homes or neighbourhoods.
  15. To continuously assess risks and report changes in risk assessments.
  16. To ensure all interventions captured on Amigos database.

Professional

  1. To ensure that housing and welfare rights knowledge is up to date.
  2. To be responsible for their own personal and professional development as identified through supervision.
  3. To be able to deliver the service with regard to person centred principles.
  4. To attend appropriate educational and training activities as agreed
  5. To work within Manchester Mind and Manchester Mental Health and Social Care Trust policies and procedures, to ensure safe and quality practice.
  6. To undertake management supervision and an annual appraisal with the Manchester Engagement Team Manager and participate in peer supervision via the Advice Team meeting.
  7. To value diversity and promote equality of opportunity ensuring that individuals are treated fairly and respected for their contribution in terms of experience, knowledge and skills.
  8. To participate in raising awareness of the needs of people with mental health needs with other statutory and non-statutory agencies.

Management Information

  1. To maintain up to date and accurate records, including risk assessment, in accordance with relevant policies.
  2. To maintain and protect at all times the confidential nature of information, whether written or given verbally, within the context of Manchester Mind’s confidentiality policy.
  3. To provide information for performance measurement purposes as requested by the Service Manager.