CALICO HOMES
JOB DESCRIPTION
POST: Housing Support Worker (Weekends) – Elizabeth Street Project
SERVICE AREA: Supported Living
JOB PURPOSE: To provide housing related support to homeless individuals and families in accordance with the aims, objectives, policies and procedures of the project.
To ensure customers receive a needs led support service which offers greater opportunities for personal development and successful move-on into the wider community.
To liaise with all relevant agencies to ensure customers of the project receive a seamless service whilst residing at ESP and on exit from the service to avoid repeat homelessness.
To participate in all staff team activities to ensure the smooth operation of the project and the provision of a high quality service to the customers of the project.
To follow flexible working arrangements as required facilitating the safe operation of the Project. This may include working unsocial hours as required.
RESPONSIBLE TO: The Project Coordinator
RESPONSIBLE FOR: No staff
KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
1. To participate in the comprehensive assessment and allocation process for prospective customers.
2. To ensure that all those allocated a Licence/ tenancy understand the terms and conditions of their Licence/ tenancy agreement.
3. To liaise with all relevant statutory and voluntary agencies with regard to customer need i.e. Local Authority, Probation Service, H.B, D.W.P, Job Centre, Young Peoples Services, Inspire, etc.
4. To report to and maintain regular contact with the Project Coordinator regarding status of tenancies, condition of properties, any breach of Licence issues and generic needs of customers.
5. To report and record any accidents or incidents in line with policy and procedures.
6. To ensure security and safety of the premises, customers, staff and visitors is maintained in accordance with relevant procedures.
7. To keep and maintain accurate records for the project and its customers in line with set objectives/ performance criteria. To ensure all administration is up to date on a daily basis including handover notes, communications systems and resident files and support plans.
8. To act as designated key worker and support customers with housing matters, resettlement and re-housing tasks. This is to include accessing the correct benefits, sourcing appropriate move on accommodation and to implement, monitor and review individual support plans as necessary.
9. To promote and develop relationships of good practice with other housing agencies both statutory and non-statutory.
10. To implement and expedite eviction procedures in accordance with Statutory Housing Legislation and Calico Homes procedures.
11. To notify Local Authority of occupation/ vacation dates for all tenants.
12. To advise and support customers to access structured support within ESP, Calico and the wider community, (e.g. education, employment, training, health, social opportunities).
13. To encourage customers to get involved in meaningful activities, beneficial to them, by encouraging involvement in the running of the project and the wider governance and customer involvement of Calico, through developing customer meetings , customer representatives and supporting customers to attend external activities.
14. To be responsible for the carrying out of housing management procedures and to apply project policies and procedures when working with customers.
15. To undertake practical work in maintaining the cleanliness and good repair of the premises. To carry out regular security checks of the premises including all external doors and windows and the external grounds.
16. To uphold and apply the project’s confidentiality policy at all times to ensure the safety of residents.
17. To monitor and manage authorised access to the project premises and keep clear records of customer movements as required including operation of CCTV system.
18. To support the project to develop and maintain a waiting list of prospective customers and ensure regular contact with such applicants is maintained.
19. To monitor the rent accounts, occupancy charges and rechargeable repairs commitments of individual customers and to liaise with appropriate colleagues to develop repayment plans and advise of any changes in circumstances etc.
20. To ensure all safeguarding issues are reported and accurate records are maintained; to prepare reports for and work with statutory agencies and attend meetings as required to ensure risks are managed including CAF; TAC and Child Protection meetings.
21. To source and support specialist external agencies in delivering support sessions at ESP in response to customer needs as required.
22. To work effectively as an individual and within a team setting and in response to personal and project objectives.
23. To undertake appropriate training courses, workshops or other events to further your development.
24. To attend and contribute to regular staff / team meetings.
25. To participate in the performance monitoring and appraisal process.
26. To undertake such other duties as may be required to fulfil the job purpose.
Footnote
This Job Description summarises the major responsibilities of the post. It is not intended to exclude other activities, nor future changes from the postholder’s responsibilities.
Equality Act 2010
If you are a disabled applicant or an employee who has become disabled and this will affect your ability to do any of the above duties the Company will consider making some changes it thinks are reasonable.
Examples of changes may include providing equipment, making alterations to the workplace or changing some parts of the Job Description.
CALICO HOMES
PERSON SPECIFICATION
POST: Housing Support Worker – Elizabeth Street Project (weekends)
Selection Criteria
/ Essential/Desirable
E/D / Means of Assessment
QUALIFICATIONS
1. / NVQ Level 3 Health & Social Care, Advice & Guidance or equivalent. / E / A/C
EXPERIENCE
1. / Experience of providing direct support to customers in a supported housing environment. / E / A/I
2. / Experience of assessing the needs of individuals and families to establish level(s) of support needed. / E / A/I
3. / Experience of devising, implementing and monitoring support plans. / E / A/I
4. / Experience of assessing risk(s) to the individual, to staff members, other residents of the project and the wider community. / E / A/I
5. / Experience of working within a multi-agency/ multi-disciplinary environment. / E / A/I
6. / Experience of working flexible hours responsive to customer needs. / E / A
EXPERIENCE (CONT’D)
7. / Experience of Using IT systems to record, monitor and manage customer records. / E / A/I
8. / Experience of working with vulnerable Individuals and families and an awareness of vulnerability issues and measures to reduce vulnerability. / E / A/I
9. / Experience of office systems and procedures. /
E / A/I
SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE
1. / Effective and systematic organisational skills, and ability to prioritise workloads. / E / A/I
2. / Ability to communicate clearly to staff, customers, advocates and professionals verbally and in writing. / E / A/I
3. / High degree of self-motivation, initiative and flexibility. / E / I
4. / An understanding of housing related issues facing vulnerable people. / E / A/I
5. / An understanding of the Welfare system and benefit entitlements system. / E / A/I
6. / Ability to work effectively as part of a team. / E / I
OTHER REQUIREMENTS
1. / Commitment to Equal Opportunities. / E / I
2. / Commitment to Customer Care and the delivery of quality services. / E / I
3. / Possession of full current driving licence and motor vehicle. / D / C
BEHAVIOURS
The following behaviours describe how we expect staff to go about their work on a day to day basis. These behaviours help to create a workplace where everyone who works with Calico has the opportunity to learn and grow their talents in an environment where they feel valued and supported and where their efforts are rewarded and recognised. These behaviours will be assessed during the interview stage.
Passionate about customers
Customer focus is at the heart of what we do at Calico. This can be whether you deal with customers who live in our neighbourhoods or internal customers from other teams or partner organisations.
Rising to the challenge
Calico is an ambitious organisation that is determined to keep improving. This means that every member of staff should be supported to work at a pace and level that enables us to bring about the positive changes we want to achieve.
Committed to Calico
We all need to get the best out of our time at work and also put the best of ourselves into the work we do. To make sure we continue to achieve as an organisation we need dedicated staff to keep us moving forward.
Maximising Potential
There are always opportunities for us to work smarter, not harder, and that’s exactly what we need to do to make sure everybody achieves their potential. This means showing a willingness to try new things and put things right where necessary.
Inspiring leadership
We need confident managers who communicate honestly and appropriately, who lead by example and deliver on promises. They need to motivate, support, challenge and reward their teams to achieve high performance and coach their staff to unlock and develop their full potential / E
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Method of Assessment
A Application form
I Interview
P Presentation
W Written Exercise
S Skills test
C Production of Certificates