Specialist Outreach Worker

Job Description

MAIN PURPOSE OF JOB:

Responsible for delivering outreach services for single homeless people with very complex needs across Richmond and Wandsworth

REPORTING TO:

Resettlement Team Manager

SALARY:

£25,000

WORKING HOURS:

37.5 hours per week

PRINCIPAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

1.Service Delivery

To be responsible and accountable for the effective delivery of high quality outreach services for rough sleepers and vulnerable homeless people in line with SPEAR’s policies and procedures

2.Resource Management

To be responsible and accountable for the effective utilisation of a range of accommodation options and accessible services, working within the services’ financial resources

3.Team Responsibilities

To be responsible and accountable for participating in an effective Outreach Team

4.Casework Management

To be responsible and accountable forensuring provision of advice, support, motivation, crisis intervention and future planning, appropriate to the expressed needs of service users.

5.Organisational Responsibilities

To be responsible and accountable for contributing to the running of SPEAR’s integrated services for single homeless people and delivery of SPEAR’s strategy

SPECIFIC DUTIES:

1.Service Delivery

  • Provide an effective needs led service for clients throughout their engagement with SPEAR, in line with SPEAR’s policies and procedures
  • Conduct regular outreach work in order to identify and make contact with rough sleepers, carrying out verification where necessary
  • Work with allocated clients to assess their needs and secure appropriate accommodation
  • Ensure that allocated clients have access to specialist services as required, utilising both internal and external resources

2. Resource Management

  • Assist clients with finances, including benefit claims and debt issues, liaising with appropriate agencies
  • Maintain a working knowledge of available resources for clients, especially accommodation providers, to ensure the greatest choice of suitable referral agencies for service users
  • Maximise the opportunities available for clients through development of partnerships with external providers
  • Work with a team of volunteers to manage the Rough Sleeper helpline triage system

3.Team Responsibilities

  • Participate in staff management and support systems in line with SPEAR’s policies and procedures, including induction, supervision, appraisal and training audits
  • Contribute to regular team meetings
  • Maintain a safe and appropriate physical environment for staff and service users, in conjunction with the Health and Safety Representatives

4.Casework Management

  • Undertake assessments and casework with clients seeking support, ensuring an integrated approach to the support provision
  • Participate in regular reviews of clients’ cases – where relevant involving partner agencies and other SPEAR services
  • Develop positive working relationships with clients in order to facilitate the best possible outcomes and to address issues of social isolation and exclusion
  • Maintain accurate records of work undertaken
  1. Organisational Responsibilities
  • Work as part of the Outreach Team to devise and contribute to new initiatives for the service and the whole of SPEAR
  • Liaise and work with all internal stakeholders to deliver an effective SPEAR wide service
  • Undertake other duties as your line manager should require in keeping with the responsibility of the post

Outreach Worker

Person Specification

  • Relevant recent experience, either paid or voluntary, working with homeless people or rough sleepers. Primarily working with people that display complex needs and behaviours
  • A knowledge of the issues affecting single homeless people
  • An understanding of the causes of, and pathways out of, homelessness
  • Experience of care and support systems for homeless people, including key working, care planning and joint working
  • Experience of conducting client assessments and interviews
  • The ability to work with clients who may display challenging behaviour
  • The ability to work within a team and on your own initiative
  • An understanding of and commitment to confidentiality and professional boundaries
  • Solid IT skills, including competence with word processing, spreadsheets, database and email and ability to learn how to use new IT applications

This role will require you to work some early mornings or late evenings in order to conduct outreach shifts. There may also be occasional weekend work. A full clean driving licence is essential and use of your own transport would be an advantage.