Location: / Staging Post, 65Margery Street, WC1X 0JH
Supervised by: / Housing Pathway Advisors
Last Reviewed: / July 2013 2013
What is a No Second Night Out Staging Post?
The NSNO staging post is a short term bed space in either a shared house or at William Martin Court; the later is located on the first floor at the North Assessment Centre in Islington. The bed spaces available are in single rooms or can be shared with one other person. The staging post provides basic facilities such as a bathroom and a kitchen where individuals can prepare meals. Breakfast is provided and available for clients to prepare themselves during morning hours. The staging post is provided by NSNO and clients are not charged for rent or bills.
The staging post serves the purpose of providing the individual with a temporary place to stay when they have been assessed and a reconnection plan has been identified and established at the NSNO hubs as the Privately Rented Sector. It serves to provide temporary respite from rough sleeping in order for individuals to work productively with staff and use the resources and facilities that can ensure a rapid reconnection into the Private Rented Sector. Therefore casework will continue be implemented whilst the individual resides at the staging post. A continuous high level of engagement will be expected as the individual moves from assessment hub to staging post.
The staging post is part of a second stage process for PRS clients but also acts as a separate entity in itself. Once an individual has been referred to a staging post any contact with the assessment hub will end and all casework will continue with the Housing Pathway Advisorsmand staff at William Morris Court.
The role of the Housing Pathway Advisors (HPAs)
HPAs are responsible for the rapid move-on of individuals from an NSNO staging post into longer term settled accommodation. Primarily the move on will be into the Private Rented Sector. For those over 35 the move-on option can be into a studio or one bedroom flat or shared accommodation and those under 35 into shared accommodation or a hostel. The HPAs work jointly with staff at William Morris Court and volunteers to undertake direct casework and ensure that reconnection plans are being implemented.
There are two HPAs based at William Morris Court who gate keep access into the staging post accommodation. Therefore all referrals come directly through the HPAs who then use their discretion to decide if an individual is eligible and which staging post is most suitable. They will ensure that everyone who makes the transition from assessment hub to staging post are clear who they report to and what is expected of them.
They work closely with Local Authorities across London helping to identify and improve pathways out of rough sleeping based on direct experiences from casework. Through liaising with a Local Authorities the aim is to build up a picture of the local service provision available in London for non-priority rough sleepers who are trying to access the private rented sector.
Purpose of Volunteer Role
Volunteers will support the work of the HPAs to secure accommodation for clients in the privately rented sector. This will involve helping clients search for properties online, complete forms and make email or phone call enquires about properties. Volunteers will also be asked to accompany clients to the staging post accommodation from either hub, to collect keys and ensure the client is booked into the accommodation. Part of the role maybe being asked to accompany clients to property viewings and support them to ask relevant questions. You will also be able to give important feedback to the HPAs on the property.
Volunteers will be based in the William Martin Court office, North Assessment Hub, 65 Margery Street in Islington, WC1X0JH. You will be expected to travel withinLondon – all travel expenses within your shift will be paid for by NSNO.
A. Key tasks
- Providing support to clientsmaking journeys to staging post accommodation (in Islington and Tottenham) from both hubs (Islington and Shepherds Bush) and to properties in London
- Accompanying clients to London YMCAs (to pay for keys and room deposits etc)
- Supporting the reconnections process by making travel/ticketing arrangements
- Researching travel options and printing maps
- Assisting clients to make phone calls, complete forms and navigate property searchs online
- Assisting clients and the HPAs to complete referral forms
- Assisting clients with phone calls (e.g. to the Department of Work and Pensions)
- Helping clients to apply for crisis loans
- Taking clear notes/messages from phone calls for other team members
- Making follow up calls to clarify status of previous reconnections (ie: check whether person is still in their accommodation)
- Using IT and information systems
- General admin and filing
B. Key Skills/Abilities
We expect Housing Pathway volunteers to:
- Be willing to travel outside of the North hub and to be comfortable using public transport in London
- be reliable and punctual
- have good communication skills
- feel comfortable using the phone and to have basic customer care skills
- basic IT skills
- have a non-judgemental attitude
- be willing to work as part of a team
- be willing to ask for support or guidance
- have the ability to follow Health and Safety regulations, Equal Opportunities and Confidentiality policies once explained
- be willing to undergo a CRB check
- be professional at all times
C. Commitment
We are asking volunteers to commit to offering to cover a minimum of one, four hour shift a fortnight, ideally in a regular slot. The shift time needs to be between the hours of 9am and 7pm.Occasionally you might be asked to accompany clients from either hub to the staging post accommodation in the early evening if you are available to.
D. Support offered to volunteers:
All volunteers will be given induction and training prior to starting their voluntary work. The Assessment Hub will be staffed at all times so there will always be someone on duty available to provide on-the-job advice and support. Volunteers are encouraged to give feedback on their experience and will receive a monthly newsletter to keep them informed about the project.
E. Possible Development Opportunities
There are opportunities to develop your volunteering role but please note that taking on any extra responsibility is optional and would require assessment of skills and additional training. Development opportunities could include undertaking outreach shifts or working on reconnecting hub clients, or undergoing CHAIN (the Combined Homelessness And Information Network) training.
After six months of regular volunteering, a professional reference can be provided. For further information, please contact
F. Next Steps
If you are interested in applying to be a Housing Pathway Volunteer role then please complete the volunteer application form. You will then be asked to an informal interview or Inforamtion and Recruitment evening, whichwill be held at the William Martin Court Office, Margery St, Islington. If successful at interview/ at the eveing you will be asked to complete a CRB form and your references will be contacted. Once both of your references have been received and signed off by the HR department, and your DBS has come back clear you will be invited to an induction at the hub. This will cover: introduction to the HPAs; health and safety at the building and being shown around the Staging Post and North Hub; the process of clients being referred to Staging Post and the different accommodation options offered; the tasks that you will be assigned when on shift. After your induction the Admin Officer will liaise with you to arrange your shifts, which will then be added to the volunteer calendar.