Floating Support Worker (Veterans)

Job Description

MAIN PURPOSE OF JOB:

Responsible for delivering SPEAR’s community based services to previously-homeless and vulnerably housed people – in particular ex–Service Personnel and their families.

REPORTING TO:

Tenancy Support Coordinator

SALARY:

£22,500

WORKING HOURS:

37.5 hours per week

PRINCIPAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

1.Service Delivery

To be responsible and accountable for delivering high quality support services forpreviously-homeless and vulnerably housed people, particularly ex- Service Personnel and their families

2.Resource Management

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

3.Casework Management

To be responsible and accountable for providing advice, support, motivation, crisis intervention and future planning, appropriate to the expressed needs of service users with the aim of ensuring that every client goes on to live independently

4.Organisational Responsibilities

To be responsible and accountable for contributing to the running of SPEAR’s integrated services

SPECIFIC DUTIES:

  1. Service Delivery
  • Assess and verify potential service users who are eligible for the Tenancy Support Service, particularly Ex- Service Personnel and their family members
  • Co ordinate with external agencies such as the Royal British Legion, SSAFA and other relevant agencies in order to provide adequate support provision to all service user groups including Veterans.
  • Provide an effective needs led service for clients throughout their engagement with SPEAR, in line with SPEAR’s policies and procedures
  • Conduct regular Floating Support in and around the Borough of Richmond and work with allocated clients to assess their needs, and to secure appropriate accommodation
  • Assist allocated clients to identify and work towards individual goals consistent with sustaining a tenancy in supported housing or privately rented accommodation.
  • Ensure that allocated clients have access to specialist services as required, utilising both internal and external resources
  1. Resource Management
  • Assist clients with finances, including welfare and housing benefits and grant claims, liaising with appropriate agencies where necessary.
  • Undertake pre-tenancy work with clients, to ensure that identified accommodation is appropriate, safe and promotes well being
  • Maintain a working knowledge of available resources for clients, signposting and referring as necessary
  • Maximise the opportunities available for clients through joint working with external providers

3.Casework Management

  • Undertake assessments and casework with clients seeking support or resettlement, ensuring an integrated approach to the support provision
  • Provide an effective needs-led service for clients throughout their engagement with SPEAR, in line with Policies and Procedures.
  • Work with internal and external colleagues to provide a seamless service for clients.
  • Participate in regular reviews of clients’ cases – alongside partner agencies and other SPEAR services
  • Work with clients to facilitate the best possible outcomes and address issues of social isolation
  • Maintain accurate records of work undertaken and contribute to the collation of service statistics.

4. Organisational Responsibilities

  • Promote SPEAR’s work to Veterans agencies and other organisations in a position to refer Veterans with housing and other support needs to our services
  • Liaise and work with all internal stakeholders to deliver an effective SPEAR wide service
  • To work towards the achievement of SPEAR’s three year Strategy and annual business plans.
  • 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 Landlords and Health and Safety Representatives
  • Undertake other duties as your line manager should require in keeping with the responsibility of the post

Person Specification

SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

Please use this Person Specification to complete section G of the application form.

Guidance notes have also been provided. You need to clearly demonstrate how your capabilities are relevant to each of these competencies.

  • Relevant recent experience, paid or voluntary, working with rough sleepers, vulnerably housed people, Veterans or other adults with support needs
  • An understanding of the issues affecting homeless people, based on your own experience of homelessness, professional work or voluntary experience.
  • A knowledge of the issues affecting ex –Service personnel and their families and dependants
  • Experience of care and support systems for homeless people or similar vulnerable groups, 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
  • A basic knowledge of appropriate legislation, including welfare benefits and housing law
  • The ability to work on your own initiative, creatively managing a varied workload
  • 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
  • Able to write reports and letter effectively
  • An understanding of equal opportunities and how it can be applied within SPEAR
  • An ability to represent SPEAR appropriately at all times, and work professionally with external agencies
  • An ability to promote a service to a wide range of audiences, from vulnerable clients to those in charge of other agencies.
  • Effective time and workload management

This role may require you to work evenings, nights and weekends. Use of your own transport would be an advantage - and there is a free car park – however, lack of transport would not prohibit you from doing the job.