Complex Case Worker / Outreach Support / Energy Household Support

Salary: £28,906 per year

Act on Energy is a fast growing and dynamic regional energy advice charity. We are currently looking for a Complex Case Worker to provide vital support to vulnerable households across South Warwickshire. We are on a mission to put customers at the heart of everything we do. So, if you feel you would like to be part of our journey then carry-on reading.

The energy efficiency sector is currently experiencing a period of significant growth. Set against this; there is currently a rapidly emerging picture of increasing numbers of households, both regionally and nationally, who are experiencing increasing levels of both fuel poverty and levels of wider household debt. The successful candidate will work with and actively support these diverse and vulnerable households across the South of Warwickshire.

The role

You will provide housing related support to vulnerable and socially excluded people who present with complex needs. Through developing tailored multi-agency person centred independence plans, individuals will be enabled to develop the skills required to maintain their homes whilst establishing themselves to better live in the community and lead more independent and comfortable lives in their own homes.

You will create links with partner agencies to tackle the impact of people who are in fuel poverty. Your work will be community-based and will work with GP practices and other health and social care organisations, as well as teams allied to these organisations. Your work will also help prevent the need for people to be admitted to hospital, reduce over-reliance on GPs and/or home care providers, reduce social isolation and improve health and wellbeing. In tandem with the above, your work will help tackle fuel poverty, support households to improve the energy efficiency of their homes, save money and improving the quality of their lives.

Responsibilities

* You will co-ordinate and deliver the complex case worker project from inception to completion, you will create a strong platform for other organisations to refer into enabling you to complete over 300 Home visits and over 100 complex telephone or virtual enquiries.

* You will assist with the training of over 100 front line staff throughout the life span of the project and oversee the delivery and installation of small measures to over 100 homes during your home visits.

* You will deploy a suite of simple to use tool kits to assist and support residents to achieve greater energy awareness and enable longer-term behavioural changes around their energy consumption.

* You will also be required to produce several case studies after engagement has taken place and with the permission and direct involvement of residents, to demonstrate the success of the service.

* You will support households through the provision of energy advice and onward support to ensure that vulnerable householders in fuel poverty are given the relevant support needed. This support will be holistic in its approach and will provide residents with advice on energy saving, income maximisation options and health and wellbeing support.

* You will carry out the installation of low-cost energy measures and make onward referrals for physical interventions in individuals’ homes.

* You will take time to understand people’s needs and understand various referral pathways available throughout the region to help seek solutions where needed.

* You will also provide support to front line staff at partner agencies, GP’s, and social care teams so they can access and understand the relationship between warm homes and improved health outcomes attending meetings and events to promote the project.

* You must be able to communicate at all levels with confidence, be comfortable using CRM systems have an eye for detail and possess excellent reporting skills.

* You will work in the community and from home with one day per week based at the offices of Act on Energy.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

This role is ideally suited to individuals with significant experience of working with vulnerable households/clients, families, and their carer’s. Experience working with front line teams in the health and social care sector, GP’s, Hospitals, and other social care organisations is a must. You will be a confident communicator at all levels with a methodical and well organised approach to work.

You will need to operate independently and have the skills to manage your workload from home, use our case management database and communications systems, understand privacy rules and safeguarding. All our Outreach teams are part of our office-based team who will provide virtual or face to face support/supervision, training, and case meetings.

Essential:

* Experience of working with vulnerable customers/ households in the community

* Knowledge and experience of housing, health and social care services and practice

* Experience delivering advice and training sessions

* Educated at least to A level or equivalent with an excellent standard of written English

* Excellent customer service skills, the ability to communicate with a wide range of audiences

* Demonstrate accurate numerical skills with an eye for detail when processing information

* Excellent Self-management skills, to enable workload organisation from home, prioritisation, and implementation, with minimum supervision

* Flexible approach – demonstrating ability to respond positively to changes in allocation of work at short notice to set deadlines

* Commitment to equal opportunities and anti-discriminatory practice and to work with a diverse customer base.

* Excellent Computer skills including MS word and excel and experience of CRM systems

* Driving licence and use of own car

Desirable

* Knowledge of domestic sustainable energy and affordable warmth issues

* Level 3 award in Energy Awareness desirable but not essential as training will be provided

* Good general knowledge of energy infrastructure in UK

* Experience of working in, or in support of, local or other statutory authorities

Full Time 37.5 hours per week Monday to Friday 9:00am & 5:30pm – Occasional weekend work may be required – 2-year fixed term.

If you would like to apply for this role please send a copy of your CV to Kate Evans quoting the reference number GPACT