Key Worker

Salary: £14.4 – £18 per hour

Key Worker/Support Worker

Our client is a Christian faith-based charity that creates positive change in people’s lives. In Bracknell, our client provides accommodation for 8 single homeless vulnerable men aged over 25 from a variety of backgrounds including: offending, mental health, domestic violence and alcohol & drug abuse to help them achieve independent living and employment.

Job description

Job Purpose:

You will assist residents to move on to independent living and permanent accommodation including referral management, initial assessments, upholding of house rules, benefit support, budgeting and life skills support. The role requires close working with a range of agencies such as Housing Services, Mental Health Services, Adult Social Care, Drug and Alcohol Service, Police and Partner organisations.

Principal duties and responsibilities

Outreach Support and External Agencies

• To build and maintain good working relationships with external agencies to benefit the support needs of the residents (including referral, workshops, move-on, education, training and employment opportunities).

• To promote the Client’s project in the community and raise awareness of the project.

• Maintaining relationships with referral partners to provide a reasonable pipeline of possible entrants to the house and to give them a concrete understanding of the Client’s referral process.

• To meet with prospective residents to assess their suitability for entry to the Client’s House including undertaking substance misuse testing and to facilitate the Client’s residents entrance panel.

• To obtain the necessary risk assessments, references, and PNCs for possible entrants to the house

• Raising awareness of the project with the necessary stakeholders

• Attend meetings with stakeholders, partners and the Bracknell Borough Rough Sleepers Strategic Panel

• To conduct house inductions for new residents

• Deliver regular reporting and updates to Operation Director/Housing Project Manager

• Identifying individual licence sustainment needs through assessment and an identified Housing Plan detailing risks, licensing sustainment needs and move on plans

• Ensure all incidents and complaints are reported and dealt with in line with organisations processes.

• Conduct weekly health and safety checks ensure issues and defects are reported and resolved promptly

• Responsible for relevant charges and top ups are collected from the residents

• Monitor and maintain the project’s petty cash float on a weekly basis

• Ensure all complaints, incidents of anti-social behaviour and harassment are fully investigated and dealt with, and take appropriate enforcement action to ensure effective resolution including legal remedies where necessary

• To carry out pre-void inspections, arrange re-letting works, obtain nominations, assess applications and complete new licence agreements

Knowledge/experience of supporting clients with complex needs including, worklessness, individuals involved in crime or antisocial behaviour, addiction and recovery related issues is essential for this role

Personal Support and Empowerment

Residents support

• Assessing residents’ needs, preparing individual support plans and updating support plans as necessary. Support plans to be approved by Management.

• To hold a caseload of 8 male clients with complex needs being available to provide support and to deal with queries

• Regular contact with residents as per their support plan

• Undertake support work with clients

• Introduce and support clients to access appropriate services and support client to sustain engagement

• Support clients to progress to their next step with the ultimate aim of getting them back to work and participating in a thriving community

Knowledge/experience of supporting clients with complex needs including, worklessness, individuals involved in crime or antisocial behaviour, addiction and recovery related issues is essential for this role

Resident Involvement & Regulatory Standards and Compliance

• Ensure all residents have the opportunity to shape and influence service delivery in relation to housing management.

• Maintain a thorough knowledge and work within all client’s Policies and Procedures (i.e. Code of Conduct, Safeguarding and Health & Safety policies & procedures, as well all policies & procedures in relation to housing and reception duties).

Our client is committed to ensuring the health, safety and welfare of employees and safeguarding all participants in the project.

Other duties and Responsibilities

• Undertake other duties commensurate with grade and status

• Attend regular supervision and other personal development activities (training events), so commits to continual professional development.

• To ensure proper holiday notice is provided to arrange cover

• Occasional working outside normal hours to attend evening and weekend events or to attend to emergencies on behalf of the Housing Project Manager.

• Providing an effective handover of files, procedures and casework at the end of the fixed term to the Housing Project Manager.

Key Worker Person Specification

• Housing, Health, Social Work, Counselling, Outreach or Keyworker Qualification or experience

• Minimum of 3 years’ experience supporting clients

• Full driving licence and use of a car would be advantageous

• Experience as a keyworker in a homeless charity advantageous

• Experience of working in a drug and alcohol service would be advantageous

• Transferable skills: experience of working in a drug and alcohol service\probation service\adult social care\supported housing\adult learning or learning disabilities

• This post will be subject to enhanced DBS and Right to work in the UK checks.