Meaningful Occupation Worker (Activities, Training, Education)

Role: Meaningful Occupation Worker (Activities)
Location: Hackney, London
Hours – 37.5 (including some evenings & weekends)
Contract: Temporary – 2 months +
Rate: £14.4 p/hr

Our client a small Housing Association based in East London are seeking a Meaningful Occupation Worker to join their team on a temporary basis.
You will be responsible to initiate and encourage group activities within the projects, encourage and refer their clients to attend activities as well as meaningful activities within the wider community.
You must be able to motivate service users to help them to identify their aspirations. In addition you will consult with service users & involve them in the design and running of the service.

The role is challenging and varied for initiating and developing a broad range of activities and group sessions within the project and the wider community.
You will already have experience of working with people with drug issues, and an understanding of the experiences of homeless people, and broad experience of tenant participation and working with statutory and voluntary sector agencies.

Job Duties:

To liaise closely with other teams within the organisation to ensure a range of suitable activities are provided for service users in resource centres e.g. Arts, excursions, service user involvement.
To work closely with the Specialist Services Team and key workers to ensure that activities complement the requirements of the service users and the constraints of service provision.
To develop and maintain records of a network of contacts with agencies providing employment, training, education, and day care activities from which service users may benefit
To explore opportunities for the development of innovative employment, training and meaningful occupation projects focusing on the needs of residents.
To work closely with service user groups to involve them in the design and running of the service.
To promote activities to service users across the organisation
To develop and implement a referral system for various activities.
To produce publicity material for service users and raising awareness of staff and clients of the available opportunities.

Experience Required:

To be able to demonstrate a knowledge of a wide range of meaningful occupation, learning and personal development opportunities, both formal and informal.
Knowledge/understanding of social issues linked to homelessness, including substance abuse and mental health needs.
Competent administrative skills, with a knowledge of ICT applications (MS Office) and keyboard skills
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills. Able to communicate clearly in both verbally and in writing to service users, internal and external contacts.
Proven experience of supporting and motivating vulnerable people at challenging times in their lives
Experience of dealing directly with the public and/or clients in a pressurised service environment (ideally within the housing with support sector) and the ability to maintain a calm approach within challenging situations. Ability to assess and manage risk.
Ability to maintain enthusiasm in a high pressured, client facing environment and to develop new ways of engaging service users, new service delivery models, and new systems.
A commitment to housing/homeless issues, working with vulnerable people and empathy.