Caerphilly Floating Tenancy Support Service

Dear Applicant

Support Worker

Caerphilly Floating Tenancy Support Service

Gofal is a mental health and wellbeing charity providing a range of services to support people who are experiencing or who have experienced mental ill health – something that will affect 1 in 4 of us in our lifetime. We also lobby and campaign to improve mental health policy, practice and legislation and to increase public understanding and awareness of mental health and wellbeing.

Thank you for your interest in working for Gofal and please find enclosed the following:

1)Information on Gofal and the post you have applied for

2)Role Expectations and Person Specification

3)Application Form

4)Equal Opportunity Monitoring Form

The closing date for receipt of your application is 9am Monday 8th July 2013. Please do ensure you return your application by this date and time. Gofal cannot be responsible for any applications received late and any applications that arrive after the deadline will not be considered.

Interviews will be heldWednesday 17th July 2013

Applications will be considered against the person specification and shortlisted candidates invited to interview. We therefore recommend that you read our Guidance notes (available on our website) before you complete your application.

Shortlisting will take place on Tuesday 9th July 2013.We will contact you as soon as possible after shortlisting to inform you of the outcome.

Once again, thank you for your interest in the post and we look forward to receiving your application.

Yours sincerely

Jo Thomas

HR Officer

About Gofal

Thinking differently about mental health and wellbeing

Gofal has been providing mental health and wellbeing services to people in Wales since 1990. We have come a long way since our first services opened in Bridgend, supporting the resettlement of people from the long stay psychiatric wards of Parc and Penyfai hospitals into homes in the community. We now operate across eleven local authorities in Wales and over 2,000 people use our services every year.

Our Vision

Good mental health and wellbeing for all

Our Mission

To have a positive lasting impact in all that we do by

Working together to provide services that we can be proud of
Demonstrating outstanding practice in relation to staff mental health and wellbeing, learning and development
Challenging the way we all think about, talk about and respond to mental health and wellbeing in all areas of our lives
Using our profile, influence and voice to improve the lives of people living with or at risk of experiencing mental ill health
Increasing the range and reach of our services through targeted and sustainable business growth
Spending our money where it will have the maximum impact

Our Aspirations

Gofal aspires to:

Work with integrity and dignity
Inspire and support people to exceed their expectations
Develop a culture that is embracing and respectful of difference
Communicate honestly and openly
Be an organisation that is ambitious, creative and determined
Create environments that are collaborative, supportive and empowering
Be respected for our knowledge and expertise

Gofal

Support Worker

Caerphilly FloatingTenancy Support Service

Location:Caerphilly office base – currently Ystrad Mynach

[with requirement for travel throughout Gofal areas of operation]

Salary:£15,000 per annum.

Hours:37 hours per week.

Holidays:26 days annual leave plus bank holidays (pro rata)

Holidays increase by 1 day for each year of service up to a maximum of 30 days(pro rata)

Pension:Pension in the form of a money purchase pension scheme:

-4.5% non-contributory employer contribution

-5.5% paid if employee contributes 1%

-6.5% paid if employee contributes 2% of more

Other Benefits:Income Protection

Life Assurance

Child Care Vouchers

Employee Assistance Programme

Opportunities for flexible working

Training and personal development opportunities

The Service

This post is within our Caerphilly Floating Tenancy Support Service providing support on a wide variety of issues to people in the community and in their own homes to enable them to manage their own mental health.

The role will provide support around debt management, budgeting and claiming benefits, as well as daily living skills, accessing education, training, employment and leisure opportunities and improving physical wellbeing.

CTFSW Support Worker - CaerphillyFloating & TSSPage 1 of 20

June2013

ROLE EXPECTATIONS

Post:Support Worker

Accountable to:Project Co-ordinator

Location:Caerphilly office base

Date:June2013

Job Purpose:● To assist in or provide social, emotional and practical support to people with mental health and associated problems

● To work alongside Case Workers, Supporting people to live independently and manage their own mental health

● To comply with and maintain all necessary administrative and report systems

Role Expectations:

Service User Support Work

To support Case Workers and Line Managers in the assessment of needs of individuals referred to the project, obtaining additional information as necessary.
To effectively manage and maintain one’s own case load to ensure that an effective service is delivered to service users.
To work with the service user/Case Worker and Line Manager to draw up support plans to meet identified needs, and ensure support is delivered in line with the support plan.
To support service users in moving towards independent living in a recovery orientated way.
To review progress and relevance of risk assessments and support plans and update accordingly to ensure that risk is managed effectively, monitored on a regular basis.
To encourage service users to provide their views on the service, eg through feedback surveys
To liaise with other agencies with and on behalf of service users as part of planned support, to include participation in joint meetings and case reviews, ensuring collaboration and effective support planning
To support service users to access information and advice in order that they are able to make informed choices in matters that affect them, to promote their independence.

Administrative Requirements

To keep accurate notes of all support provided in line with funding requirements
To ensure that risk assessments, support plans and reviews are maintained up to date.
To ensure all relevant information is shared with colleagues and other services as appropriate.
To ensure all project communication methods are used appropriately and effectively.
To ensure that IT systems are used effectively and in line with organisational procedures – eg. Use of e-mail and database systems.
To provide all relevant information to head office and external organisations as required.

Organisation Expectations

To carry out all duties in a manner that reflects Gofal’s Aspirations:

Work with integrity and dignity
Inspire and support people to exceed their expectations
Develop a culture that is embracing and respectful of difference
Communicate honestly and openly
Be an organisation that is ambitious, creative and determined
Create environments that are collaborative, supportive and empowering
Be respected for our knowledge and expertise

GOFAL

Person Specification

Post: Support Worker

Essential / Desirable / Assessed through
Experience
Experience of working in the health and social care field, providing support, assistance and advice to individuals /  / Application
Knowledge and Understanding
How health and social care can contribute to people’s lives /  / Application
Ways to involve service users in the further development of the project /  / Application/ Interview
How people may become discriminated against because of their difference and how this may manifest itself /  / Application/ Interview
Knowledge and understanding of the welfare benefits system /  / Application
Knowledge and understanding of mental health problems and how they can affect an individual’s life /  / Interview
Qualifications and skills
A recognised relevant qualification (eg NVQ 2 in Care) or willingness to obtain qualification /  / Application
Full current driving licence and access to your own transport /  / Application
Ability to communicate in Welsh /  / Application
Competencies
Demonstrate integrity and dignity in all interactions with others /  / Interview
Support colleagues to deliver at their best /  / Interview
Demonstrate respect of difference in all interactions with others /  / Interview
Communicate in a clear and concise way /  / Application/ Interview
Work with a flexible and adaptable approach to achieve agreed outcomes /  / Interview
Work effectively in partnership with others /  / Interview
Regularly discuss own development needs with line manager, and attend training events identified /  / Application/ Interview

Applicants for the post of Supported Accommodation Support Worker will be required to demonstrate evidence of competency at level 1; please refer to the Competency Framework below.

Competency Framework

Gofal aspires to:Work with integrity and dignity

Level 1: Demonstrate integrity and dignity in all interactions with others

Maintain appropriate personal boundaries in all interactions with service users, colleagues and external contacts
Express opinions genuinely and honestly, while being mindful of the impact on others
Take responsibility for reflecting on own behaviours
Maintain confidentiality and be trustworthy in relationships with service users and colleagues
Bring to the attention of line managers, any situations where standards of integrity or dignity are believed to have been breached.
Make every effort to deliver on commitments made.

Gofal aspires to:Inspire and support people to exceed their expectations

Level 1: Support colleagues to deliver at their best

Role model positive and constructive behaviours to service users and colleagues
Share knowledge, skills and learning to help others to be at their best.
Work in a way that supports and promotes the wellbeing of others.
Participate openly and constructively in team meetings
Work co-operatively with others, supporting colleagues to deliver their best to service users
Actively engage in own supervision and appraisal, preparing and participating fully
Maintain high quality standards in file and record keeping
Notice and acknowledge great contribution from others

Gofal aspires to: Develop a culture that is embracing and respectful of difference

Level 1: Demonstrate respect of difference in all interaction with others

Have a reputation for being a great listener
Demonstrate a commitment to the value of equality and respect for diversity
Show an awareness of the different needs of people from different backgrounds, cultures and life experiences
Seek to understand the perspective of service users through genuine interest and questioning
Demonstrate an open mind with people who may have a different viewpoint.
Use language which is positive and non-judgmental towards others

Gofal aspires to:Communicate honestly and openly

Level 1: Communicate in a clear and concise way

See communication as a two way process, actively seeking out communication, as well as actively listening to the message delivered.
Use a communication style which is appropriate to the listener
Use words appropriately, communicating in language which matches the organisation’s values.
Using observation, be able to judge the listener’s response and adapt communication accordingly.
Use written and IT based communication to explain key points clearly and effectively, and in appropriate detail.
Role model honesty and openness in communication with others, using genuine care in the delivery of messages and challenging colleagues to do the same.

Gofal aspires to: Be an organisation that is ambitious, creative and determined

Level 1: Work with a flexible and adaptable approach to achieve agreed outcomes.

Bring energy, passion and excitement into all your work
Demonstrate dedication and commitment to the team objectives
Have a commitment to ‘never giving up on a person’, even when they are challenging to you
Use available time to achieve the best possible outcomes, and be flexible where priorities change
Stay enthusiastic and remain positive through setbacks
Work with colleagues and service users to come up with creative solutions
Face change with a positive and constructive approach
Ask for help and support where it is needed to ensure own wellbeing
Use mistakes as a way to learn for the future

Gofal aspires to:Create environments that are collaborative, supportive and empowering

Level 1: Work effectively in partnership with others

Build strong and constructive relationships with colleagues and service users
Build and maintain trust with service users and other individuals outside the organisation
Seek out contacts in other teams within the organisation, to share learning, support and experience
Be seen as a strong representative of the organisation with external contacts, and actively build networks which can help in delivery of service
Work positively through difference of opinion to get to the best outcome

Gofal aspires to: Be respected for our knowledge and expertise

Level 1: Regularly discuss own development needs with line manager, and attend training events identified.

Take responsibility for seeking out knowledge and finding out information to help own learning.
Take an active part in own development, working with your Line Manager to identify your development needs.
Attend all training programmes identified, participate fully and discuss the learning with your Line Manager afterwards.
Reflect on new learning, and how to use it for the best outcome of service users

Application for the post of:Support Worker – Caerphilly Floating Tenancy Support Service

Closing date for the receipt of application forms is: ______

This page will be removed from the application form before shortlisting, to enable us to shortlist candidates anonymously. Therefore please avoid using your name, elsewhere on the application.

PERSONAL INFORMATION

Surname
First Names
Address
(including postcode)
Contact Telephone Number
E-mail address

REFERENCES

At least one of your references should be a present or most recent employer, tutor, volunteer work supervisor etc. If your most recent employer is not in a similar field but you have worked with a vulnerable client group within the last 5 years then we will also require a reference from this organisation.

References will be requested after interview and Gofal reserves the right to contact any previous employer.

Name______
Address: ______
______
______Postcode______
Telephone no: ______
E-mail: ______
Relationship to yourself: ______/ Name______
Address: ______
______
______Postcode______
Telephone no: ______
E-mail: ______
Relationship to yourself: ______

Wellbeing

Gofal is committed to equality of opportunity and welcomes applications from all. When shortlisting applicants, the information used is that which relates to the person specification. Gofal upholds the commitments of the Disability Symbol. Where applicants meet all essential criteria then if a disability is declared an interview will be guaranteed and that applicant will not be further assessed against desirable criteria.
The Equality Act, 2010 defines a disability as:
“A physical or mental impairment which has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on a person’s ability to carry out normal day to day activities.”
With reference to the above statement do you consider yourself to have any disabilities:
YES / NO (please delete as appropriate)
If YES, please highlight any additional support or special arrangements you would require if you are shortlisted and invited to interview.

Are you subject to any restrictions which would prevent you from taking employment in the United Kingdom? (Documentary Evidence will be required) YES/NO(please delete as appropriate)

If YES please provide details:

CRIMINAL CONVICTIONS

Gofal aims to promote equality of opportunity for all with the right mix of talent, skills and potential and as such welcomes applications for employment from a diverse range of candidates, including those with criminal records.
Due to the nature of our work with vulnerable adults, some posts at Gofal are exempt from the provisions of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act and as such will request information on all convictions including those that would be deemed to be ‘spent’ under this act. Checks are made with the Disclosure and Barring Service and any offer of employment is made subject to receipt of a satisfactory Disclosure.
A criminal record or conviction is not necessarily a bar to employment with Gofal and each case will be decided on the individual circumstances.
The above is the policy statement of Gofal, if you wish to see our full procedure then please do contact the office in confidence and a copy will be sent to you.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

How much notice are you required to give? ______
How did you hear of this post, please specify? ______
Are you to your knowledge, known to any Trustee or employee of Gofal? YES / NO* (please delete as appropriate)
Details: ______
I confirm that to the best of my knowledge the information given in this application is true and correct. I understand that if any false information is given it may result in the withdrawal of an offer or termination of employment should I be appointed.
Signed ______Date: ______

EDUCATION

(Including secondary, further and vocational education)

Dates / Establishment / Qualifications and Grades

OTHER TRAINING ATTENDED

Dates / Course Details – Title and length of course

EMPLOYMENT

Please provide details of your work history, both paid and unpaid, in chronological order. Please ensure that you do not leave gaps unaccounted for. Gofal reserves the right to contact any of your previous employers
DATES / PAID OR UNPAID / EMPLOYER / POSITION AND DUTIES / REASON FOR LEAVING

SUPPORTING STATEMENT

Please use this section to provide your supporting statement which should address the criteria outlined in the person specification. The information provided in this section helps us to determine who to invite for interview. Before completing it you may find it useful to read our Guidance Document for Applicants available on the recruitment section of our website

Please attach additional sheets if required.

Please note that we do not accept CV’s in place of this section.

Supporting Statement of Applicant

DRIVING

Do you hold a current driving licence? YES/NO