Case Worker Cardiff Tenancy Support Service

Dear Applicant

Case Worker – Cardiff 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, Person Specification and Competency Framework

3)Application Form

4)Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form

The closing date for receipt of your application is 9.00 am Monday 22nd September 2014 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.

Shortlisting will take place on Monday 22nd September 2014 We will contact you as soon as possible after shortlisting to inform you of the outcome.

Interviews will be held on Thursday 25th September 2014

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.

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

Yours sincerely

Jo Thomas

Human Resources 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 have a turnover in excess of £4million. We support over 2,000 people every year, employing around 130 people.

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

Case Worker

Cardiff Tenancy Support Service

Location:Cardiff office base

[with requirement for travel throughout Gofal areas of operation]

Salary:£18,500 per annum.

Contract: Fixed term until March 2015

Hours:37 hours per week

[limited weekend and evening work may be required]

Holidays:26 days annual leave plus bank holidays.

Holidays increase by 1 day for each year of service up to a maximum of 30 days.

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

Employee Assistance Programme

Opportunities for flexible working

Training and personal development opportunities

The Service

The current vacancy is within our Cardiff Tenancy Support Service providing support on a variety of issues to people in their own homes to enable people to manage their own mental health and to maintain their tenancies.

Case Worker Cardiff TSS Page 1 of 21

Aug 2014

GOFAL

Post: Case Worker

Service:Cardiff Tenancy Support Service

Reporting to: Project Co-ordinator

Office Base:Cardiff Project Base (Penylan Road, Roath)

Date:August 2014

Job Purpose● To provide a range of social, emotional and practical support to people with mental health and associated problems.

● To provide support and mentoring to Support Workers in the implementation of support plans.

● To comply with and maintain all necessary administrative and reporting systems.

Role Expectations:

Support Work

1. To lead on assessment of needs of individuals referred to the projects, obtaining additional information as necessary.
2. To effectively manage and maintain one’s own case load to ensure that an effective service is delivered to its service users.
3. To work with the service user and, where relevant, Support Workers to draw up support plans to meet identified needs, ensuring support is delivered in line with the support plan.
4. To review progress and relevance of risk assessments and support plans and update accordingly to ensure that risk is managed effectively and monitored on a regular basis.
5. To work co-operatively with other relevant organisations providing elements of the support plan.
6. To involve service users in the development, running and evaluation of the service.
7. To liaise with other agencies with and on behalf of service users as part of planned support, including participation in joint meetings and case reviews.
8. To support service users to access information and advice in order that they are able to make informed choices in matters that affect them.

Support and mentoring

1. To provide support and advice to Support Workers in their delivery of support to individuals, where required.

Administrative requirements

1. To keep accurate notes of all support provided in line with funding requirements.
2. To ensure that risk assessments, support plans and reviews are maintained up to date.
3. To ensure all relevant information is shared with colleagues and other services as appropriate.
4. To ensure all project communication methods are used appropriate and effectively.
5. To ensure that IT systems are used effectively and in line with organisational procedures – eg. Use of e-mail and database systems.
6. 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:

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

Gofal

Person Specification

Post: Case Worker – Cardiff Tenancy Support Service

Applicants for the post of Case Worker – Cardiff TSS will be required to demonstrate evidence of competency at levels 1 and 2; 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.

Level 2: Role Model behaviours of integrity and dignity to other team members

• Give feedback to colleagues where behaviours are noticed which do not demonstrate integrity or dignity
• Help others to understand their responsibilities to act with integrity and dignity
• Actively seek feedback to understand own personal impact on others, and use personal insights.

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

Level 2: Support the team to deliver at its best

• Demonstrate flexibility and adaptability to change
• Support colleagues in managing the emotional impact of their work
• Actively seek out information to share, which will help the team in its work
• Take a role in mentoring team members who need help or support
• Actively suggest ideas for improvement for the team
• Bring the great contribution of colleagues to the attention of 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

Level 2: Role model behaviours underpinned by respect of difference

• Give support to others where they may be finding it difficult to deal with issues of equality or

difference

• Share experiences and knowledge which can help others embrace difference in their work and lives

and take every opportunity to learn more about equality issues

• Challenge behaviour which does not demonstrate a respect of difference
• Work to resolve conflict where it is observed

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.

Level 2: Adapt communication to the audience

• Think in advance about the most effective way to deliver the message, and adapt communication accordingly.
• Simplify complex messages where necessary, so that others can understand key points.
• Use a variety of communication methods with confidence, and understand where each is most effective.
• Represent the organisation externally, and be able to speak confidently about its work.
• Deliver difficult messages with honesty and compassion.

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

Level 2: Identify the best outcomes, solve problems and overcome barriers to achievement.

• Actively try out different approaches to tackling problems
• Generously share ideas for service improvement and better ways of working
• Build an outcome focus into all aspects of work
• Support service users and colleagues in positive risk taking, allowing them to overcome barriers and

achieve the best outcomes

• Help colleagues to deal with changes they may be facing in a way which is right for them
• Demonstrate resilience when facing challenges, seeking and using the support which you need

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

Level 2: Identify new opportunities to seek and share experience with others

• Identify contacts inside and outside of the organisation who can support partnership working and

collaboration

• Share contacts across the organisation, where it may help other teams to develop their service
• Encourage other team members to make their own contacts inside and outside of the organisation
• Take an active part in organising events which encourage others to come together to support and

share experience

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.

Level 2: Proactively identify own development needs and take action to meet them.

• Identify any areas in your own performance where you need further development, and understand how best to get the training or experience you need.
• Actively seek out others who may have the knowledge or skills you require, and ask for support for your learning.
• Clearly understand the link between your learning and delivery of the best outcome for service users.
• Take on development which is stretching and challenging, where it will have the best results on your own performance.
• Show a passion and commitment for keeping updated with new information which impacts on your own performance and delivery of standards.

Application for the post of: ______Case Worker - Cardiff ______

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.