Salvation Army Job Description

Job Title: Community Support Key Worker

Work Location:Southwark Salvation Army

Salary:£22,500

Responsible to:Community Centre Manager

Accountable to:Corps Officers

The Salvation Army, an international movement, known the world over for its compassionate action in society, is part of the Christian church. Its ministry, motivated by love for God, is both spiritual and practical and is committed to alleviating human suffering and distress and to the holistic ethos of promoting wholeness and wellbeing. Its services are offered without discrimination.

MAIN PURPOSE OF THE JOB

This role involves supporting clients from the Community Programme who are Homeless or Socially Isolated by helping them to overcome issues including; Homelessness, Drug and Alcohol Dependency, Welfare Benefit and Mental Health. The role requires an individual who is passionate about improving the lives of individuals in the community. They should have experience of delivering support services to the target group with sensitivity within a multi-cultural and multi-faith environment.
DUTIES & KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Key Working – to have case load of clients that you will:

  • Provide a professional service to and agree realistic action plans.
  • Advise and assist clients on how and where to access required services and benefits, accompanying them where necessary.
  • Act as an advocate for clients and represent them where required.
  • Keep and maintain accurate records, includingthe actions agreed with clients.
  • Respond to service users crises such as a health emergency, or stopped benefits.
  • One to one sessions with service users (usually called ‘key working’) to discuss each individual’s progress and support them with any problems they’re facing. completing written support plans, risk assessments and file notes

Community Programme

  • To support the community center manager in the running of the community programme, which currently consists of a drop in, a creative arts programme and a night shelter (run through the winter months).
  • Establish a referral process and liaise with key referral agencies.

Outreach, Network and Development

  • Be responsible for networking and building relationships with external agencies.
  • Ensure that joined up working is practiced by attending meetings and creating effective partnerships that will support the community programme.
  • To support the community centre manager with the continued development of the community programme.
  • In liaison with the community centre manager to develop strong relationships with key individuals within ourdivisional and territorial headquarters based in Elephant and Castle to ensure that they have up to date information and advice for assisting people that come to the reception seeking help.

Communication

  • Communication with internal and external groups and individuals that will build on existing links which the Southwark Salvation Army Community Church has already established in the Elephant and Castle area.
  • Producing regular progress reports for the managementand leadership of Southwark Corps and other relevant Salvation Army internal departments or external organisations.
  • Attending and representing The Salvation Army at relevant meetings and conferences as appropriate.
  • Follow up on cases by liasing with other professionals or writing letters and forms

Administration & Finance

  • To assist the community centre manager in seeking and applying for funding were necessary.
  • Monitor income and expenditure each month against set budget
  • Creating systems for monitoring and evaluating the work, to ensure the service runs smoothly and reliably reporting outcomes.
  • Raising and recording invoices in conjunction with the Community Centre Manager to ensure funding is maintained.

General

  • To undertake any other reasonable duties that may be required to meet the demands of the service and/or may be requested by the Community Centre Manager or Corps Officer.
  • To lead and/or cover for the community centre manager or Corps Officers where required during community programme sessions.

Christian Ethos

  • The post holder will ensure that the vision of The Salvation Army is implemented in all aspects of the work at the Southwark Salvation Army Community Church, representing The Salvation Army to external bodies and being able to explain The Salvation Army’s inclusive Christian ethos where appropriate.

This job outline is intended to indicate the broad range of responsibilities and requirements of the post. It is not exhaustive and provides a reasonable general description of the responsibilities of the post.

SSACC – Community Support Key Worker (Job Description) – June 2012