Gwent Crisis Intervention Service

Dear Colleague,

Crisis Case Worker

Gwent Crisis Intervention Service

Thank you for your interest in the above opportunity. Please find enclosed the following:

1)Information on the post

2)Role Expectations, Person Specification and Competencies

3)Application Form

4)Guidance Notes

The closing date for receipt of your application is 9:30am 16th March 2017. To express your interest in this post, please email your application to ensuring it is received by this date and time.

Application is by expression of interest using the format outlined towards the end of this pack. Shortlisting will take place on16th March 2017. We will contact you as soon as possible via telephone to inform you of the outcome as the interviews will be held onFriday 17th March 2017.

Please note: Applications will be considered against the person specification. We therefore recommend that you read the attached guidance notes before you complete your application.

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

Yours sincerely

Anna Johnson

HR Administrator

Gofal

Crisis Case Worker

Caerphilly Section 180

Gwent Crisis Intervention Service

Location:Caerphillywith an office base at Oakdale, Blackwood

With requirement for travel throughout Gofal areas of operation

Salary:£18,685 per annum.

Contract: Initially fixed term until end ofMarch 2018, subject to renewal of funding

Hours:37 hours per week.

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:

-5.5% paid if employee contributes 1%

-6.5% paid if employee contributes 2% of more

Subject to change in line with auto enrolment requirements

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 Gwent Crisis team working as part of the Caerphilly Crisis Intervention Service providing support to peopleexperiencing housing crisis, risk of homelessness and associated mental health problems within the Caerphilly area.

Furthermore support provided willaidpeople toself-manage their mental health and wellbeing to live independently.

CCWCrisis Case Worker Page 1 of 20

March 2017

Role Expectations

Post:Crisis Case Worker

Service:Gwent Crisis InterventionService

Reporting to:Project Coordinator

Office Base: Oakdale, Blackwood

Date:March 2017

Job Purpose:

To provide a range of social, emotional and practical support for people experiencing mental ill health and associated problems who have tenancy related issues, are homeless and are at risk of homelessness. Support will enable them to manage their responsibilities and self-manage their mental health and wellbeing to live independently.
Provide short term support for service users who are experiencing housing and mental health Crisis.
Partnership working with statutory services such as local authority homelessness departments & acute mental health wards.
Be able to provide advice & guidance relating to homelessness, understanding the local authority’s duty and housing related legal proceedings.
To comply with and maintain all necessary administrative and reporting systems

Role Expectations:

Service User Support Work

To promote and enable partnership working with other agencies to act as a link between mental health and housing services.
To provide advice and support to service users to promote self-sufficiency.
To promote mental wellbeing, by accessing appropriate services to help prevent repeated homelessness from reoccurring.
To lead on assessment of needs of individuals referred to the projects, obtaining additional information as necessary.
To provide support to individuals around issues relating to welfare benefits.
To effectively manage and maintain one’s own case load to ensure that an effective service is delivered to service users in crisis.
To work with the service user and, where relevant, to draw up support plans to meet identified needs and ensure support is delivered in line with the support plan.
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 involve service users in the development, running and evaluation of the service.
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 service users’ independence to become full and active citizens in the community in which they live.

Colleagues Support and Mentoring

To provide support and mentoring to colleagues in their delivery of support to individuals.
To contribute to the development of Support Workers through the sharing of knowledge and experience.

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 appropriate 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.

Person Specification

Essential / Desirable / Assessed through
Experience
Experience of working in the health and social care field, providing support, assistance and advice to individuals experiencing mental health problems /  / Application/Interview
Experience of working with people who are threatened with homelessness, are homeless or having difficulties in managing a tenancy. /  / Application/Interview
Experience of providing support to people in the community, including in people’s own homes. /  / Application/Interview
Experience of engaging with the local authority housing departments, DWP, voluntary agencies and mental health services. /  / Application
Qualifications and skills
Qualification relevant to the work – ie NVQ Level 3 Health and Social Care /  / Application
Full current driving licence and access to your own transport /  / Application
Ability to communicate in Welsh /  / Application
IT skills including basic word processing and use of databases to input information /  / Application/ Interview
Knowledge and Understanding
How mental health problems and associated problems can affect an individual’s and family’s life /  / Application/ Interview
Knowledge of Mental Health Act / 
Knowledge of Housing & Homelessness Legislation / 
The range of mental health and community services available /  / Application/ Interview
Accessible housing and homelessness services /  / Application
The welfare benefits system and how to apply for the various benefits /  / Application/ Interview
How health and social care services can contribute to people’s lives /  / Application/ Interview
Ways to involve service users in the further development of the project /  / Application/ Interview
Competencies
Role model behaviours of integrity and dignity to other team members /  / Interview
Support the team to deliver at its best /  / Interview
Role model behaviours underpinned by respect of difference /  / Interview
Adapt communication to the audience /  / Application/ Interview
Identify the best outcomes, solve problems and overcome barriers to achievement /  / Interview
Identify new opportunities to seek and share experience with others /  / Interview
Proactively identify own development needs and take action to meet them /  / Application/ Interview

Applicants for the post of Case Worker 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: Crisis Case Worker– Gwent Crisis Intervention 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)