Job Description –Project Worker – Helping Hands

Job Title:Project Worker – Helping Hands

Responsible to:Development Worker– Helping Hands

Main Duties & Tasks

1. Providing support to clients

  • Following established referral procedures interview new clientsand agree individual support plans
  • Assess decorating work in client’shomes and arrange for volunteers to complete the work
  • Seek feedback from clients on the process and quality of our service
  • Liaise with other support organisations to promote the Helping Hands service and attract appropriate referrals
  • Promote Fresh Start and raise awareness of the role and function of volunteers while encouraging clientstovolunteer

2. Service Delivery

  • Under management of Development Worker deliver new services that help vulnerable clients live independently, namely supported volunteering, cooking classes, gardening opportunities and decorating service
  • Process referrals and enquiries for Helping Hands services.
  • Liaise with external agencies to engage with clients
  • Maintain records of participation. Carry out monitoring and evaluations tasks as required
  • Support clients by consulting with them about making decisions regarding decoration requirements and their own support needs

3. Volunteer Management

Assist Development Worker to establish a pool of volunteers to meet targets of Helping Hands project. Day to day tasks could be collecting food, organising a volunteer rota or ordering paint

Ensure all volunteers receive clear guidance on their roles, appropriate support and/or supervision and attend review meetings where necessary

Follow systems that record volunteerspersonal details, availability and work completed

Contribute to recruitment campaigns, including giving presentations tochurches, schools and other organisations

  • Recruit volunteers and ensure that they are appropriately trained for a position, deliver induction training that ensures all volunteers are prepared for their role
  • Liaise with other Volunteer Coordinators and departments within Fresh Start when recruiting volunteers to identify appropriate volunteering opportunities
  • Drive volunteers and equipment to and from client’s homes
  • Celebrate volunteering by nominating volunteers for awards and promoting celebration events
  • Manage corporate engagement events as and when required

4. Miscellaneous

  • Attend fundraising and other events organised by, or on behalf, of Fresh Start.
  • Supporting Fresh Start’s communications strategy. This includes producing articles for publications and electronic media; delivering presentations and attending events.
  • Participate in Fresh Start’s supervision and appraisal system.
  • Represent Fresh Start at external meetings as required.
  • Attend Fresh Start team meetings, away days, training and other forums as requested.
  • Comply with Fresh Starts company policies and procedures
  • To undertake any other duties appropriate to the post as requested by the Development Worker or a member of the Senior Management Team.

Conditions

  • The post is for37hours per week. A flexitimesystem operatesbetween 8.30am and 5.30pm Monday –Thursday and 8.30am and 3pm on Friday.
  • This post involves some evening and weekend work, for which time off in lieu is offered.
  • The starting salary will be £19,000.
  • The post will be based at The Hays Business Centre, Edinburgh although you may be asked to work from any of Fresh Start offices. Services take place in clients’ homes and at partners’ premises in the community.
  • There are 29 days annual leave, plus 6 statutory public holidays. The project closes over Christmas and New Year; three days from Annual leave allocation are set aside for this.
  • Staff are encouraged to join an appropriate trade union.
  • Fresh Start run a contributory pension scheme, which staff are encouraged to join following successful completion of the probationary period. Employer contribution 6% and employee contribution 4%.

Person Specification:

The successful candidate will demonstrate a range of the following experience, ability and qualities throughout the application process.

Factor / Essential / Desirable / How Identified
Qualifications / Full Driving licence / SVQ Level 3 in Care or Health & Social Care or an equivalent qualification
A recognised qualification in Volunteer Management
Educated to degree level or have significant experience in service development / At interview sighting of driving licence and original qualifications
Experience and Knowledge / Direct experience of developing and delivering services for vulnerable groups
Experience of co-ordinating volunteers
Knowledge of Microsoft office package and good IT skills / Experience of delivering training to volunteers / Application
Interview
References
Skills, Qualities and Abilities / Commitment to the aims and values of Fresh Start
A willingness to be adaptable and flexible in a small team environment
Ability to positively influence, motivate and enthuse others
Ability to work independently and on own initiative
Ability to carry out practical tasks such as decorating, cooking and gardening effectively / Have a good level of written and verbal communication skills for a wide range of stakeholders / Application
Interview
References

Project Worker – Helping Hands