Job description – Resettlement Worker (A, I & S) 2015
JOB DESCRIPTION
Job title:
/Resettlement Worker
(Advice, Information and Support Service - AIS)
Responsible to:
/Service Manager, AIS.
Responsible for:
/Relief Workers and Volunteers
Salary:
/Scale points 18 – 25 (Qual – SVQ3+), currently £16,979 -£20,482
Scale points 16 – 17 (Unqual), currently £16,238 - £16,449
SSSC registration level:
/Housing Support Officer
Job Purpose:
/This role contributes to the overall objective of Aberdeen City Council Housing Support Service, i.e. resolving homelessness, prevention of homelessness and successful resettlement and the provision of housing support.
This role provides specialist support, independent information, advice, casework and advocacy for individuals from all tenures to prevent homelessness; and where it has occurred, assist in finding sustainable solutions.
1. Job activities
1.1. Form, develop and maintain relationships with service users.
1.2. Engage with and support service users to define their particular areas of need, and support them through the process of change by making informed decisions
1.3. Assess and review service users’ circumstances through accurate & appropriate information gathering.
1.4. Ensure that the basic needs of service users are addressed and met (food, shelter, warmth, bathing, clothing, etc.).
1.5. Assist service users in identifying external sources of support and to engage with other agencies in relation to improving their lifestyle (including accommodation situation, economic well-being, health, quality of life, practical skills, social functioning, general outlook and reduction in risky behaviour).
1.6. Work as part of the overall Aberdeen City Council Housing Support Service.
1.7. Intervene in a crisis to effectively pre-empt and/ or de-escalate accidents and incidents.
1.8. Engage in partnership working by liaising/working with a range of agencies on behalf of service users, including social work, housing, health, police, courts, utility companies, debt agencies, Department for Work & Pensions, other voluntary sector organisations and other professionals such as lawyers, etc. to ensure a seamless service is delivered.
1.9. Advocate on service users’ behalf and generally assist them with communication issues.
1.10. Work with service users to tackle debts, to manage budgets and maximise their income.
1.11. Provide emotional support to service users.
1.12. Assist service users with substance misuse/mental health issues and engage the support of other agencies as required.
1.13. Ensure that services users’ views remain paramount and ensure that potential obstacles such as literacy & numeracy are assessed and addressed.
1.14. Assist in protecting service users from abuse and work with other agencies in this regard.
1.15. Assist with the day-to-day issues relating to the building from where the service is delivered (health & safety, cleaning, other maintenance, etc).
1.16. Carry out other relevant work commensurate with the post as required.
1.17. Prepare a data monitoring sheet in a format agreed on a 4 weekly basis and act on any feedback from these reports.
2. SYSTEMS
2.1. Maintenance of paperwork – MAIN documentation, writing letters on behalf of service users, report writing, H&S checks, diary entries, hours worked on tasks, etc.
2.2. Day-to-day operation of service (budgeting, appointments), meeting attendance.
2.3. Service finance (petty cash).
2.4. Computers/IT systems – Word, Excel, email, databases.
3. ReferenceS
3.1. Aims & Values Policy
3.2. Resettlement Policy
3.3. Improving Employability Policy
3.4. Health & Well-being Policy
3.5. MAIN Guidelines
3.6. Child Protection Policy
3.7. Support and Protection of Adults at Risk of Harm
4. service provision
4.1. Through face to face advice at locations convenient to the service user and the service by appointment or drop-in basis.
4.2. Through advice via the telephone and/or internet.
4.3. Through home visits as identified by Aberdeen City Council Support Service within Aberdeen City Council.
4.4. Through alternative arrangements as agreed with all parties.
5. QUALITY STAndards
5.1. Working to the appropriate Care Inspectorate standards – Housing Support Services.
5.2. Working to the appropriate Scottish Social Services Council standards for the registration of staff.
5.3 Working to the appropriate N/SVQ level
5.3. Working to the appropriate Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator standards.
5.4. Working to the appropriate commissioners’ standards, i.e. work within Aberdeen City Council Housing Support Services Procedure for accepting and making formal referrals to and from other services and agencies.
5.5. Working to the appropriate Environmental Health standards.
6. GENERAL TERMS OF REFERENCE
6.1. In carrying out the above activities, the Resettlement Worker will:
· Work on their own and as part of teams, both within Aberdeen Cyrenians and Aberdeen City Council Housing Support Service;
· Maximise their own performance and contribution;
· Ensure they comply with internal and external regulations, procedures and other requirements pertaining to the service;
· Maintain the good reputation of the organisation;
· Keep abreast of developments and legislation relevant to the service’s range of activities;
· Seek to improve their knowledge and skills by both formal and informal means;
· Carry out other relevant work commensurate with the post as required.
7. BASIS, VALUES AND EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES.
7.1. To respect and work according to the mission, aims and values in all aspects of the job and be responsible for the demonstration of these in the course of the daily work.
7.2. To respect and work according to our Equality and Diversity Policy and ensure its promotion in the course of daily work.
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Job description – Resettlement Worker (A, I & S) 2015
PERSON SPECIFICATION
1. Qualifications/Education/Knowledge
1.1. A qualification of N/SVQ3 in Care, or equivalent or the willingness and ability to attain this within five years.
/Essential
1.2. Literacy and numeracy at a level to maintain all the appropriate paperwork, write reports and support plans and give budgeting advice.
/Essential
1.3. Able to use computer applications such as Word, databases.
/Essential
1.4. An understanding of social issues such as homelessness, mental health, substance misuse.
/Desirable
1.5. An understanding of legislation/practice pertaining to the work.
/Desirable
2. Experience
2.1. A minimum 6 months experience in a social care/ housing support environment in a voluntary or paid capacity.
/Desirable
2.2. Experience of working with disadvantaged people.
/Desirable
3. key capabilities
3.1. Interpersonal understanding – listens and understands expressed feelings; demonstrates concern for others; encourages others to express themselves.
/Essential
3.2. Emotional awareness – manages strong emotions and responds constructively; keeps own feelings in check; deals with stress.
/Essential
3.3. Service user orientation – strives to meet and surpass service users expectations; maintains appropriate contact until problem is resolved; makes self available to service users at critical periods; able to advocate on behalf of service users.
/Essential
3.4. Flexibility – adapts easily to changes at work; modifies behaviour in response to a situation; sees the merits of differing viewpoints.
/ Essential3.5. Initiative – takes responsibility; looks ahead and anticipates what needs to be done; is able to assess and manage risks.
/ Essential3.6. Team working – contributes fully to team work; establishes positive relationships with the team.
/ Essential3.7. Working within Professional Boundaries – Demonstrates professional curiosity; accepts responsibility for own work; seeks and uses professional support; understands the principle of confidentiality.
/ Essential3.8. Leadership – gives recognition and credit; generates enthusiasm and commitment.
/ Essential3.9. Developing others – assumes responsibility for addressing service users’ skills; encourages initiatives in problem solving and making choices.
/ Essential4. Circumstances
4.1. Driving/clean licence
/ Desirable5. Aberdeen Cyrenians Aims & Values & Equality & diversity policy
5.1. Able to respect the aims and values of our work including a commitment to work with those with the most challenging needs to ensure that they have every opportunity to avoid further exclusion.
/ EssentialPage 3 of 5