Job description – Resettlement Worker - DASAP2015

JOB DESCRIPTION

Job title:

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Resettlement Worker

Domestic Abuse Support and Accommodation Project (DASAP)

Responsible to:

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Project Manager

Responsible for:

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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:

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Practitioner

Main responsibilities:

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To be pro-active in providing a support service for women, men and families who have been affected by domestic abuse based on their individual needs with outcomes focused on ensuring individuals and families feel safe in their accommodation of choice.

1. Job activities

1.1. Form, develop, sustain and maintain relationships with women, men and families through which individual lifestyles and situations can be addressed.

1.2 Work with individuals on a 1-1 basis to address individual needs.

1.3 Ensure that the basic needs of individuals are addressed and met (personal safety, safety in environment, food, accommodation, clothing, etc.).

1.4 Support individuals to address domestic abuse and related issues and encourage them to engage with other agencies as required.

1.5 Assist individuals in their transition into the service.

1.6 Assist individuals to access temporary accommodation, or to remain in their own accommodation or work towards identifying alternative accommodation. This may include practical tasks of ensuring safety, getting/moving furniture, painting/decorating, completing benefit claims etc.

1.7 Liaise/work with Aberdeen City Council Homelessness Service in relation to meeting the needs of individuals affected by domestic abuse.

1.8 Liaise/ work with other agencies including social work, housing services, health services, police, courts, utility companies, debt agencies, Department for Work & Pensions, other voluntary sector organisations and other professionals such as lawyers, etc

1.9 Assess and follow up referrals through accurate & appropriate information gathering and the summarising of needs

1.10 Ensure that an individual’s views and needs remain paramount and ensure that potential obstacles and issues are assessed and addressed.

1.11 Plan individual and group support and implement and review support plans where the main issues to be addressed are:

 improved accommodation situation

 improved quality of life

 improved economic well-being

 improved health

 improved practical skills

 improved social functioning

 improved general outlook

 reduction in risky behaviour

1.12 Intervene in crises to effectively avoid and pre-empt incidents and threats to personal safety.

1.13 Advocate on an individual’s behalf and generally assist them with issues around communication.

1.14 Support individuals in relation to emotional issues.

1.15 Support individuals with substance misuse/mental health issues to engage with other relevant agencies as required.

1.16 Plan/participate and assist service user involvement in social activities on a one–to–one and group basis.

1.17 Where necessary, assist individuals with medication.

1.18 Contribute to the regular 6 monthly evaluation and monitoring reports on the project.

1.19 Participate in the ongoing awareness raising of issues around domestic abuse and around the work of the project and organisation.

2 SYSTEMS

2.2 Maintain paperwork – service user documentation (Must Address Individual Need – MAIN) records, letters on behalf of individuals, H&S logs, diary entries, hours worked on tasks, etc.

2.3 Handle finance (petty cash, service user finances, devolved budgets).

2.4 Use computers/IT systems – Word, Excel, email, databases.

3 ReferenceS

3.2 Aims & Values Policy

3.3 Resettlement Tasks

3.4 Improving Employability Policy

3.5 Health & Well-being Policy

3.6 Must Address Individual Need (MAIN) Guidelines

3.7 Child Protection Policy

3.8 Supporting and Protecting Adults at risk of Harm

3.9 Assessment, Planning, Intervention – additional guidance

4 QUALITY STAndards

4.2 Working to the appropriate Care Inspectorate Standards– Care and Housing Support.

4.3 Working to N/SVQ 3 standards.

4.4 Working to the appropriate Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) standards for the registration of staff.

4.5 Working to the appropriate Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator standards.

4.6 Working to the appropriate commissioners standards (e.g. Aberdeen City Council, Big Lottery).

4.7 Working to the appropriate Environmental Health standards.

5 GENERAL TERMS OF REFERENCE

5.2 In carrying out the above activities, the Resettlement Worker (DASAP) will:

 Work on their own and/or as part of a team.

 Maximise his/her own performance and contribution;

 Ensure they comply with internal and external regulations, procedures and other requirements appertaining to the project;

 Maintain the good reputation of the organisation;

 Keep abreast of developments and legislation relevant to the project's range of activities;

 Seek to improve his/her knowledge and skills by both formal and informal means;

 Carry out other relevant work commensurate with the post as required by the Line Manager.

6 BASIS, VALUES AND EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES.

6.2 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.

6.3 To respect and work according to our Equal Opportunities Policy and ensure its promotion in the course of daily work.

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Person Specification – Resettlement Worker – DASAP2015

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.

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Essential

1.2. Literacy and numeracy at a level to maintain all the appropriate paperwork, write support plans and give budgeting advice.

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Essential

1.3. Able to use computer applications such as Word, databases.

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Essential

1.4. An understanding of social justice issues such as homelessness, substance misuse.

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Desirable

1.5. An understanding of legislation/practice pertaining to the work.

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Desirable

2. Experience

2.1. Minimum 6 months experience in a social care environment in a voluntary or paid capacity.

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Desirable

2.2. Experience of working with disadvantaged people.

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Desirable

3. key capabilities

3.1. Interpersonal understanding – listens and understands expressed feelings; demonstrates concern for others; encourages others to express themselves.

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Essential

3.2. Emotional awareness – manages strong emotions and responds constructively; keeps own feelings in check; deals with stress.

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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.

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Essential

3.4. Flexibility – adapts easily to changes at work; modifies behaviour in response to a situation; sees the merits of differing viewpoints.

/ Essential

3.5. Initiative – takes responsibility; looks ahead and anticipates what needs to be done.

/ Essential

3.6. Team working – contributes fully to team work; establishes positive relationships with the team.

/ Essential

3.7. Working within Professional Boundaries – Demonstrates professional curiosity; accepts responsibility for own work; seeks and uses professional support; understands the principle of confidentiality.

/ Essential

3.8. Leadership – gives recognition and credit; generates enthusiasm and commitment.

/ Essential

3.9. Developing others – assumes responsibility for addressing service users’ skills; encourages initiatives in problem solving and making choices.

/ Essential

4. Circumstances / Health

4.1. Able to work unsocial hours (where applicable)

/ Essential

4.2. Driving/clean licence

/ Desirable

5. Aberdeen Cyrenians Aims & Values & Equal Opportunities

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.

/ Essential

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