March 2014

Job title: Work and Learning CoachDepartment:Client Services

Team:Skylight OxfordJob holder:

Reporting to:Progression Manager

Aim

  • Develop and deliver a high quality coaching and IAG service for homeless and vulnerable adults experiencing unemployment

The Role

  • Working within Crisis Skylight Oxford, the Work and Learning Coach(WALC) will support unemployed clients to develop skills, and gain/sustain employment.

Background

Crisis Skylight Oxford is located in the Old Fire Station in the centre of the city. It offers practical, creative and vocational workshops; accredited learning opportunities; and tailored employment programmes. It includes a social enterprise Skylight Café, open to the public.

The Old Fire Station building also accommodates a range of flexible arts spaces which are run by an independent arts company. They work closely with the Skylight team to provide opportunities for homeless people, the professional arts and wider communities to meet, learn, network and participate together

Dimensions

No direct budgetary or line management responsibility

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Circumstances

  • 35 hours per week,A significant degree of flexibility is required in delivering the service andregular evening and weekend work will be required on a shift rota.
  • Based at the Old Fire Station in Oxford.
  • Crisis Skylight Oxford will run four terms per year. Term breaks will be used for ad hoc events such as Job fairs, award ceremonies, taster sessions, end of term performances and preparation for the next term.
  • A satisfactory enhanced disclosure from the Criminal Records Bureau is required for this role.

Salary

  • £27,773 per annum

Organisational chart

Principal Accountabilities

  • Effectively assess and process client enrolments ensuring that clients meet any eligibility criteria and are ready for the support they will receive to secure employment
  • Conduct assessments of client needs, resulting in a clear and jointly agreed action plans to address any barriers to training, education or employment.
  • Give appropriate job coaching, information advice and support to clients on a one-to-one basis and continue effective coaching sessions with clients until they find sustainable employment.
  • Agree individual action/learning plans with clients, reviewing progress against these and maintaining an ongoing caseload of clients being supported to achieve these plans.
  • Refer work ready clients on to the Café training programme, Arts Training Scheme and any other opportunities within the Old Fire Station or externally.
  • Use appropriate assessment tools to identify attributes, circumstances and barriers in order to inform the client’s guidance and support needs.
  • Organise and deliver job clubs and programmes to motivate clients to engage with and progress into employment related training or sustainable work.
  • Where necessary, effectively manage the signposting of clients to appropriate services.
  • Support clients in pro-active job search. This may involve training in job search skills, sign posting to workshops and one-to-one support in making applications.
  • Establish and maintain effective relationships and communication channels with relevant employers, stakeholders and partners in order to support project and organisational objectives.
  • Undertake accurate and timely “better off calculations for clients and provide appropriate advice pertaining to the application of current “in and out of work” benefits.
  • Develop and maintain an in-depth knowledge of local programme provision, relevant agencies and opportunities pertaining to access to training and employment.
  • Meet performance targets as agreed with line manager and report against targets in agreed format in a timely and accurate fashion. This will include adherence to quality standards.
  • Development, upkeep and accurate maintenance of all administrative and monitoring systems required for effective delivery of the project.
  • Visit and liaise with providers and other referral agencies to collect information appropriate to support the work with clients.
  • Work with voluntary, statutory and community agencies to ensure a coherent approach to overcoming barriers to employment faced by clients, including outreach work at hostelsor other locations as necessary.

General accountabilities

  • Develop and maintain an understanding of the charity’s work and the needs and circumstances of homeless people.
  • Comply with all Crisis policies and procedures.
  • Carry out any other duties that may reasonably be required in the light of the main purpose of the job.

Person Specification

Essential

  • The applicant must holdthe equivalent of NVQ3 in IAG or above
  • Evidence of continuing professional development e.g. through work training
  • Experience of front line service delivery and meeting or exceeding targets
  • Understanding the barriers homeless people face in accessing training and employment.
  • Understanding of equal opportunities and diversity and how to translate policy into practice
  • Excellent communication (written and verbal) and presentation skills.
  • Good interpersonal skills, able to develop and maintain working relationships with a diverse range of providers and individuals.
  • Proven organisational skills including an ability to prioritise, be self motivated and have good time-management skills.
  • Ability to deliver effective training on subjects such as CV skills, application skills etc to unemployed people.
  • Ability to use MS Office, (including Word, Excel & Outlook as minimum) & internet
  • A capacity both to work on your own, in teams and a willingness to reflect upon and develop own practice.
  • Commitment to Crisis’s purpose and values including equality and social inclusion

Desirable

  • Experience of working with and / or supporting unemployed adults
  • Understanding of homeless people and the causes and impacts of homelessness

We encourage applications from all sections of the community particularly those with personal or previous experience of home