LEEDS IRISH HEALTH & HOMES

JOB DESCRIPTION

POST TITLE
Housing Support Worker / GRADE
5/6 / POST REF
POST(S) TO WHICH DIRECTLY RESPONSIBLE Team Leader Housing Services
POSTS(S) FOR WHICH DIRECTLY RESPONSIBLE
PURPOSE OF THE JOB:
  • To provide housing related support to vulnerable people with a diversity of support needs in particular mental health issues.
  • To provide a flexible, supportive and responsive service to service users to help them achieve the optimum degree of independence.
  • To ensure the service is delivered effectively, that it is efficient and sensitive to people’s needs whilst addressing the outcomes required by the contract.

AREA COVERED The postholder will work throughout Leeds

RESPONSIBILITIES
HOUSING SUPPORT
  • To support a caseload of service users predominantly through one to one work.
  • To actively liaise with statutory and voluntary agencies to ensure a comprehensive package of support is delivered.
  • To assess levels of risk and agree risk management plans, including liaising with multiple agencies.
  • To assess, plan and support the individual needs of service users using a variety of skills, tools and methods in order to help service users achieve their aspirations.
  • To produce outcome based support plans which encourage recovery and independence.
  • To encourage and support inclusion through outcome focussed work.
  • To help service users to move on to independence or obtain other support.
  • Work closely with the Senior Housing Support Worker to provide opportunities for volunteering and befriending for service users.
  • To work closely with Employment Support Worker to enable service users to seek and find employment.
  • To promote and facilitate service user involvement in all aspects of the service and LIHH.
  • To support service users to find suitable accommodation and move in.
  • To organise the movement of service users into their accommodation. This will include the connection of fuel supplies, the choosing of furniture and furnishings, in addition to liaison with the relevant benefit departments over the efficient payment of benefits.
  • To support service users maintain their accommodation and live independently liaising with appropriate agencies and landlords where appropriate particular in relation to anti social behaviour, complaints etc.
PERFORMANCE
  • To carry out duties in line with service standards in particular ensuring targets are met in relation to needs and risk assessments and support planning.
  • To maintain accurate records and statistics and make regular written and verbal reports as requested by the Housing Services Team Leader.
  • To undertake and maintain on a weekly basis client record information
  • To work at all times as part of the Team providing cover for other workers as requested.
  • To act at all times in accordance with the policies and procedures of Leeds Irish Health & Homes.

GENERAL

  • To develop good practice within an equal opportunities framework.
  • To be supervised and appraised in line with the organisation’s policies and procedures
  • To attend team and staff meetings.
  • To be responsible for personal learning and development where appropriate and undertake training both mandatory and optional to increase knowledge and skills awareness.
  • To operate within the aims, policies and procedures of LIHH at all times and to be committed to and promote the organisation’s equality and diversity policies
  • To be aware of and employ the general practices of LIHH’s Health and Safety policies and procedures and ensure these are adhered to at all times.
  • To undertake other duties as commensurate with the objectives of the post.

RELATIONSHIPS: The post holder will work as a member of a team, maintaining a close working relationship with other colleagues.
PHYSICAL CONDITIONS: Postholder will be based at Unit 5 Gemini Park, Leeds, LS7 3JB which is a building with ground floor wheelchair accessibility. LIHH operates a non-smoking policy in the office.
SOCIAL CONDITIONS: The hours of work are 9.00am to 5.00pm. Some out of hours working may be necessary from time to time due to the nature of the work for which lieu time can be taken
ECONOMIC CONDITIONS: Terms and conditions of employment are in accordance with collective agreements negotiated from time to time by the National Joint Council for Local Government Services set out in the National Agreement on Pay and Conditions of service.
PROSPECTS
Promotion
Whilst no guarantee can be given to subsequent promotion, there are currently a number of higher graded posts within LIHH which potentially provide the opportunity for career progression.
Any subsequent vacancies will be filled in compliance with agreed LIHH procedures.
Training
LIHH has a positive commitment to the training and development of employees in all areas of its activities.
Similarly employees are also expected to adopt a positive attitude to any training provided and also to their own personal development.
QUALIFICATIONS
  • A good general level of education
  • GCSE grade C or above in English and Mathematics /or equivalent
  • Competent in the use of Microsoft office applications

SPECIAL CONDITIONS:
For the purposes of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975, a person who regularly cares for, trains, supervises or is in sole charge of vulnerable adults must satisfactorily complete an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring (DBS) check. Further information regarding disclosures is available from

EMPLOYEE SPECIFICATION

Detailed below are the types of skills, experience and knowledge, which are required of applicants applying for the post. The “Essential Requirements” indicate the minimum requirements and applicants lacking these attributes will not be considered for the post. The points detailed under “Desirable Requirements” are additional attributes to enable the applicant to perform the position more effectively or with little or no training. They are not essential, but may be used to distinguish between acceptable candidates.
ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS
SKILLS
  • Good written and verbal communication skills
  • Ability toengage with, assess and respond to the needs of service users appropriately
  • Skilled at developing outcome and recovery focussed support plans with service users
  • Ability to empower and motivate individuals to achieve their goals
  • Ability to deal with sensitive and difficult issues in a sensitive and diplomatic manner
  • Ability to relate to service users with a diverse range of needs and to involve them in all aspects of their support plan.
  • Ability to accuratelymaintain service userrecords and support plans and other information and events
  • Demonstrate empathy, awareness and sensitivity to the needs of vulnerable people
  • Skilled in developing positive and constructive relationships with other agencies, colleagues, volunteers and service users
  • An ability to work unsupervised and to use your own initiative
  • Ability to represent LIHH in a positive manner to partner agencies and the wider public
  • An ability to work as part of a team

KNOWLEDGE
  • A knowledge and understanding of Mental Health
  • A knowledge of the current issues affecting supported housing provision and homelessness
  • Aknowledge of good practice in relation to mental health services and support
  • Knowledge of outcome and recovery focussed support planning
  • A knowledge of the resources of voluntary and statutory agencies
  • A knowledge of housing and welfare benefits
  • An awareness of the experiences of vulnerable people
  • An understanding of the experiences of the Irish community in Britain

EXPERIENCE
  • One year’s minimum experience of working or volunteering in supported housing, mentalhealth or social care sectors
  • Experience of outcome and recovery focussed support planning with people with mental health issues

BEHAVIOURAL AND OTHER JOB RELATED CHARACTERISTICS
  • Drive and enthusiasm in approach to your work
  • A positive and “can do” attitude
  • A commitment to treating everyone fairly regardless of difference
  • Willingness to actively participate in training and development activities to ensure up to date knowledge and skills.
  • Commitment to the aims and core principles of LIHH
  • Ability to work unsociable hours on occasions
  • An ability to cope with the pressures of the post

DESIRABLE REQUIREMENTS
QUALIFICATIONS
  • Certificate in Mental Health or equivalent qualification or skills

KNOWLEDGE
  • Of the ‘Supporting People’ programme and its requirements
  • Knowledge of the problems of disadvantaged groups.

EXPERIENCE
  • Experience in mental health as a carer or service user

BEHAVIOURAL AND OTHER JOB RELATED CHARACTERISTICS
  • A clean driving license