Post:Project Co-Ordinator Irish Persons Specialist
Job Description
Post:Project Co-ordinator – Irish Persons Specialist
(Fixed Term Contract until June 2015)
Salary:£27,878 paInc. LW + pension + other benefits (NJC Scale range 28-30)
Hours:35 hours per week excluding breaks
Shift Work:You will be expected to work a flexible shift system that will involve working hours between Monday to Sunday 7.00am to 5.15 pmand 1 weekend in 4
Annual Leave:33days per year, including Bank Holidays
Probation
Period:6 months
Responsible to:Assessment and Advice Team Leader
Period of Notice:4 weeks
An enhanced DBScheck is required for this post as the post holder will be directly working with vulnerable adults
JOB PURPOSE
To ensure delivery of an holistic services to Irish clients who present in crisis to the Resource Centre.
To identify housing opportunities where appropriate and to offer a reconnection service back to the Republic of Ireland where this has been identified as an appropriate option.
1Day Services – Project Co-ordinator – Irish persons specialist
1.1To focus on making the delivery of all aspects of resource centre services relevant to Irish clients.
1.2To carry out a needs analysis of Irish clients and investigate the opportunities for developing new services for homeless and vulnerable Irish service users.
1.3To undertake other research as appropriate to the needs of The Passage service users and the external services available to them.
1.4In conjunction with the Assessment and Advice Team Leader set and monitor targets and outcomes for Irish clients.
1.5To carry out initial assessments with those identified as having an Irish connection
1.6Working with the Resource Centre Teams encompassing Assessment and Advice Team, Hospitality, Outreach Service and the specialist Health and Education, Training and Employment teams, to identify and target Irish service users.
1.7In co-ordination with the other resource centre teams undertake casework with Irish service users. This will involve needs assessment and care planning and advocacy on behalf of the service user with external agencies.
1.8Where appropriate visit service users in prison, hospital and where they are living.
1.9To facilitate group work ensuring that groups are monitored and trends identified
1.10To undertake monitoring and evaluation of groups, analysing outcomes and recording findings
2.Development
2.1Create a system for maintaining and disseminating up to date information on resources for homeless and vulnerable Irish people within the day centre. This resource will be for service users and staff.
2.2To promote the needs of Irish people to the wider organisation.
2.3Investigate and report on the possible new opportunities for homeless and vulnerable Irish people.
2.4Supported by the Day Services Manager and in consultation with the senior management at The Passage, develop new opportunities as agreed.
3.SERVICE DELIVERY
Resource Centre General Duties
3.1The Resource CentreTeam is keyto ensuring that every client who comes to the centre is welcomed and helped to feel safe.
3.2There should be a rapid response and relevant focus from the team on that client’s needs.
3.3The initial engagement with clients undertaken by the Resource Centre Team should be positive, helpful and delivered with enthusiasm
3.4The Resource CentreTeam when identifying individual needs should not make assumptions and work in a non-judgemental way with clients.
3.5The Resource Centreteam should provide a proactive, solution focused and strength based approach to support planning with the clients.
3.6Each member of the team should seek collaborative working with colleagues in order to deliver the best quality service
3.7Each member of the Resource CentreTeam will be required to be a lead worker and regularly attend appropriate meetings and case conferences
4.Staffing and Team Work
4.1To attend and participate in weekly team meetings and other meetings and events as required.
4.2To participate in regular supervision sessions and annual appraisals with the Assessment and Advice Team Leader.
4.3To work one weekend in four to support the Resource Centre at weekends
4.4To assist with at least two Passage fundraising/promotional events which may be either daytime or evening events.
5.Administration
5.1To be administratively self-servicing and work within the established Passage systems.
5.2Keep and maintain accurate casework records on the Passage Chain database and in paper form, working within relevant legislation and Passage policies and procedures.
5.3Develop a system for recording information on Irish service users. From this extract statistics on client referrals and outcomes both internally and externally.
5.4Provide monitoring reports based on these statistics as required for internal and external use.
5.5Keep an accurate work diary, detailing internal and external events.
6.General Responsibilities
6.1To participate in regular supervision and annual appraisal, and help identifying your own job-related development and training needs.
6.2To participate in internal/external meetings as required, and attend training events, conferences and other functions when necessary.
6.3To ensure that all Passage policies and procedures are being adhered to, particularly those relating to Health and Safety, Code of Practice and Confidentiality.
6.4To contribute to the effective implementation of the Passage’s Equality and Diversity Policy as it affects both the Passage and its work.
6.5To at all times undertake the role in a professional manner maintaining a high quality standard of work, and to always work in accordance with the aims, values and ethos of The Passage[1].
6.6To work in a professional manner maintaining a flexible attitude towards short notice rota changes to facilitate primary service cover, e.g. during training and staff illness.
6.7To undertake any other duties that may be required which are commensurate with the role.
Note: the details contained in this Job Description summarise the main expectations of the role at the date it was prepared. I should be understood that the nature of individual roles will evolve and change as service, service users and funders need change. Consequently The Passage will revise this Job Description as required in consultation with post holders.
CRIMINAL RECORDS CHECKS
The Passage aims to promote equality of opportunity for all with the right mix of talent, skills and potential. The Passage welcomes applications from diverse candidates. Criminal records will be taken into account for requirement purposes only when the conviction is relevant.
As The Passage meets the requirements in respect of exempted questions under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974, all applicants who are offered employment will be subject to a criminal record check from the Disclosure and Barring Service before the appointment is confirmed. This will include details of cautions, reprimands or final warnings as well as convictions
Person Specification
Project Co-ordinator - Irish Persons Specialist
- Experience
Essential
1.1In depth experience of working with homeless and/or vulnerable Irish people.
1.2Experience of advocacy work on behalf of vulnerable individuals.
1.3Experience of liaising with voluntary and statutory agencies.
1.4Experience of assessing client needs.
Desirable
1.5Experience of working with homeless people.
1.6Experience of working in a day centre, hostel, or advice centre setting
1.7Experience of undertaking research projects and service development.
- Skills and Abilities
Essential
2.1Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including report writing skills
2.2Ability to work effectively and constructively with external agencies.
2.3The ability to use IT packages effectively (i.e. Microsoft office applications – Word, Email,) including databases
2.4Ability to negotiate support for, and advocate on behalf of, vulnerable people and/or people who present with challenging behaviour from the wider staff team and external agencies.
2.5The ability to work on your own initiative within agreed boundaries
2.6The ability to manage and prioritise a diverse work load, working within agreed targets
2.7The ability to work as part of a team and be pro-active in ensuring good team work.
2.8Ability to facilitate group work
2.9Ability to monitor outcomes and identify trends
2.10Ability to evaluate projects and to analyse and record findings
2.11The ability to work one weekend in four
Desirable
2.12Ability to attend evening events
2.13Ability to act calmly in emergencies and respond in a professional manner to stressful and challenging situations and incidents.
2.14Have a flexible, positive and solution orientated approach to work.
3.Knowledge
Essential
3.1An awareness of the issues that face street homeless and vulnerable people
3.2An awareness of the issues facing Irish people living and working in Britain.
Desirable
3.3A working knowledge of the main welfare benefits in the UK and Ireland
3.4A working knowledge of the main housing legislation relating to homeless people
4.Other
4.1To be able to carry out the post with or without adaptations.
4.2An interest in homelessness issues
4.3Demonstrate a commitment to the Passage’s aims and objectives
4.4Demonstrate a commitment to communicate the Passage’s mission which is to encourage, inspire and challenge homeless people to transform their lives.
4.5A respect for the ethos of The Passage (as set out in the Ethos Statement).
December 2014
1
[1]Vincentian EthosAs a Vincentian organisation, The Passage strives to be inclusive; encompassing a diverse and rich culture from within our members, clients, volunteers and staff. This approach is reflected in our core Values and it is important that all staff have respect for this. (refer to fullVincentian Ethos Statement).