JOB DESCRIPTION

POST TITLE:Supported Housing Worker (Rota)Salary: SPOT £18,500 FTE

SERVICE AREA:Acorn Supported Housing- Walter Lyon House

JOB PURPOSE:

To work as a member of the supported accommodation housing support team providing practical housing and resettlement/move-on support, including health, safety and security measures in a supported housing environment.

To contribute to the projects overall aim of providing an abstinence based service in line with Acorns overall values around recovery.

To carry out tasks at the request of the Team Leader / Acorn Managers, to contribute effectively to the smooth running of Walter Lyon House and its projects both individually and as part of a team in accordance with Acorns policies, procedures and guidelines, with a particular emphasis

RESPONSIBLE TO:Supported Housing - Team Leader

RESPONSIBLE FOR:No Staff

KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

  1. Manage the referral process, to ensure appropriate referrals are accepted to maintain security and to minimise void levels.
  1. Maintain regular contact with clients and complete regular checks, to ensure that the accommodation and services are adequate, responding professionally to any emergencies, or enquiries as they arise.
  1. To contribute to the projects overall aim of providing an abstinence based service including random drug testing and promoting a culture of effective recovery.
  1. Create and review robust risk assessments, produce and agree management plans, personalised resettlement/ support plans (identifying goals & aspirations and detailing activities and interventions) and structured move-in/on plans with new clients.
  1. Facilitating access to training and/or employment opportunities.
  1. To key work with clients to develop and progress support plans and produce other related documentation.
  1. Advise and where necessary, assist new clients in settling into the supported accommodation, for example:
  • Assistance with/guidance on applying for welfare benefits
  • Introducing clients to the supported housing services and facilities ensuring they are properly instructed on the use of the checking in/out process and laundry/domestic facilities etc.
  • Assist in resolving previous connections to the statutory services, e.g. electricity & telephones, insurance, water, TV licence
  • Give information and signpost onto local services relevant to their area.
  1. To manage the terms of stay, providing clients with accurate and appropriate advice on their rights and responsibilities in relation to their accommodation. This includes advising about terminations, rents, reporting repairs etc.
  1. Manage and address any resident behaviour that could adversely affect the health, safety and wellbeing of other clients within the project.
  1. To monitor and assist in advising clients on House Rules and project processes, where behaviour is impacting on other clients, staff, service, or accommodation
  1. Responsible for maintaining client records and a high level of communication within the team.
  1. To be the key worker for a number of clients; facilitating their interaction with other agencies, their adaptation to their changing circumstances and independent living.
  1. Assist clients with their housing/welfare benefit claims. On clients request advocate on their behalf with housing benefit departments and to ensure the rent and service charges can be paid in a timely manner to reduce the risk of arrears
  1. Provide welfare advice on debt management and to signpost to relevant agencies
  1. Encourage resident involvement within Acorn services, Calico Group services, tenant groups and the wider community
  1. Organise clients meetings, events and consultations and other surveys to keep clients fully informed of any matters that affect them, including security issues, redecoration and major works.
  1. To contribute to the promotion, delivery and development of resident involvement initiatives across the organisation.
  1. To promote and facilitate abstinence recovery group activities.
  1. Promote and facilitate social activities, health promotion and accident prevention.

Accommodation

  1. Supervise the cleaning of the communal areas by clients, staff and or contractors and if appropriate volunteers or similar roles.
  1. Receive repair requests from clients, pre inspect repairs and report accurate information to the maintenance and property investment staff on repairs required.
  1. Report emergency repairs as required
  1. Inspect vacant rooms to identify any repairs and to ensure all relevant tasks are completed.
  1. Advise clients on service charges and finances as and when required.
  1. Accompany contractors at all times while on premises and monitor the delivery of service contracts; heating, fire alarms, gardening and grounds maintenance.
  1. Post inspect repairs and report on quality of work, health and safety and other aspects of service provided by contractors while on site

Health & Safety

  1. Assist in routine fire alarm tests, fire drills and security alarm tests.
  1. Carry out and record health and safety checks and ensure actions are completed within agreed timescales
  1. Ensure all appropriate risk assessments are followed
  1. Carry out other routine tasks which may be required to ensure high standards of health and safety within the scheme

General

  1. Communicate effectively with colleagues or any staff providing cover to ensure clients receive the same standard of service. This includes keeping records up to date, presenting clear verbal handover information ensuring smooth service continuity.
  1. To be proactive in advocating, ensuringresident’s needs are responded to appropriately while liaising with other agencies.
  1. Provide cover for colleagues who may be absent due to sickness or annual leave.
  1. Maintain efficient administration systems.
  1. Undertake training as necessary, attend appropriate meetings and contribute ideas to promote improvements to ensure the highest quality service to clients.
  1. Maintain accurate contact records for all the clients.
  1. Maintain the highest standards of personal and professional integrity and conduct.
  1. To carry out all duties with due regard to the provisions of Health and Safety Legislation
  1. To undertake any other tasks and duties within the scope and grade of the post.

Organisation

  1. To record and monitor Resident Journey, Satisfaction Surveys and other Key Performance Indicator information as required.
  1. To embrace and adopt Calico’s behavioural styles and strengths
  1. To be proactively involved in the work of a Calico Corporate Group, in order to make an effective contribution to the successful achievement of the groups aims and objectives.
  1. To contribute in the overall development of Acorn services.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

POST:Supported Housing Worker (Rota)

Selection Criteria / Essential/
Desirable
E/D / Means of Assessment
QUALIFICATIONS:
1. / Relevant Housing, or Support Qualification / D / A/C
EXPERIENCE:
1. / Experience of planning and delivering support work to individuals with complex needs. / E / A,I, P
2. / Experience of working in a supported housing environment. / D / A,I, P
3. / Keeping client records and administrative tasks e.g. using computer systems and filling in forms / E / I
4. / Experience and ability to carry out tasks in accordance with policy, procedures and office systems. / E / I,
5. / Experience and ability to carry out all aspects of maintenance of property; reporting repairs, cleaning and manual tasks, including being able to climb stairs, prepare and deep clean rooms. / E / A
SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE:
1. / Understanding of the issues around addiction and recovery. / E / A, I
2. / Ability to liaise and network effectively with a range of external agencies / E / A, I
3. / Ability to think clearly and act appropriately in stressful situations / E / A, I
4. / Knowledge and understanding of Health and Safety / D / I,
5. / Knowledge of associated issues, i.e. mental health, poverty, dependency etc. / D / A, I,
6. / Build strong helping relationships without encouraging dependency / E / A, I,
7. / Listen in a non-judgmental manner, helping women explore their options and reach their own conclusions / E / A, I,
8. / Self-motivation, initiative and flexibility / E / I
9. / Ability to communicate clearly with staff and clients, verbally and in writing including maintaining accurate records / E / A, I
10. / Computer literate in respect of MS Office - Word, Excel, and other applications. / E / A, I
11. / Ability to work on own initiative and effectively as part of a team / E / I
OTHER REQUIREMENTS:
1. / High level of commitment and enthusiasm for further success of the Company / E / I
2. / Commitment to Equality and Diversity, Customer Care and the delivery of quality services / E / I
3. / Understanding and respect the issues around the complex issues of confidentiality for Acorn and clients / E / I
4. / Attend all team meetings as required / E / I
5. / Ability to be flexible in hours worked, providing cover for colleagues during periods of sickness and holiday including bank holidays and weekends. / E / I
6. / Possession of full current driving licence and business insurance / D / A, C

Method of Assessment

A Application form

IInterview

CCertificates

BEHAVIOURS:
The following behaviours describe how we expect staff to go about their work in a day to day basis. These behaviours help to create a workplace where everyone who works with Calico has the opportunity to learn and grow their talents in an environment where they feel valued and supported and where their efforts are rewarded and recognised. These behaviours will be assessed during the interview stage.
Passionate about customers
Customer focus is at the heart of what we do at Calico. This can be whether you deal with customers who live in our neighbourhoods or internal customers from other teams or partner organisations.
Rising to the challenge
Calico is an ambitious organisation that is determined to keep improving. This means that every member of staff should be supported to work at a pace and level that enables us to bring about the positive changes we want to achieve.
Committed to Calico
We all need to get the best out of our time at work and also put the best of ourselves into the work we do. To make sure we continue to achieve as an organisation we need dedicated staff to keep us moving forward.
Maximising Potential
There are always opportunities for us to work smarter, not harder, and that’s exactly what we need to do to make sure everybody achieves their potential. This means showing a willingness to try new things and put things right where necessary.
Inspiring leadership
We need confident managers who communicate honestly and appropriately, who lead by example and deliver on promises. They need to motivate, support, challenge and reward their teams to achieve high performance and coach their staff to unlock and develop their full potential / E
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