OUT THERE

Supporting Families of Prisoners

Charity No. 1120342

Company No. 6239170

Support Worker

Location: 2A Powell Street, Old Trafford M16 7QQ

(with travel across Greater Manchester)

August 2016

Role Profile

Job title: Support Worker

Service/Location: Out There/Old Trafford

Reporting to: Service Director

Responsible for: Case Load of Families

Salary: £20,253 (NJC Point 22) -35 hours per week

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JOB DESCRIPTION

Purpose of the job:

To provide a wide range of support services to families of prisoners in Greater Manchester including home visits, telephone support and groups and activities with the aim of reducing social isolation, improving confidence, wellbeing and access to services and strengthening family relationships.

Main duties and responsibilities:

·  To take referrals from prisons, agencies, families and individuals either in person or by telephone/email/letter.

·  With other team members, to ensure that families have access to appropriate information, guidance, and support and that they are treated with respect, dignity, compassion and care

·  To provide families with information, guidance, support, practical help and signposting to other sources of help via personal contact, through home visits and meetings and via telephone, email, and letter

·  To work in a focused way with families, using an assessment tool to assess their needs and monitor progress

·  To keep accurate case notes of all contact and any assistance given to families

·  To develop referrals into other services both statutory and voluntary

·  To liaise with other agencies in a positive and professional way, including prisons, probation, social care, schools, housing, benefits agencies, rehabilitation services

·  On a rota basis to represent Out There in the Prison Visitors’ Centre (currently HMP Manchester), meeting with new and existing clients and assisting visitors in the process of preparing to enter the prison

·  To promote and facilitate the participation of families in groups and activities at the centre at Powell Street and in the community

·  To promote the work of Out There with the families and the wider community, by providing publicity material and giving presentations

·  Where appropriate, to organise, advise and support volunteers who provide befriending services to families

·  To take responsibility for identifying your own training needs in support of your continuous professional development in the role

·  To ensure that safeguarding and safety is adhered to at all times, to comply with statutory requirements in relation to Safeguarding, Confidentiality and Data Protection and to comply with policies stipulated by Out There

·  To carry out all duties in accordance with the Vincentian and Christian character of the organisation and to actively promote the values which underpin the service; confidentiality, empathy, compassion, hope and a non-judgemental attitude

·  To attend Support Worker and Team Meetings and share knowledge with colleagues

·  To carry out other duties as are identified, consistent with the nature, responsibilities and grading of the post

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Person Specification

Job title: Support Worker

Service/Location: Out There/Old Trafford

Reporting to: Service Director

Responsible for: Case Load of Families

Salary: £20,253 (NJC Point 22) -35 hours per week

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Knowledge, skills, abilities / Essential / Desirable
Education / Relevant degree level / professional qualification in social care or equivalent, and / or social care experience
Personal Skills / Abilities / Communicate clearly with colleagues and with service users on the telephone, in writing and face to face
Provide a high level of commitment to service users, working out what they need and responding appropriately
Use initiative and work to timescales, with minimum supervision
Manage caseload effectively, carry out activities in an orderly and well-structured way; prioritise tasks, use time effectively and work observing appropriate policies and procedures
Gather information to understand issues and events and use the information to identify problems, draw logical conclusions and make good decisions
Produce accurate and concise written work of the required standard
Work effectively as a member of a small team, be supportive of colleagues
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Knowledge, skills, abilities / Essential / Desirable
Beliefs and Behaviours / Understand other people’s views and take them into account; to be tactful and diplomatic in dealing with people and to treat them with dignity and respect at all times
Be sensitive to cultural, racial and other differences
Understand and respect the Christian and Vincentian identity of the organisation
Maintain professional boundaries
Take responsibility for own actions and for sorting out problems or issues that arise
Empathy and understanding of the issues faced by families of prisoners
Approachable, helpful, courteous and patient
Identify strategies to cope with the pressure and emotional impact on self of working with vulnerable families
Experience / Work with vulnerable families and / or vulnerable groups
Casework with service users and experience of maintaining clear and up to date data records
Experience of working in a team and delivering front line services / Experience of the Criminal Justice System
Work with volunteers
Experience of facilitating groups
Other Requirements / Available for working flexible hours including occasional weekend and evening work
Able and willing to travel across Greater Manchester to appointments and occasionally beyond
Driving Licence, access to a car and business insurance

Additional Information

·  The post holder must at all times carry out their responsibilities with due regard to the company’s Equal Opportunities Statement.

·  Develop skills and competencies that assist in the delivery of current duties including participation in relevant training.

·  Maintain confidentiality of information and work in line with all relevant codes of practice and legislation.

·  Work in line with the company’s Safeguarding People from Abuse Policy and Whistle Blowing Policy to ensure that people are kept safe at all times.

·  The post holder must accept responsibility for ensuring that the policies and procedures relating to Health and Safety in the workplace are adhered to at all times.

·  The post holder must respect the confidentiality of data stored electronically and by other means in line with the Data Protection Act.

·  Ensure risk assessments are actioned as necessary, in line with policies and procedures.

·  To work flexibly according to the needs of the clients.

The Charity confirms its commitment to equal opportunities in all its activities. It is intended that no job applicant or employee will receive less favourable treatment on the grounds of political belief, sex, sexual orientation, disability, marital status, race, nationality, ethnic origin, religion or social class.

The above list is not exclusive or exhaustive and the post holder will be required to undertake such duties as may reasonably be expected within the scope and grading of the post. All members of staff are required to be professional, co-operative and flexible in line with the needs of the post. The duties and responsibilities may change and develop over time. Therefore this job description is subject to amendment. Your line manager, in consultation with you, will propose appropriate changes as necessary

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