The Clock Tower Sanctuary

Project Worker

Job Description

Introduction

The Clock Tower Sanctuary (CTS) is a drop-in centre for young people aged 16-25 who are homeless or insecurely housed. We provide crisis and move-on support to help young people get their lives back on track.

Role

The Project Worker is responsible for building strong professional relationships with the Sanctuary’s service users and assisting them,via the provision of case-work support,to bring about positive changes in their lives that will lead to independent living. The Project Worker is supported in this role by the Project Manager and our volunteer staff.

Specific Duties

  1. Service Delivery

1.1Conduct interviews and assessmentswith new service users.

1.2Provide information, advice and sign-postings to new and existing service users.

1.3Participate in monthly service user activities and occasional residential activities.

1.4Maintain a safe and secure environment.

1.5Ensure the active implementation of the centre’s policies and procedures.

1.6Challenge and confront behaviour which threatens the aims of the centre and ensure work is carried out in accordance with the CTS policies and procedures.

1.7Deliver temporary and permanent bans to service users where appropriate, recording the bans in accordance with procedure.

1.8Liaise with appropriate agencies involved in delivering support to service users.

1.9Attend meetings at external agencies with service users when required.

1.10Record significant events, incidents and the update of service user files and other relevant monitoring information.

1.11Attend regular supervision sessions, committee meetings and specific meetings as needed

1.12Be aware of the needs of other workers and contribute to a supportive working environment.

1.13Contribute to the planning and review of CTS’s Move-On Support including weekly and monthly activities and occasional residential activities.

  1. Case-work Support

2.1To promote and implement our case-work service.

2.2To recruit service users to case-work and to deliver regular case-work sessions.

2.3To adapt the case-work approach flexibly, according to the needs of the service user.

2.4To facilitate links to potential mentors for service users.

2.5To input case-work data to the data monitoring system.

2.6To maintain and update case-work files.

2.7To review and evaluate case-work support and to adapt the approach accordingly.

2.8To undertake training as necessary.

  1. General

1.1To publicise and promote the CTS to young people, the relevant support agencies and the local community.

1.2To ensure compliance with the CTS policies and procedures, particularly the Equal Opportunities, Health and Safety Procedures.

1.3To facilitate bi-monthly group Volunteer Supervision Sessions, record actions and circulate the minutes.

1.4To prepare bi-monthly activity reports for the Project Manager.

1.5To deputise for the Project Manager in his/her absence.

1.6To assist in ensuring that all relevant funding criteria, performance standards and targets are met.

1.7To ensure that all young people and other users receive the best possible service from the CTS.

1.8To assist in establishing the project as a centre of excellence, social integration and a place where young people can feel secure, safe and valued.

Person Specification

Essential
At least two years experience working in a front-line service
Experience of interviewingand assessing clients
Good listening and empathy
Able to set boundaries, challenge appropriately and to manage conflict constructively
Understanding of confidentiality
Able to write basic reports, complete forms and keep full and accurate records
Able to take responsibility and make decisions including unpleasant ones
Able to work under pressure within a stressful environment
Able to manage and plan own workload to meet deadlines
Able to work as a supportive and effective team member
Able to develop and maintain good working relationships with staff and other organizations
Excellent communication skills
Management of off-site activities
Enhanced CRB
Desirable
Understanding of the issues surrounding homelessness in young people
Experience working with young homeless people
Understanding and experience of day centre support and good practice
Case-work support, using Star Outcomes Approach (training can be provided)
Knowledge and understanding of health and safety within a day centre
Experience managing off-site recreational activities
Risk assessment and management

Key Qualities and Skills

  • Good time keeping
  • IT literacy (Microsoft Office)
  • Assertiveness
  • Good empathy and listening
  • Commitment to ongoing professional development via supervision and training
  • Willingness to do what is needed for the running of the centre, including occasional cleaning duties.