Job description
Responsible to: Project Manager
Responsible for: supporting case load of clients
Hours of Work: 40 hours on a shift rota including weekends and bank holidays
Work Location: YMCA Walthamstow Marsham Court, Assessment Bed Project although may be required to work at any YMCA location
Job Purpose
- To provide comprehensive housing management and housing related support to a caseload of complex needs rough sleepers
- Work collaboratively with other departments – and other community operations teams and LBWF Council in order to deliver the best service for our residents
- To ensure that residents receive services relevant to their needs, arising from their Outcome Star assessment action plans / Risk Assessments
- To be responsible for ensuring that the In-form is maintained accurately times for all residents with whom you have contact
- To support residents to engage and participate in Progression activities
- To work proactively with residents to high-quality and affordable move-on accommodation
- Maximising housing occupancy and minimising voids by taking proactive action
- Ensure that residents comply with Excluded Licence Agreements and License conditions, and taking action to deal with any anti-social behaviour as instructed by the Project Manager
- To lead on received referrals into the service contacting referrer arranging assessment interview and update Inform and colleagues
Organisation Context
YMCA St Paul’s Group (SPG) is the largest YMCA in Europe and a leading provider of supported housing in London and beyond, providing a safe place to stay to about 1,200 young and vulnerable people each night.
- We provide housing and support to those in need of a place to call home and support them with services that empower them to build a positive future.
- We support children, young people, and families to be safe, healthy, connected, and confident.
- We bring people together by encouraging them to be healthy, physically, and mentally.
- We help nurture an environment where people of all faiths and none can understand and express the love of God.
- We empower our residents, staff and users by providing them with excellent service and welcoming properties where they can thrive.
- We enable the Charity to respond to the future with an equipped and empowered workforce that is flexible and agile.
- The vision of YMCA St Paul’s group is to empower young people by providing the resources and support so they can thrive. We wish to create inclusive, active and healthy communities where everyone can flourish.
Our approach is informed by our Christian faith and we work with fellow community collaborators to see this vision realised. Our core values underpin the way that we deliver our work, and our aim is to create an inclusive culture where our staff, residents and customers feel a sense of belonging and can be their authentic selves.
Duties and Responsibilities
Support
- To carry out comprehensive initial assessments and intakes into the project, ensuring that criteria is met and any risk management plans are in place.
- To be responsible for the provision of support to an agreed caseload of clients.
- To provide personalised case management, support and advice to all clients, carrying out Homeless Outcome Stars, to support their needs and aid their recovery and resettlement.
- To ensure that all case work is recorded on Inform (Housing Management System) and kept up to date
- To lead on received referrals into the service contacting referrer arranging assessment interview and update Inform and colleagues
- To record and report outcomes according to timescales given.
- provides high quality accommodation and housing support which respects individuals’ lifestyle, experience and culture and is responsive to individuals’ needs.
- Ensure work is delivered collaboratively with other agencies in particular Waltham Forest Rough Sleeper team, CGL, NELFT, Public Health etc.
- Ensure that Safeguarding procedures are followed, taking action to report concerns proactively in accordance with our Safeguarding Policy and Procedures
- Assist with the promotion of the Progression team to ensure residents maximise their engagement with Education, Training, Employment and Volunteering (ETEV) and Engagement and Empowerment activities
- Be responsible for monitoring client’s welfare, including physical and mental health, substance misuse and to intervene with appropriate strategies as needed
- Liaise, advise, and advocate with the client to external agencies
- Carry out Facilities Checks and Wellbeing Checks as required in accordance with policy and procedures
- Support residents to establish a greater awareness of the community they live in and their ability to live independently
General – All Staff
- Attend all relevant training and development programmes.
- Attend all relevant cross departmental, and Corporate meetings as and when required.
- Undertake all duties with regard to the Association’s Equal Opportunities and Diversity Policy and other policies and procedures adopted by the Association.
- To be aware of and comply with safe working practices as laid down under the Health and Safety at Work Act and to attend training as required.
- Respect the Christian ethos of the YMCA and uphold its values.
- Undertake any other duties as requested by line manager.
- Ensure that Digitally and Financially Inclusive approaches are taken with the provision of housing management and support
Housing and Support Officer
Person Specification/Key Competences
KNOWLEDGE
Essential
Graduate standard of education
Good working knowledge of equality and diversity
Desirable
NVQ
EXPERIENCE
Essential
Face to face work with people who need support e.g. supported housing, advice, housing or social work
One to one support to vulnerable clients in a supported housing setting Resettlement and move-on experience into registered housing and private rented sector
Working with clients with complex needs and chaotic lifestyles
Desirable
Working with rough sleepers
Resettlement and move-on experience into registered housing and private rented sector
APTITUDES AND SKILLS
Essential
To develop and maintain good working relationships and to encourage client participation
To assess needs in relation to housing and identify key areas for support
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
Ability to advocate, negotiate and mediate on behalf of clients
Ability to confront difficult situations and reconcile different viewpoints
Ability to develop support strategies and projects to benefit clients
Good organisational skills combined with good IT skills
Desirable
Working knowledge of Inform Data Management System
Working knowledge of Pyramid Rental Income System
PERSONAL
Essential
Ability to work both as a member of a team and on own initiative
An understanding and sympathy with the YMCA vision and mission
A commitment to providing young people with high quality support
Able to work a shift pattern including evenings and weekends
Desireable
A full UK driving licence
Terms and Conditions of Employment
Salary
£ 23,641.00
Hours of Work
40 hours on a shift rota including weekends
Annual Leave
Commencing at 25 days per annum plus public holidays (for five day per week workers; otherwise pro-rata).
Conditions of Appointment
Subject to satisfactory references, medical clearance, Disclosure & Barring Service check and verification of ability to work in the United Kingdom. Also required to wear staff badge, and where appropriate, supplied uniform.
Probation Period
Six months.
Continuity of Service
For those already employed within the YMCA Federation, continuity of service will be recognised for pension and annual leave entitlement, but not statutory rights.
Notice Period
One week during the probation period and then a minimum of one calendar month.
Pension
Subject to certain criteria set by Government, you will be auto-enrolled into our chosen workplace pension scheme. The default position on Auto-Enrolment will be for your contributions to be made on a Salary Exchange basis, but you will have the option to opt-out of this arrangement. In respect of these Salary Exchange arrangements, you agree that your gross pay will be reduced by an amount equal to your Salary Exchange contributions.
Other Benefits
Free use of the health and fitness facilities; a staff discount in restaurants.
Job Types: Full-time, Permanent
Salary: £23,641.00 per year
Benefits:
- Cycle to work scheme
- Employee discount
- Flexitime
- Free parking
- Gym membership
- Life insurance
- On-site gym
- On-site parking
- Store discount
- Work from home
Schedule:
- Flexitime
- Monday to Friday
- Weekend availability
Supplemental pay types:
- Bonus scheme
- Commission pay
- Performance bonus
- Tips
- Yearly bonus
Ability to commute/relocate:
- Walthamstow, E17 3EF: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)
Work Location: In person