Housing First Support Worker

Job summary:

To work as a member of a Housing First Team, which aims to offer support to single homeless adults, providing permanent housing solutions directly to homeless individuals with ongoing assertive but flexible support, with a strong focus on harm reduction and sustainable tenancy within the community. You will be required develop and deliver a high-quality programme of support which promotes participant choice, control and independence consistent with the internationally recognised seven Housing First Fidelities:

• People have a right to a home
• Flexible support is provided for as long as is needed
• Housing and support are separated
• Individuals have choice and control
• An active engagement approach is used
• The service is based on people’s strengths, goals and aspirations
• A harm reduction approach is used

The role of Housing First Support Worker is an inspirational one and key to achieving successful outcomes for our vulnerable participants. As a motivated and adaptable support worker you will be responsible for developing and delivering a high-quality programme of support which promotes participant choice, control and independence.

Main Duties

Case load manage up to seven Participants

• Liaising with Local Authority for referrals of Participants.
• Interviewing participants to assess suitability for our service and actioning decision made.
• Assessing support needs and risk and compiling these into comprehensive support plans alongside the participants.
• Working within support plans and risk assessments with the participants and reviewing as required.
• Supporting individuals from homelessness into their own secure tenancies
• Connecting the participants with other support agencies based on their own support needs.
• Attending Multi-Disciplinary Team meetings with other agencies.
• Supporting the participants to any appointments when required.
• Advocating for participants when necessary.
• Assisting the participants with domestic tasks.
• Medication requirements. May include: Supporting with Safe storing, recording and auditing.
• Comply with all statutory guidelines including Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) and Care Inspectorate requirements.

Administration

Being able to complete all admin duties and paperwork necessary including but not limited to:

• Housing Support Assessment Tool
• Support plan and risk assessments
• Housing benefit and any other benefits paperwork
• Reporting statistics to Local Authority, Admin Team and DHSCP
• Referral paperwork to partnership agencies
• Support with correspondence for Participants
• Handling and Recording of monies for safe keep and/or service charges

Training

• To participate in any training opportunities including but not limited to: Adult Support and Protection, GDPR, Emergency First Aid, Scottish Drug Forum, Better Futures, SSSC Codes of Practice, Health and Social Care Standards and also our training platform, LearnPro.
• If needed, will have opportunity to undertake SVQ level 3
• To update MySSSC training log in line with registration
• To contribute in supervision and appraisals when required including to feedback into the service provision.
• To identify and consult with Senior Support Worker, Housing Support Manager or Chief Executive regarding training needs.

General

• Knowledge of the main support needs which are commonly faced by homeless and vulnerable participants.
• Be solution focused, show good time management skills and can demonstrate ability to prioritise and make decisions under pressure.
• Motivation towards supporting vulnerable participants to achieve focussed and positive life outcomes.
• To build strong working relationships with participants, colleagues and partners.
• To encourage Participants to participate in as wide a range of activities and interests as possible.
• To support with budgeting and encourage the payment of service charge from each participant.
• Keeping staff and communal areas clean whilst on duty.
• To participate in the preparation of food stuffs as required.
• To be responsible for the security of the building whilst on duty.
• To undertake any other duties deemed necessary by Senior Support Worker, Housing Support Manager or Chief Executive.

Benefits

• Pension scheme
• Training programme- SVQ 3 paid for if required
• Ability to further career
• 30 days Annual leave allowance, increasing to 35 after 5 years service.
• Discount in our Furniture shop
• 20 days full pay sickness.