Project Worker

**POST**: Project Worker

**RESPONSIBLE TO**: Senior Project Worker

**HOURS**:Average of 37½ hours per week on rota of 7.00am - 3.00pm, 12.15pm - 8.15pm shift over 7 days a week. (4 week shift pattern) including Bank Holidays.

**ORGANISATIONAL AIMS**:
1. To provide temporary hostel accommodation to homeless people

2. To develop a range of accommodation options and individual capacity building

3. To manage the Association and its projects with good practice and within statutory guidance.

**OUR VALUES**:
Because we CARE and have COMPASSION we want to MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

Our aim is to EMPOWER and SUPPORT people.

We do this with RESPECT and EMPATHY, mindful of the EQUALITY of all.

**MAIN PURPOSE OF JOB**:
To work as part of a team to provide residential support that empowers service users to achieve defined goals and develop skills that enable sustainable resettlement in the community. Working in a psychologically informed way and ensuring every contact counts.

**Main duties**

**1. To provide a wraparound, trauma informed support service** **that is** **consistent and person led, and to engage in non-institutional work practices. Specific responsibilities**:
a) To carry out individual assessments to identify service users’ needs and hopes and to work alongside the service user to meet these.

b) To provide information, advice and guidance that enable service users to make informed decisions about their needs and support.

c) To carry out initial risk assessments and review risk assessments in line with procedure.

d) To work with the service user through a planned pathway within the hostel onto resettlement into the community.

e) To carry out the review of needs, risk and support plans in line with procedure

f) To represent and advocate with/for service use when appropriate to do so in line with procedures

g) To make referrals to and liaise with relevant agencies and individuals with or on behalf of service users including: housing, health, training, education and employment, welfare benefits, Social services, criminal justice

h) To undertake research and maintain up to date information base.

i) To ensure that the Housing Support Grant outcomes framework is worked within and that monitoring forms are accurately and efficiently completed

j) To ensure all paperwork, files and electronic files are accurate, relevant and up to date and up to date.

k) To engage in non-institutional work practices and promote good practice, ensuring that key elements of a Psychological informed environment are adhered to ensure a solution focussed, person centred approach.

**2. To assist with the Housing Management functions of the organisation**

a) To carry out a full move in and in-depth assessment of services users upon entry in line with the organisation’s eligibility criteria, identifying which pathway through services will be taken.

b) To ensure that services users are aware of and help them to adhere to our policy and procedures

c) To assist with service user crisis and incidents including anti-social behaviour

d) To assist the Rent and Licence team in the rent collection process as required.

e) To ensure that the licence agreement is adhered to and respond to any conditions/ responsibilities that are not met to ensure a safe and pleasant environment for all.

**3.** **To carry out other duties that reasonably fall within the scope of the post: -**

a) Responding to emergencies / crisis.

b) Attendance at meetings deemed appropriate by the Senior Project Worker.

c) Participation in training and supervision.

d) You must work constructively with other departments within the YMCA Cardiff Group.

e) Assisting with jobs that usually fall to another member of staff but in whose absence, failure to carry out the work would present a risk or offence to others or would be detrimental to the organisations’ service provision.

f) To adhere to and be aware of the Associations policies and procedures, including GDPR, code of conduct, Health & Safety and Equal Opportunities.

g) To be able to respect the Christian ethos of the YMCA and uphold its values

**Person Specification - Job Title: PROJECT WORKER**

**ESSENTIAL**

Educated to NVQ level 4

Understanding of the causes and effects of homelessness

Experience of work with vulnerable adults and/or young people

Knowledge and understanding of current homelessness issues, criminal justice system and DWP benefits

Working knowledge of social and general housing issues

Ability to/experience of managing conflict

Experience of liaising with external agencies

Experience of completing assessments and establishing levels of need

**DESIRABLE**

Educated to degree or diploma level

Experience of advice work

Knowledge of Housing/Mental Health issues

Knowledge and understanding of the housing management functions

Experience of planning and delivering support

**SKILLS**

Excellent written / verbal communication skills

Administrative and IT skills

Good organisat