Senior Project Worker

**YMCA Brighton requires a Full Time Senior Project Worker at both William Collier House based in Brighton and George Williams Mews based in Portslade.**

**Overview of the Role**

To assess and support clients with a range of needs, including addiction, mental or physical health, welfare benefits, budgeting, cultural/faith needs and move-on. To play a role in maximising the independence and skills of clients, including, where appropriate delivering life skills training and accessing outside support and services. To ensure that the project offers a safe, rehabilitative home for clients. To support, supervise and direct staff, in conjunction with the Manager and Deputy Manager.

**Responsibilities**

In conjunction with other senior staff, interviewing and assessing prospective service users for accommodation.

In conjunction with other senior staff, interviewing, appointing and managing ancillary staff.

Supervising, directing and supporting staff, in particular ancillary staff, to ensure performance standards. Carrying out an annual appraisal of staff for whom you have direct management responsibility.

Attending senior staff meetings to monitor and progress the hostel’s performance by YMCA Brighton’s policies, budgets, aims and plans. Carrying out and overseeing necessary actions and performance targets arising from these meetings.

Undertaking administrative tasks for internal and external purposes. This may include, but not exclusively, compiling monitoring data and statistics, producing details for accounting or wage purposes, amending rotas and updating records.

Overseeing and carrying out the instructions of senior managers in ensuring adherence to YMCA Brighton’s published policies and procedures. Following these procedures at all times, including, but not only, those relating to Equal Opportunities, Health and Safety and Confidentiality.

Assisting in tasks necessary for the day-to-day running of the project including, but not limited to, social activities, provision of meals where necessary, reception/office cover, cleaning or minor repairs.

Meeting and consulting with individual service users to assess needs and plan support goals.

Overseeing that support goals set for all parties are met and reviewing those goals where necessary.

Accessing, liaising with, and developing links with other organisations and services to deliver appropriate care, support and advice for service users.

Attending casework supervision with the line Manager to review individual needs and cases and develop action plans in relation to caseload. Participating in personal supervision and appraisal as requested.

Maintaining detailed casework files, keeping accurate records of each individual’s needs and progress. Creating and managing own correspondence, reports, keyworking and diary notes in relation to this task.

Monitoring the security and safety of the project, taking action as necessary to ensure that health and safety standards are maintained.

Ensuring that service users comply with the terms of their license or tenancy, and with any rules set by the project, liaising with senior staff as appropriate.

Attending internal team meetings and representing YMCA Brighton at external meetings, case conferences and reviews as appropriate.

Carrying out ‘sleep-in’ or ‘on-call’ duties which will be arranged on a rota basis and for which an additional sum will be paid.

Identifying and attending training as directed by the line manager.

Follow Brighton YMCA’s Code of Conduct and policies relating to diversity and inclusion and Safeguarding protocols at all times.

To undertake any other duties which reasonably fall within the range and responsibilities of this post, as directed.

**Qualifications**

Essential:
Clear understanding of boundaries to worker/client relationship.

Clear knowledge/understanding of the potential issues facing homeless/ vulnerable adults and of housing/ mental health/ community care services and processes.

Experience of working with vulnerable people within a housing, support or residential environment.

Experience of working with vulnerable people within a housing, support or residential environment.

Experience of providing advice and/or creating support plans.

Experience of liaising and developing links with outside agencies/ professionals.

Strong organisational and time-management and administrative skills

Ability to produce clear written reports, records and letters aimed at a varied audience

Ability to communicate effectively with a wide range of clients, outside agencies and visitors, both verbally and in writing.

Ability to work to own initiative and within a team.

IT literacy to at least ‘Word’ level and willingness to develop these skills.

Ability to motivate, direct, and maximise the skills of, others

Ability to manage problematic, pressured or challenging situations

Understanding of, and commitment to, Equal Opportunities and anti-discriminatory practice.