Senior Support Worker, Drop in Service, Torfaen

**Introduction**:
The Wallich is a homelessness charity delivering innovative housing and support services to homeless and vulnerably housed people. The Organisation formed in 1978 in Cardiff and now supports around 8000 people a year across Wales. Our work falls into four principal areas:
1. Residential supported housing projects, including direct access hostels, emergency night shelters and accommodation for people with specific issues such as substance misuse, youth services etc.

2. Floating (Tenancy) support projects in which we support people who have tenancy difficulties, sometimes with a contributing health or other need, and are in danger of losing their homes.

3. Prevention or intervention projects supplied through Homelessness Prevention Grant funding which are a broad range of services that prevent homelessness or make life better for homeless people.

4. Participation and Progression services, which are embedded in all our projects enhancing support through providing opportunities for Service Users to take an active part in their community. These services include those designed to enable people to move into meaningful activities including employment and training opportunities.

The Wallich’s values are of empowerment and treating people with dignity, respect and unconditional positive regard. The Wallich is committed to providing services that are trauma informed and delivered with Psychologically Informed Environments (PIE) at the heart of its support. A PIE is an approach to supporting people out of homelessness whilst making significant and positive progress in overcoming trauma, substance misuse and mental illness. It also considers the psychological needs of staff: developing skills and knowledge, increasing motivation, job satisfaction and resilience. At the heart of what we do are the people we support, who are actively and meaningfully involved in their own support and encouraged to participate in the design, development and delivery of services.

**Project Description**:
The project operates in Torfaen, working with people who may be homeless, potentially homeless or vulnerably housed. The service provides housing related support within people’s homes or in the community, with the aim of preventing homelessness and increasing independence. The project is funded through the Supporting People Programme Grant and is required to meet the Welsh Government’s National Outcomes Framework. The Framework’s four main aims are:

- Promoting Personal and Community Safety
- Promoting Independence and Control
- Promoting Economic Progress and Financial Control
- Promoting Health and Wellbeing

**Purpose of Role**:
To be the first point of contact for individuals who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless in need of housing related advice or support to prevent or resolve their situation. Working with a range of stakeholders, including the Council’s Housing Solutions Team, this is a pivotal role that provides a proactive and solutions focused approach to preventing homelessness ensuring that individuals are accessing the necessary support to meet their needs.

Providing advice and support, this role aims to proactively work with individuals to prevent homelessness where possible and assist the homelessness officers by providing support to applicants.

This is a demand led role that enables and empowers Service Users to address housing and/or personal difficulties, build their skills and confidence, and ultimately improve their ability to maintain their current or future accommodation**.** The post holder will be responsible for:

- The provision of initial advice and support
- Coordination and completion of follow up activity (including feedback / updates to SU)
- Liaison with statutory and stakeholder services (including necessary forms and paperwork)
- Co-ordination of on-going referrals
- Occasionally required to deputise for support team

The advice & support will not create or increase dependence. It will ‘do with’ rather than ‘do for’ to enable people to improve their control, understanding and involvement in dealing with the issues that affect them, and assist Service Users to achieve their preferred outcomes. This role would suit someone with an inquisitive mind and good problem solving skills who relates well individuals from a broad cross section of the community.

**No Agencies.**

**We do not accept unsolicited agency referrals for this position and do not consider any applicants, to have been introduced to us via agency.**

**Main Duties, Responsibilities and Person Profile**:
**Main Duties and Responsibilities**

**1. **To deliver a drop in service and provide follow up casework, support or referral onto other housing related support services.**

a) To provide information, advice and guidance that enables Service users to make informed decisions about their needs and support with particular reference to:

- Identifying the goals and aspirations of Service Users.
-