Community Support Worker

**Community Support Service**

**JOB DESCRIPTION**

**A Basic Details**
Job title: Community Support Worker

Office location: Hulme, Manchester

Area of operation: Hulme, Manchester

Reporting to: Project Manager - Community Support

Responsible for: A client caseload

No staff management responsibilities

**B Aim of the Service**
People First Community Support Services deliver housing related support to provide clients with the resources, information and networks to maintain their independence and sustain their accommodation. By so doing, we aim to support clients to gains the skills and motivation to live independently, increase involvement in their communities, reduce dependency on services and improve health and well-being.

**C Main objectives of the post**
The Community Support Worker (CSW) will visit clients in their own homes and working to a clear support plan will provide time limited support. They will develop and maintain excellent working relationships with other services and facilities within the community to enable clients’ support needs to be met. They will provide recovery focussed support with an emphasis on prevention, maintaining independence, building resilience, and participation in meaningful activity.

**D Tasks and Responsibilities**
**1. Client Support**

1.1 To sensitively assess people referred to the service, making accurate evaluations of support needs and risk factors.
1.2 To provide a flexible, consistent and non-judgemental approach to engaging and maintaining professional relationships with clients.
1.3 To address challenging and complex behaviours of clients by making referrals as appropriate to other services.
1.4 To use the association’s support planning framework to agree goals with clients that will include: independent living skills; housing issues; finances; relationships and support networks; employment, education, training and volunteering; physical and mental health and well-being.

1.5 To assist clients to develop the practical and emotional skills necessary to manage their support needs and build upon their strengths.

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1.6 Where a degree of risk is identified to carry out risk assessments and review in accordance with the association’s Risk Management Policy, involving other agencies as necessary.

1.7 To keep well organised client files and up-to date records of client contact.
1.8 To ensure clients are empowered to identify and review their support needs, and make decisions about how their support is provided, involving carers and other agencies as necessary.

1.9 To maximise client’s access to relevant services, encouraging choice and independence.
1.10 To sensitively plan the withdrawal of support via a move-on plan, involving carers and other agencies as necessary. Where a further period of support is needed to prepare the report required by the commissioning authority explaining why the client cannot exit the service.

1.11 To encourage client feedback and involvement in the planning and delivery of services, taking particular account of issues of equality and diversity.

1.12 To meet the statutory requirements for the safeguarding of children, young people and adults with care and support needs and be familiar with the relevant policies and guidance available.

**2. Liaison and Monitoring**

2.1 To maintain excellent professional relationships with referral partners and build relationships with prospective referral agencies.

2.2 To ensure all referrals are dealt with quickly and feedback on unsuccessful applicants given in line with the association’s Referrals, Assessments and Allocations Policy.

2.3 To build up extensive links with relevant statutory and voluntary services and advocate on behalf of clients to ensure their needs are met.

2.4 To identify and work with other agencies, to address root causes of clients’ support needs and deliver evidence based interventions. Signposting to other services to include support to access appropriate health care, benefits advice, and support into or towards employment, education, training and volunteering.

2.5 To manage own caseload efficiently in order to optimise utilisation of our support services.
2.6 To work within agreed liaison protocols with partner agencies, taking responsibility for giving regular feedback to partners in the agreed format.
2.7 To provide all monitoring information and incident reporting within the required timescales.
2.8 To positively market the service and the association.
2.9 To be up to date and aware of safeguarding and early help procedures that need to be complied with to ensure client needs are met.

**3. Policy and Development**

3.1 To be familiar with and work within all agreed policies and procedures.
3.2 To contribute to service reviews and policy development.
3.3 To feedback client views with regards to policy and service development.

**4. Communication and Team**

4.1 To comply with agreed methods of written and verbal communication.
4.2 To comply with