Support Worker, Swansea Substance Misuse

**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 Swansea working with homeless and potentially homeless men and women aged 18+ who are former substance users and long-term street drinkers. The service provides residential support with the aim of meeting individuals’ needs, which promote independence and lead to a sustainable move-on.

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:
1. Promoting Personal and Community Safety

2. Promoting Independence and Control

3. Promoting Economic Progress and Financial Control

4. Promoting Health and Wellbeing

**Purpose of Role**:
To provide residential support 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 future or current accommodation. The support will not create or increase dependence. It will ‘do with’ rather than ‘do for’, so it’s likely that support will involve accompanying Service Users initially, in order to familiarise them with an activity or appointment. Support will 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. In addition, to assist with the housing management needs of the project ensuring the delivery of a safe, secure and effective service.

**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 provide support to the residents of the project.**

a) To ensure that Service Users are aware of the mission, aims and objectives, policies and procedures of the projects and the duties, responsibilities and obligations of staff.

b) To ensure that all Service Users are treated fairly and afforded equality of opportunity.

d) To support Service Users with particular reference to:

- Assisting with the delivery of project inductions to new Service Users.
- Carrying out the day to day tasks and activities of Service Users’ support plans.
- Providing information, advice and guidance that enable Service users to make informed decisions about their needs and support.
- Enabling Service Users to have a means of expressing their views and that this expression receives appropriate consideration.
- Actively involving Service Users in their support
- Actively involving Service Users in the project and/or organisation.
- Assisting with referrals to and liaising with relevant agencies and individuals with or on behalf of Service Users.
- Assisting Senior Support Workers (SSW) in reviewing needs and support plans and updating the relevant records with authorisation from a SSW.
- Assisting SSW i