Support Worker

New Start is a family-run, not-for-profit organisation, providing residential and supported accommodation services for vulnerable adults, families, children, and young people. We deliver a diverse range of homelessness projects and temporary housing solutions, helping some of the most complex and disadvantaged groups across Merseyside.

**Strengths-Based Housing Support Worker/Coach**

Have you had experience working as a housing support worker? Do you hold the necessary skills to coach and inspire people to move forward positively with their lives? If you do, then we have a fantastic opportunity for a strengths-based Housing Support Coach to work within a 24/7 supported accommodation hostel in Liverpool. You will be supporting vulnerable adults via a program of empowerment and confidence-building, helping them to personally grow and develop within safe and comfortable lodgings whilst working towards greater independence and a more permanent housing solution.

What we have to offer
- Competitive Salary - £24570 (37.5 Hours) - £26371.80 - (40.25 Hours)
- A contributory pension scheme
- 225 Hours Annual Leave rising to 285 with length of service
- An online bespoke Mandatory training package including a wide range of additional resources to support your development
- A range of learning and development opportunities up to and including Level 5
- Monthly group reflective practice sessions
- Medicash and Employee Assistance Programme

**Responsibilities as a Housing Support Coach will include**:

- Managing and inspiring positive change for a caseload of residents within a psychologically informed hostel-environment
- Supporting those who access the service to settle in, and work towards implementing a more empowering and positive daily structure into their lives at a pace that is realistic and achievable to them
- Educating residents on harm reduction around substance misuse and supporting those who are contemplating recovery from addictions to understand the steps required to access various treatment options
- Planning future long-term accommodation and resettlement options via a personalised strengths-based support plan
- Offering ongoing coaching, advice, and guidance on housing/resettlement related issues from the beginning of a resident’s tenancy through to their planned exit
- Conducting ‘trauma aware’ needs and risk assessments, and updating when necessary
- Exploring education, training, and employment options with residents
- Empowering residents to sustain their welfare benefits, manage their tenancy and comply with key functions that are necessary to support their basic needs/finances
- Referring clients to relevant specialist support agencies to assist with support that cannot be met within the service remit
- Liaising with external agencies (from a multidisciplinary perspective) on behalf of residents to ensure they can access what they need from services
- Working as part of a team overseeing the health and safety of the building and all residents/visitors/co-workers whilst on shift
- Completing regular resident welfare checks (as required) throughout the shift
- Completing thorough case notes for all residents throughout the shift and providing a detailed handover to the next members of staff coming on shift
- Supporting residents to maintain contact with specialist and clinical agencies
- Reporting any incidents or concerns to the Project Manager
- Effectively managing and reporting incidents that occur within the service in-line with New Start’s serious incident protocol

**What we are looking for in a Support Coach**:

- NVQ Level 3 in Housing/Health and Social Care, or be working towards this qualification
- Experience of working with individuals with complex needs, substance misuse issues, mental health, trauma, and/or offending backgrounds
- Experience of working collaboratively with other agencies both voluntary and statutory
- Experience and understanding of safeguarding vulnerable people
- Previous experience of working in a hostel setting or delivering support via outreach work/in-reach work
- An excellent understanding of homelessness/rough sleeping, substance misuse, harm reduction and managing complex needs/behaviours
- An ability to motivate people and build positive connections
- Knowledge and experience of how to support people from a person-centred perspective, positively engaging people through a process that is led by them
- Ability to accurately record information, such as case notes, risk assessments, support plans and incident forms
- Experience of working with Mainstay would also be desired, however full training will be provided

The post is rota-based which may include weekends/unsociable hours as the role supports a service wide day/evening rota.