Senior Support Worker

**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 GIFT project operates across Denbighshire working with individuals and families who are homeless or potentially homeless, sometimes with complex needs. You will be providing 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 coordinate and provide floating 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 current or future accommodation. The 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.

**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**:
**1. To visit people in their homes or in the community and provide housing related support.**

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.

c) To manage referrals according to the procedures and eligibility criteria of the project.

e) To manage a Service User caseload with particular reference to:
i. Coordinating and carrying out needs and risk assessments and developing risk management plans.

ii. Coordinating and providing project inductions to all new Service Users.

iii. Identifying the goals and aspirations of Service Users and developing outcome focused support plans.

iv. Coordinating the day to day tasks and activities of Service Users support plans.

vi. Providing information, advice and guidance that enable Service users to make informed decisions about their needs and support.

vii. Ensuring that Service Users have a means of expressing their views and that this expression receives appropriate consideration.

viii. Actively involving Service Users in their support, the project and/or organisation.

ix. Making referrals to and liaising with relevant agencies and individuals with or on behalf of Service Users.

x. Coordinating and carrying out the reviewing of needs, risk and support plans in line with procedure.

xi. Coordinating and carrying out the monitoring of Ser