Homeless Support Worker

**Full time 37 hours a week. Working a 7 week rolling rota with a mix of early (7am to 3.30pm), mid (9am-50pm) and late (12pm - 8pm) shifts.**

**£23,775 progressing to £25,027**

**Bournemouth Housing First **supports people who are homelessness across Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch. This is a new service that starts in June, so this is an exciting opportunity to be part of the set up and implementation of this team.

Our team will be providing intensive, one to one support to enable clients to maintain their accommodation and achieve their goals.

If you love working with people, and are looking for an exciting role, where you can develop your skills, then this is the role for you.

**MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES**
- You will have your own caseload of clients to support and will work with them on a one to one basis out in the community and in the clients homes.
- You will identify their needs by listening to them and put together a support plan which is equally achievable and realistic for them
- You will link in with outreach workers and other agencies to build rapport and trust with clients who are homeless in preparation for them getting their own accommodation
- You will support clients to attend appointments and act as a link for clients to engage in services with the aim to improve their physical and mental health
- You will work with people to identify their strengths and talents, and encourage them to focus and build on these, with a view to affecting behavioural and lifestyle changes that are positive and sustainable
- You will be conscientious in areas such as safeguarding and lone working
- You will help clients to access the benefits they are entitled to claim
- You will challenge harmful behaviours and play an active role in encouraging people to come inside from the street, or to play an active part in sustaining their accommodation
- You will support them to manage and safely manage alcohol and or substance misuse
- You will encourage their involvement in personal progression in the form of education, training, employment activity or volunteering
- You will help them improve their practical skills in areas such as budgeting, shopping, cooking, housework and managing a tenancy
- You will work with external partners to maximise the opportunities available to clients so that they can resettle in the community. Specifically working closely with the client’s property owners and Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch councils to ensure a successful tenancy
- Maintain client records using relevant systems to a good standard
- Work in accordance with the Health and Safety regulations and all policies and procedures
- You will gain knowledge and understanding of the Housing First principles and how Housing First uses a client-led approach
- You will be non-judgemental and work towards the clients' goals and not towards societies expectations
- Attend supervision, appraisal, training and meetings as directed which may be outside your normal working pattern
- Work flexibly across all areas of operation where required and prior notice given
- Any other reasonable task as requested by a member of staff

**KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, EXPERIENCE & ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS/TRAINING**

Previous experience in this type of work is not essential but you will have a real passion for wanting to work with people who are homeless. You will receive support and training in understanding the key principles of Housing First but some prior research and understanding of the support model is desirable Your values will match ours, you will be committed to helping others and enjoy the real job satisfaction that this brings.
- Clear verbal and written English
- Good IT and keyboard skills
- Polite, assertive manner, ability to self -motivate
- Passion for working in a client/customer facing role
- Knowledge of the benefits system and tenancy legislation
- Have an interest and genuine concern for homelessness and related issues
- Knowledge of voluntary and statutory agencies
- Knowledge of best practice in supporting people with drug/alcohol and/or mental ill health issues, including realistic harm reduction approaches
- ** Important: Driving licence and access to a car is essential for this role**:

- ** Important: Job requires staff to work on a rota including some weekends and has elements of lone working in the community**

INDLOW

We offer support to people who are homeless, vulnerable or at risk of becoming homeless and need help rebuilding their lives for a brighter future. Our services include safe, flexible and reliable client led housing and support with a focus on reducing homelessness, improving health and wellbeing and building on individual’s skills and resilience to break the cycle of homelessness, poverty and exclusion.

We work in partnership with multiple agencies and authorities to deliver support and accommodation needs across Berkshire, Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Portsmouth and Southampton.

We’re committed to