Case Worker

**Case Worker & Housing Support**

**Grade **Case Worker

**Reporting to **Local Management Team

**Portfolio **Women Leaving prison project

**Contract **Fixed term - 3 years

**Hours**

35 hours per week, rota based across 7 days including mornings, afternoons, evenings and weekends.

**Scope of Responsibility**

To be a member of a multi-disciplined team using holistic approaches to support Depaul service users. Working to a housing-led, low threshold, harm reduction approach, where service users receive a high degree of support and advice. Depaul has a commitment to service user participation and to empowering our service users to manage their own lives.

The aim of the role is to support and signpost service users into services that will improve their housing, health and wellbeing while improving the service users quality of life. This is achieved through the provision of engagement and individualised support plans, targeted interventions, signposting and group work. You will work proactively form strong relationships and gain service users' trust, striving to provide the best possible service levels at all times.

**Key Areas of **Responsibility**

**Service user focus**
- To provide service user support in a person lead manner, which is both professional and respectful.
- Assess the safety and wellbeing needs of the service user and develop plans which address and reduce identified risks.
- In partnership with service users, to assess their needs and develop support plans, which are flexible and respond to the changing needs of the service users.
- Supporting people to engage with services, to stabilise and settle into accommodation settings
- To build effective, appropriate and supportive relationships with service users, developing support plans with the aim of reducing re-offending
- Be responsible and resilient in the face of challenging behaviour and individuals who may be in crisis; disclose and discuss risks responsibly, operate within existing data sharing frameworks; acknowledge areas of limitation; and liaise with all linked professionals responsibly.
- Developing and implementing Resettlement Plans and reviewing progress with Service Users.
- Facilitate individuals to identify and maintain appropriate move on accommodation providing practical help and support throughout this transition.
- To work with service users and relevant external agencies in order to deliver meaningful and effective key working To support service users to integrate with their communities in line with good neighbourhood principals.
- To advocate on behalf of service users to achieve the best outcomes for them.
- Provide outreach work within the community based on service delivery needs

**Health & Safety**
- To ensure that Health and Safety standards are met within the service in accordance with Depaul’s Health and Safety policy and procedures.
- To undertake assigned duties regarding the overall health and safety and security of the service and utilize available security systems to manage risk relevant to the service.
- To ensure completion of all relevant wellbeing and health and safety checks

**Administration & Record Keeping**
- Carry out service administration tasks such as; upkeep of client records, financial transactions, internal and external reports, incident and accident management and other record keeping relevant to the roles.
- To remain vigilant to IT and cyber risks and comply at all times with Depaul’s IT Security policies.

**Other duties**
- To be a contributing team player, taking part in handovers, team meetings, core training, the mentoring of Volunteers and supporting other team members in ensuring all decision making is appropriate and consistent
- To at all times undertake your role in a professional manner maintaining a high quality standard of work in line with Depaul Values and ethos.

The above list is not exhaustive; additional areas of responsibility may be added over time and flexibility to cover for other staff roles is required from time to time.
- Ability to work on a rota basis (7-day week - Mornings, Evenings & Weekends)
- Essential Criteria for community outreach Case Workers: Access to a car insured for business purposes during working hours, and a valid driving licence.

**Access NI**

**NISCC**

**Person Requirements Qualifications & Experience**
- A formal Level 3 qualification in a social care field, e.g. diploma in health and social care or equivalent

**And**
- At least 2 years paid experience working with vulnerable women, desirably experience working with women leaving prison

**OR**
- At least 3 years paid experience working with vulnerable women, desirably experience working with women leaving prison

**And**

3 formal qualifications at Level 2 to include Math and English, e.g. GCSE’s or NVQ

**Skills**
- Good working knowledge of risk assessment and risk management processes
- Good IT skills, including working knowledge of using IT systems to record client infor