Night Support Worker

_**NB Shortlisting will be undertaken on the basis of the enclosed person specification, so please address all criteria listed in the person specification when completing your CV.**_

**Information about our Night Support Service**

First Housing Aid and Support Services supports individuals and families who are homeless, or at risk of becoming homeless.

The Night Support Service was set up in 2009 and continues to work in and around the city centre area of Derry/Londonderry with people who are street drinkers and are sleeping rough. The service provides a conduit for individuals who are sleeping rough to access accommodation from all hostel providers within the city. The service also enables links to be made to day shelter within De Paul Haven Day Shelter, located on John Street, for those people who would otherwise continue to drink on the streets.

The service works with people who are sleeping rough, persons with addictions and those who need support to access services focused on safety, security and harm minimisation.

The principle aims of the service is
- Provision of active street rescue services focused towards combating street homelessness and rough sleeping in the Derry/Londonderry area.
- Patrol in and around known hotspots for drinkers in the city and to complement the services provided by hostels.
- Provision of practical and emotional support for clients who are marginalized and distressed by their addiction.
- To enable service users to get home safely and ensure tenancy sustainment within the community.
- Reduce the visible presence of people who are drinking on the streets and ensure that they use the services of De Paul Haven Day Shelter.
- Reduce rough sleeping in the city.
- Help to minimise anti-social behaviour associated with drinking on the street.

Work in partnership and provide a multi-agency response to needs of those who find themselves in crisis through addictions.

**FIRST HOUSING AID & SUPPORT SERVICES JOB DESCRIPTION**

**Title**: Night Support Worker

**Reports To**: Deputy Manager

**Purpose &** **Objectives**:
To aim to end street homelessness in the city of Derry/Londonderry by providing a high quality, responsive and cost-effective street outreach service that meets the needs of people who are sleeping rough and those engaged in associated street culture within the areas.

To act in a professional, proactive capacity that will contribute to the strategic objectives of the organisation in enhancing the well-being of its service users through a network of support.

**Location**: Based at 23 Bishop Street, Derry/Londonderry; working within and around the city centre area

**Salary **£22,400 per annum

**Hours of Work **37.5 hours per week (full time) shift rota basis

**Probationary Period **6 months

**Annual Leave** 5 working weeks, exclusive of bank and customary holidays

**Sickness Scheme **3 working weeks contractual pay in any 12 month rolling period under current terms and conditions of employment

**Pension **Company pension available, further details available on request

**MAJOR TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES**:
1. Develop, build and maintain effective relationships with people who are homeless and those engaged in associated street culture within the area. These relationships will be either through referral or on a direct street engagement basis.

2. Assess on an individual basis the risk and needs of each service user.

3. Ensure a plan of support is developed for each individual presenting in crisis.

4. Develop effective liaison with other agencies ensuring appropriate pathways are established and agreed with accommodation providers, benefit agencies, Day Shelter Services, drug and alcohol services/workers, etc to ensure best outcome for the service user.

5. Assist statutory agencies in profiling the population of people who are sleeping/drinking on the streets.

6. Contribute to effective team working and ensure professional joint working relationships with managers and staff from other agencies.

7. Assist in the collection of statistical information on the work of First Housing Night Support Service to reach deadlines as directed by the Deputy Manager.

8. To participate in recording and reporting systems regarding daily events in view of clear communication requirements.

9. To work alongside other relevant agencies such as City Centre Initiative, Social Workers, General Practitioners, Policing Services, Housing Services in the delivery of support services to the client.

10. To carry out appropriate procedures and protocol that deal with high-risk behaviours, decision making and conflict situations.

11. To maintain written case management files under support structure systems.

12. To carry out enhanced monitoring and evaluation of vulnerable individuals who have been identified as ‘at risk’, and ensure that such adults are reported to the appropriate agencies as a vulnerable person/s.

13. To carry out regular health and safety checks as part of d