Support Worker

Shelter NI

17161
37.00

The support worker will be responsible promote independence and enable each young person to achieve lasting independent living skills.

 

Job purpose: The support worker will be responsible for providing a range of high quality services within the Sl-eight project. Individual tailored support will be delivered to young people aged 16-25 referred to the project who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless who have a need for housing related services. The support offered aims to promote independence and enable each young person to achieve lasting independent living skills.

 

Hours: Full or Part Time positions (hours to be arranged)

Positions require a flexible working arrangement including evenings and weekends.  Participation in an out of hours on call rota will be required also.

 

Responsible to: Project Manager.

 

Salary: N.J.C Scale 4 starting at £17,161 (for 37 hours per week, otherwise pro rata)

 

Responsibilities:

  • To enable service users to achieve independent living as far as possible by  ensuring service users develop the skills needed to attain, maintain and sustain stable housing arrangements
  • To provide emotional and practical support to service users.
  • To advocate on behalf of service users where necessary and to provide relevant information to each individual.
  • To assist service users to identify their support needs and to work with them to choose the best paths to meet these needs.
  • To assess the housing and support needs of prospective service users who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless.  To take part in decisions on allocations.
  • To assist in the assessment of needs and risk specific to each service user
  • To encourage service users to set and attain realistic and achievable outcomes.
  • To monitor and record the service users progress by a process of regular review.
  • To advise service users on benefit entitlements and ensure that their income from benefits is maximised.  
  • To promote service users involvement and active participation in the Project.
  • To facilitate service users meetings and consultation groups.

 

Provide a safe, comfortable and supportive environment for the individuals we support.

  • Support service users to learn and maintain living skills in respect of the running of their own accommodation.
  • Carry out health and safety assessments, follow health and safety procedures and participate in fire drills and audits.
  • Report any maintenance and repairs.

Assist the individuals we support to present themselves as valued members of the local community.

  • Create opportunities for social and leisure activities with service users.
  • Introduce service users to a range of facilities and amenities in the local neighbourhood and wider community.

 

Ensure that the rights of the people we support are always protected and respected.

  • Ensure that each individual is supported as far as possible to exercise their rights in the following areas: privacy, choice, participation in decision making affecting their lives, expression of their own cultural identity, entitlement to service, feedback on the service they receive and the right to complain, protection of their property, maintaining links with family and friends.

 

Liaise with other professionals on behalf of the individuals we support.

  • To work with other professionals to ensure that service user’ needs are met.
  • To establish and maintain good working relationships with external agencies.

 

Keep records and participate in administrative tasks.

  • To maintain high quality records of contact with service users.
  • To maintain all records and check lists as required by the Support Service Manager.
  • To log all communications with outside agencies and professionals.
  • To maintain accurate and up-to-date recording of information to ensure effective communication within the team.
  • To maintain confidentiality in all written and verbal communication.

 

Participate in the opportunities provided for training and development.

  • Participate in regular supervision to: receive support, increase knowledge, identify training needs, evaluate work performance, aid and assess professional development.
  • Participate in an annual appraisal co-ordinated by your line manager.
  • Attend staff development programmes, training courses, seminars and workshops as required.

 

Work within, and promote, the policies and procedures of Shelter N.I

  • Follow organisational policies and procedures
  • Understand and respect the need for confidentiality about service users, staff and the organisation as a whole.
  • Promote equality of opportunity and a respect for diversity.

 

Be an active member of the Support Service team.

  • Help support the work of the team during absences, vacancies, or when a colleague is facing a difficulty or a tight deadline and needs assistance.
  • Liaise and coordinate with other team members to provide a cohesive, high quality service.
  • Participate in and contribute to team meetings.
  • Share with other team members, any previous experience, skills and knowledge, which may be relevant to the team in providing its service.
  • Be supportive, respectful and empathic to service users, colleagues and visitors.

 

General

  • Take an active part in fundraising activities.
  • To bring to the attention of your Project Manager any deviation from normal practice.

 

Any other duties may be requested commensurate with the overall purpose of the post as directed by the Project Manager or Area Manager.

Closing Date

Thursday / 20 November 2014
12:00pm

Contact Details

Donna Booker

The SL-eight Project
7A Dunbreen Close
Omagh
BT79 7XF
United Kingdom