Young People Support Worker

Support

• Work with clients to develop SMARTER support plans and risk assessment.
• Be fully aware of safeguarding issues and lead on client risk management within the service.
• Update the client data base to ensure client records are updated within timeframes and they accurately record interventions and demonstrate progress.
• Feed into policies and procedures relating to support and where required consult with stakeholders.
• Contribute to risk assessments and safeguarding plans. Be aware of and practice trauma informed working.
• Act as a point of contact for other agencies working with the individual.
• Support clients to settle into their accommodation and become familiar with the local area.
• Work closely with the Housing Team to ensure clients are complying with the terms of their occupancy agreements.
• Ensure clients are linked into appropriate support services and sustain engagement with services.

Housing

• Ensure that Causeway’s accommodation is safe, comfortable and appropriate for the needs of its occupants. Support clients to manage their accommodation and provide coaching and assistance in household management and independent living skills.
• Ensure that Causeway is compliant with Health & Safety law and good practice by ensuring that the appropriate checks are carried out and records maintained.
• Provide a consistently outstanding service to tenants and residents that demonstrates CIHA’s values and makes a real difference to our tenants’ lives.
• Interview and assess applicants. In particular, ensure that prospective tenants and residents have a positive attitude towards sharing, realistic expectations and awareness of their own obligations towards their housemates and the organisation.
• Engage with tenants and ensure that their views and ideas are taken on board.
• Support clients to budget and pay rent and service charges. Support the Housing Team with arrears management and communication with the clients.
• Carry our regular stock condition inspections, health & safety, and service inspections including cleaning and gardening. Be aware of any antisocial behaviour affecting neighbours or our residents and deal with this as per policy.
• Carry out pre- and post- inspections of reported maintenance issues. Arrange for the procurement of furniture and other items where this is agreed with agencies who purchase our services.
• Work with tenants to develop priorities for minor works and environmental improvements, with particular reference to décor, communal areas and gardens.
• Arrange and attend house and/or neighbourhood meetings as necessary.
• Assist in the resolution of service-related complaints to timescales, ensuring that the customer experience is positive.
• Assist tenants to deal with other agencies, including Universal Credit and Housing Benefit.

Teamwork

• Attend team meetings and reflective practice sessions and contribute to discussions.
• Work within Causeway’s health and safety policies and lone working arrangements.
• Work to team performance targets.
• Be respectful to colleagues and support good communication between all stakeholders.
• Reviewing Personal Performance and Development Needs
• Review and evaluate own performance to identify strengths and areas for development.
• Undertake development and training opportunities.

GENERAL

• Always adhere to Causeway’s Policies and Procedures.
• Cover for other members of the team and division as necessary.
• Undertaking, as required, any other duties compatible with the level and nature of the post and/or reasonably required by more senior members of staff.
• Attend and participate in external meetings and briefings as required.

CANDIDATE REQUIREMENTS

Experience

• A commitment to equal rights and a keen interest in working with young people.
• Experience of working in support, supported housing, or advice services.
• Experience of supporting people to develop aspirations and form healthy relationships.
• Organising a caseload, planning work, and successfully meeting all deadlines.

Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities

• Knowledge of the issues confronting young people and the needs of vulnerable homeless people in general.
• A sound knowledge of safeguarding and risk assessment, particularly regarding young people.
• Ability to work in a client- centred way and support clients to make progress in key areas of their lives, such as ETE and developing healthy relationships.
• A demonstrable commitment to equality and diversity, including but not limited to the principles of Black Lives Matter, Anti-racism, Gender Equity, and LGBTQ+ rights.
• Able to work with clients to develop outcomes, and actions to achieve these outcomes.
• Good written skills and the ability to structure written work clearly.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate clearly at all levels.
• Ability to plan and organise own workload.
• Ability to manage conflict.