An exciting opportunity for an experienced, and capable, Housing Support Worker to join our Supported Housing Team, at YMCA West Kent.
Responsible to
Supported Housing Manager; with day to day supervision provided by the Senior Support Worker
Job Purpose
Encourage and empower residents in their personal and social development, resettlement and move-on to independent living. Develop a learning culture where each resident’s growth is holistic.
Main Responsibilities
Assist in housing interviews and risk assessments of all housing applicants
Induct new residents into the project and make an initial support assessment through the use of action plans
Carry out needs assessments and encourage residents to address personal and social development, agreeing their personal goals as part of a cohesive support plan
Ensure appropriate consultation with residents, and encourage and facilitate participation in project decision-making and attending residents’ meetings
Collect weekly service charge from each resident – ensuring they are ahead with this. Agree and implement budget plans as required
Provide resettlement support, encouraging and enabling residents to seek more appropriate move-on accommodation. Establish and maintain good links with local authorities, landlords and voluntary organisations
Help develop a varied and inclusive programme of social and leisure activities to assist residents’ development in body, mind and spirit. Assist residents and the youth inclusion worker with fundraising events as required.
Encourage all residents to make good use of support services and educational resources available to them in Ryder House and other West Kent YMCA projects.
Attend relevant external and YMCA meetings.
Provide on-call cover as required by the rota: being available on the on-call mobile to advise, support or visit Ryder House. This will include some weekends.
Ensure the work and programme is carried out within a framework of equal opportunities, and approved administrative practice.
Be the duty member of staff for 20 hours per week as per the staffing rota which is regularly issued, which includes early, late and weekend shifts and occasional night, with possible view to full time contracted employment.
Ensure that Ryder House adheres to standards of cleanliness, and to assist with cleaning when necessary.
Promote the work of West Kent YMCA to external agencies.
Keep documented records of all one to one work with residents – ensuring all relevant information is communicated to the team, team leader or manager as appropriate.
Develop a good working knowledge of current welfare benefits.
Operate the CCTV security system.
Ensure residents maintain their tenancy and adhere to the project house rules.
Other duties as agreed from time to time with the Chief Executive.
Adhere to and work within all West Kent YMCA policy and procedures, including Health & Safety, Safeguarding, Code of Conduct, Professional Boundaries, Data Protection, Use of IT, Staff and Volunteer Handbook.
Working Relationships
Regular meetings with the Senior Support Worker and Supported Housing Manager to facilitate the general running of the accommodation including regular support and supervision as part of your personal development.
To work as an integral part of the YMCA Housing Support Team to deliver positive outcomes for residents of Ryder House.
Training
To attend in-house and external training as required in your personal development plan.
West Kent YMCA Person Specification
Knowledge
Essential
- Education to GCSE level or above – literacy and numeracy
- Understanding of the value of personal development work with young people
- Knowledge and understanding of the needs of young people
Desirable
- Qualification in youth work, housing support, housing or training
- Knowledge of the YMCA movement, its aims and purposes
- Experience in basic counselling and skills training
- Understanding of the welfare benefits system
- Knowledge of housing and homelessness issues, particularly as they relate to vulnerable young people
Experience
Essential
- Worked with young people for at least two years
- Supportive of the Christian ethos of West Kent YMCA
Desirable
- Experience within the YMCA movement
- Experience of supervision/one to one work with young people in a learning environment
- Experience of housing/hostel work
- Experience in liaising with external agencies
Aptitudes and Skills
Essential
- Able to manage time and prioritise conflicting demands for self and others
- Liaise effectively and professionally with external organisations
- Good communication skills, written and verbal, including presentation and email
- Computer literate – for monitoring, reporting, research and dealing with other agencies
- Able to work unsocial hours on a rota basis as part of a team
- Keen sense of humour
- Flexibility
- Innovative
- Perseverance
- Able to engage and empower young people to be more self-motivated and confident
- Willing to undertake training, supervision and continuing professional development
Desirable
Post is subject to enhanced DBS disclosure and references – with possibility of full time employment