Housing First Belfast - Case Worker

Job Description

• Salary : £28,040.00 Contract : Permanent
• Hours : 35 per week (varied shifts)

Location: Nelson Street, Belfast (with travel)

Employee Benefits

Enhanced Annual Leave – 35 days per year, increasing as your length of service increases

Paid Sick Leave

Company maternity & paternity pay

Contributory Pension scheme

Health Cash Back & Rewards Plan

Christmas Savers club

Bluelight discount card

Plus, many opportunities to learn and develop within the organisation

• Why work for us?
• Depaul is a cross border charity supporting some of the most marginalised individuals, couples and families experiencing homelessness. Our mission is to end homelessness and change the lives of those affected by it. Would you like to help us to meet our mission?
• We are a values led organisation and aim, at all times, to live and breathe these values in our everyday work. Our values are based on four key principles:
• •We celebrate the potential of people
• •We put our words into action
• •We aim to take a wider role in civil society
• •We believe in rights and responsibilities If you choose to work for Depaul

About the Role

You will 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.

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 to 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.

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 Adults

OR

At least 3 years paid experience working with vulnerable Adults

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 information

Good written and verbal communication skills.

The ability to compile and present accurate written and electronic reports

Knowledge

Have an understanding of homelessness and the issues that can lead to homelessness

Have an understanding of what supports can be offered in homeless services to promote positive futures

Have knowledge/experience of working with needs assessment, key working and support planning for service users, specifically relating to people who have committed offences

Have a knowledge of the statutory and voluntary sector resources available to people experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness

Understand the importance for Health and Safety standards in the delivery of services on a day to day basis.

Knowledge of relevant statutory and voluntary agencies and the ability to network/liaise with all relevant bodies

Knowledge and willingness to work within the guidelines of Depaul vision mission and values.

Circumstances

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

This Post is subject to an Enhanced Access NI check. Having a criminal record will not necessarily debar you from working with Depaul. This will depend on the nature of the position, together with the circumstances and background of your offences or other information contained on a disclosure certificate.

• NISCC
• This post is subject to NISCC registration, if you do hold a valid registration this must be completed within your probationary period.

Depaul Ireland are an Equal Opportunities employer.