Community Support Officer

Central is currently recruiting for a Community Support Officer, to work in Fulham area. The service provides resettlement support to ex-service clients to help them sustain independent living, rebuild their lives and ensure integration within the local community. 

The successful candidates will be required to work 35 hours per week, working across Monday - Friday, 9AM - 5PM. This is a fixed term contract for 2 years. The pay rate is £28,342 per annum.

Please note; you will mainly be based at the service in Fulham but will be required to travel across other services in the West London area. 

In this position, you will be required to:

• Hold a case load of 25 - 30 key clients and conduct regular key work sessions resulting in agreed Support Plans to identify client's goals, objectives and support required 
• Support service users to develop and maintain independent living skills 
• Provide benefits advice and enable service uses to sustain their tenancy and live independently
• Advocate for service users and help them obtain appropriate support 
• Develop community based activities, facilities and services that promote community engagement and wellbeing
• Support the development of a healthy lifestyle and where relevant to access appropriate health/medical services
• Access and obtain support from relevant mental health, drug and alcohol, counselling and ex-services support agencies
• Support service users to access employment, leisure, education and training opportunities.
• Record and report maintenance issues to housing and tenancy services and where necessary assist service users to report their own repair problems
• Liaise and work with other agencies including housing, health and social care professionals to support service users
• Work within established budgets and maintain accurate financial records

To apply for this role, you must have:

• Experience working with vulnerable adults and older people including homelessness, substance misuse, mental health and/or physical disabilities.
• Experience and knowledge of the challenges faced by ex-service clients. 
• Experience of supporting vulnerable adults to be independent. 
• Experience holding a case load and conducting key working, risk assessment and support planning.
• Knowledge of housing and related benefits that support independent living 
• Knowledge of safeguarding vulnerable adults; understanding how to respond to a safeguarding incident and reacting accordingly
• The ability to deal with customers exhibiting difficult or challenging behaviour in a positive way
• Plans and manages own work load, working flexibly to meet changing work priorities and demands

Candidates must confirm their interest as soon as possible, with interviews scheduled shortly after and the appointed candidate expected to start as soon as possible.

Further requirements:

In order to register with Central Recruitment Services for temporary agency work, candidates must meet the following criteria:

• Current valid right to work in the UK
• Minimum 12 months’ of paid experience in a front line social care role within the last 3 years* (unless recruitment criteria states otherwise)
• A fully enhanced DBS either registered on the DBS update service or issued within the last 12 months, or willingness to apply for one through Central (at a cost of £50)
• Employment or education history to cover the last 5 years which can be verified through the referencing process

How to apply:

If you feel that you fully meet the above outlined criteria for this role and would like apply for this post, please forward your CV for consideration.

*Please note the outlined experience is the 'minimum' first stage criteria, and we will therefore be unable to consider your application unless you are able to demonstrate a relevant work history in line with this position.