Reception Engagement Worker

Crisis is the national charity for people experiencing homelessness. We know that homelessness is not inevitable. We know that together we can end it. 

It is an exciting and important time to be joining us at Crisis. We work with thousands of people across England, Scotland, and Wales so they can leave homelessness behind for good. We continue to adapt the way our services work to maximise our impact in ending homelessness. We have increased our capacity to work with people one to one and also strengthened our ability to support those people facing the greatest barriers to preventing or ending their homelessness. 

Location: Based in Crisis Newcastle Skylight, City House, City Road, NE1 2AF 

About the role 

Demand for support for people experiencing homelessness is changing and we have a vacancy in our front facing Engagement and Assessment service. 

This service provides first line support to people experiencing homelessness, assessing their needs, identifying support, and working with other staff and services to address their homelessness. 

We need someone to join this team as a receptionist to increase our capacity to respond to new and existing members of Crisis. 

As the first point of contact, our Engagement and Assessment service greets individuals who are experiencing homelessness or facing a risk of homelessness. You will be working in a fast paced and often challenging environment, explaining and guiding people through the Crisis service offer, and signposting to other local support services. You will need to create a welcoming and encouraging environment, to ensure that people seeking support feel understood and respected. 

No two days are the same, and you will be greeting people, helping signpost to appropriate services and responding to telephone and email enquires in a positive and supportive way. This is a key role as you will be part of a members journey out of homelessness, right from their first presentation. 

About you 

As a receptionist you have a real opportunity to demonstrate your compassion and empathy for people experiencing homelessness as our first point of contact at Crisis. 

Sometimes visitors are distressed by their situation and this role would suit someone who is both resilient and compassionate. 

You will need to have strong communication skills, be able to listen and respond even when people are demonstrating their distress through their language and behaviour. This is where you will demonstrate confidence in your ability to assertively challenge inappropriate behaviour and de-escalate conflict. 

You will develop professional relationships with our members who regularly attend and become part of their progression out of the most difficult of personal circumstances. Our current team tell us how rewarding and motivating this can be. 

You will need to be able to help manage the reception area, spot potential concerns and safety issues and respond to these to ensure that reception is a safe space for new and existing members, and other colleagues. 

You will have experience of working with vulnerable people, balancing this together with an excellent level of customer service, IT skills and an ability to accurately record sensitive information. 

You will be interested in evolving your skills and playing an active role as we continue to develop our Engagement and Assessment service further. 

We believe diversity is a strength, and our aim is to make sure that Crisis truly reflects the communities we serve. We are actively working towards our organisation being a place where everyone can thrive and make their best contribution to our mission of ending homelessness for good. We know that the more perspectives, voices, and experiences we can bring to this work, the better. We particularly welcome applications from people who have lived experience of homelessness, and people from all marginalised groups, communities and backgrounds.

Working at Crisis 

As a member of the team, you will have access to a wide range of employee benefits including: 

• Interest free loans for travel season ticket, cycle to work, and deposit to secure a tenancy. 

• Pension scheme with an employer contribution of 8.5% 

• 28 days’ annual leave  

• Enhanced maternity, paternity, shared parental, and adoption pay. 

• Flexible working around the core hours 10am-4pm 

• And more! (Full list of benefits available on website) 
  

Alongside our excellent staff benefits, we will support your ongoing development to build your skills, experience, and career. 

When you join us, you will have the opportunity to join our staff diversity networks, which aim to champion issues across the organisation, enable staff to be their authentic and best selves and contribute to making Crisis a truly diverse organisation.  

How to apply 

If you would like to learn more about the role, you are invited to join an information session at Crisis Newcastle Skylight, City House, City Road, NE1 2AF on the Wednesday 15 May 2024 at 4:30pm hosted by Paul Wightman (Operations Manager - Engagement & Assessment) and Iona Brown (Receptionist). To request attendance please email Paul Wightman, Paul.Wightman@crisis.org.uk 

Closing date: Sunday 19 May 2024 (at 23:59) 

Interviews will be held on Tuesday 4 and Wednesday 5 June 2024 Crisis Newcastle Skylight, City House, City Road, NE1 2AF