Specialist Project Worker - Homeless & Vulnerable

Specialist Project Worker - Homeless & Vulnerable - 1 year contract - £33k - central London

This homeless support charity, helping individuals with temporary housing and support of welfare, obtaining permanent housing, medical needs, benefits, etc, is looking for a Specialist Project Worker. The Specialist Project Worker will be working in a psychologically informed way, to provide housing advocacy, accommodation and tenancy support solutions for clients based in temporary accommodation that the charity has. To ensure that clients are linked in with specialist services for their drug, alcohol support needs and their physical and mental health. To work closely with teams across the borough and within the charity as appropriate.

SALARY ETC:

• £33,000 + benefits
• Full-Time, Fixed Term Contract (until the 31/03/2025)
• Hours: 35 hours per week excluding breaks. You will be expected to work a flexible shift system that will involve working hours between Monday to Friday 8am until 5 pm.
• Start: ASAP
• Central London

REQUIREMENTS:

• Must have full right to work in the UK
• Experience of housing advocacy work on behalf of homeless and vulnerably housed individuals.
• Experience of working collaboratively with voluntary, statutory and private sector agencies.
• Experience of working with clients with complex and challenging health issues
• Experience of assessing resident needs and delivering psychologically informed interventions to ensure resident needs are identified and met.
• Experience of developing and delivering group work for clients.
• An awareness of the issues that face street homeless and vulnerable people.
• A working knowledge of the main housing legislation, homelessness reduction act, and housing options (including the private rented sector) relating to homeless and vulnerably housed people.
• Knowledge and understanding the issues facing people through the resettlement and tenancy sustainment process.
• Knowledge of the skills and attitudes needed to support clients within a psychologically informed framework.
• In depth knowledge of the benefits system.

DUTIES TO INCLUDE:

• Carry out in-depth assessment of client’s housing and support needs and risk levels.
• Based on these assessments, and input from other teams, provide housing advice, risk assessments, accommodation referrals and resettlement support to clients that are temporarily housed at this project.
• Use knowledge of tenancy rights and responsibilities, support services, the benefits system, training & employment options and independent living skills to support clients in all aspects of resettlement, providing tenancy sustainment solutions that empower clients to take control of their lives.
• Maintain positive and effective working relationships with teams within the local authority and other accommodation providers, including private rented landlords, to ensure a seamless service is provided to clients.
• Be responsible for developing and implementing a range of group activities including resident forums, life skills education and pre-tenancy workshops.
• Use skills in key working with clients with both mental health and substances issues to provide support through the appropriate pathways, or to support clients on their journey until they become ready to access relevant services.
• Keep well informed of changes and developments to relevant housing legislation and benefit systems to provide clients with accurate and appropriate advice.
• Working in a psychologically informed way, agree a support plan with every client that is regularly reviewed and monitored.
• Engage with other teams at the charity and externally to ensure that a holistic support service is delivered to all clients. Engage in multi-disciplinary team meetings to review cases and to update support plans.
• Undertake health and safety checks of the building and report issues to the landlord and the Project Coordinator.