Support Worker

Support Worker

We're looking for a kind, compassionate and resilient Support Worker to join our Hope House service in Slough.

£24,960.00 per annum, working 40 hours per week. Benefits include 25 days Annual Leave, pension schemes, staff discounts, healthcare and career progression.

Want to feel like you have an exciting future? You'll feel at home here.

We provide support for 16 customers, we have two sites Hope House (10 bed supported housing) Doddsfield Rd (6 flats independent living with floating support).
Hope House - Support hours 24 hours 7 days per week, with sleep- in based on a shift rota pattern - (sleep-ins staff are paid additional to salary advertised).
Doddsfield Rd - Floating support (during working hours)
Team - 1X Contract Manager, 1X Team Leader, 3.2 Support Workers.
Current Vacancy - 1x FTE/1 x FTC Support Worker role who will be allocated to work with customers at both sites.
Staff work closely with Slough Community Mental Health Team (SCMHT) we also have a designated Occupational Therapist working along side supporting staff. Customers also attend Hope College which is facilitated via Slough Mental Health Team as part of their recovery process needed in preparation into independent living.
This is a great opportunity for any Support Worker to gain exceptional experience within the mental health field, based on the solid working relationship with (SCMHT) We have since implemented training directly from SCMHT to support staff with understanding Mental Health diagnosis and Managing Crisis with our customers in-house.

This role requires a valid Right to Work for the UK as Look Ahead are not a sponsoring organisation.

What you'll do:

- Undertake key-working responsibilities for a caseload assigned by the Team Leader/ Manager
- Undertake initial and continuous assessment of needs and potential risks and agree levels of support and actions
- Create support/action plans for providing appropriate services based on the assessment and reflecting the services and resources available
- Support customers to undertake all domestic tasks wherever possible, including practical assistance where they have not yet developed the skills, to ensure customers enjoy a high quality of accommodation
- Develop and maintain links with all key agencies and service providers in the local community
- Empower customers to ensure they receive the service and benefits they are entitled to
- Undertake all administrative work and keep accurate and comprehensive tenant/customer records to professional standards
- Encourage and enable tenants to pay their rent and to ensure that rent accounts are managed effectively in conjunction with the Housing Management team
- Ensure that referrals are chased proactively so that properties which can be used to house those in need are filled as efficiently as possible
- Adhere to Look Ahead's Policies and Procedures
- Engage in learning and development activity to increase knowledge and skills
- Undertake any other duties consistent with the grade and nature of the post as may be reasonably assigned

This is not an exhaustive list of all the duties and responsibilities that may be required from time to time and is subject to change in accordance with the needs of Look Ahead

About you:

- Enjoys social interaction and the company of others, joins in local activities to encourage customer involvement
- Approachable and open behaviour
- Prefers working as part of a group or team
- Is fundamentally calm and resilient, does not let emotion adversely affect them or obscure their judgement
- Has a practical and logical mind and is naturally well organised
- Flexible
- Open to feedback and self development
- Thrives on change and enjoys dynamic diverse environments
- Is confident with high levels of self-esteem
- Is respectful, articulate and sensitive in style of communication
- Is essentially customer-focused
- Is motivated towards excellence and improvement of personal performance with a can do attitude
- Ability to cope positively with challenging and diverse behaviours

What you'll bring:

Essential:

- Up to NVQ Level 2/3 or equivalent or experience in the social care/charity sector

Desirable:

- Experience working in mental health

About us:

Look Ahead is a dynamic, leading, not-for-profit care and support provider in London and the South East. As an organisation we deliver over 110 services, providing support to around 7000 customers each year. We work across mental health, homelessness, young people and learning disabilities so there are plenty of opportunities to grow and progress your career with us.

Look Ahead is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and adults at risk, and expects all employees, workers and volunteers to share this commitment.

If your application for this role is unsuccessful, but we feel that you would be suitable for another role, we may contact you to discuss alternative opportunities. If this occurs you would not need to submit another application for the alternative role.

We reserve the right to close this advert early if we are able to appoint to the vacancy before the advertised closed date.

We are committed to diversity and inclusion at work and are accredited with Silver in the Inclusive Employers Standard 2021. We are a proud member of the Employers Domestic Abuse Covenant and encourage applications from a diverse range of applicants of all backgrounds.