Support Worker/Driver

We're looking for 2x kind, compassionate and resilient Support Workers to join our Homelessness service in Westminster.

There are 2 roles available for this post.

£24,856.00 per annum, working 40 hours per week. Benefits include 25 days Annual Leave, pension schemes, staff discounts, healthcare and career progression.

The service offers specialist support to homeless men across a range of areas including re-offending behaviour, mental health issues, physical health needs and substance misuse. Edward Alsop Court implements and promotes the Psychologically Informed Environment (PIE) model. This is an approach to supporting people out of homelessness, those who have experienced complex trauma or are diagnosed with a personality disorder. It also considers the psychological needs of staff: developing skills and knowledge, increasing motivation, job satisfaction and resilience.

Staff receive monthly reflective practice and debriefs after any serious incidents.

We have an on-site Psychologist 2 days per week, An on-site Social Worker 1.5 days per week and a Nurses Clinic on-site 4 days per week. With a GP clinic once a week in the service.

We also have external support from Turning Point and CGL to support our customers with their substance misuse.

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

What you'll do:

To enable vulnerable people living in a variety of different tenures to manage their tenancies / licences and move towards greater independence within the community by providing a flexible and individually tailored support package.

As a Support Worker you will provide support to customers to help them develop the life skills, they require to meet the assessed needs of the customers in the service. In some services, this will include providing physical, domestic, emotional, and social care. You will work with customers to promote social inclusion and alongside other members of the team to promote independent living, encouraging customers to maximise their skills and choices.

Support Workers will have a caseload of customers, for which they are responsible.

Shift patterns are as follows:

Shift patterns combined of early (7am-3pm) and late (1pm-9pm).

7 week rolling rota.

Possibility of working during the weekend.

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
Engage in learning and development activity to increase knowledge and skills
Provide day-to-day instruction/supervision of Assistant Support Workers/domestic staff/Personal Support Assistants where appropriate
Undertake any other duties consistent with the grade and nature of the post as may be reasonably assigned
What you'll bring:

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
Thrives on change and enjoys dynamic diverse environments
Is motivated towards excellence and improvement of personal performance with a can-do attitude
Ability to cope positively with challenging and diverse behaviours
Typical qualifications from none to NVQ Level 2/3 or equivalent or experience in the social care/charity sector.

May have little or no previous relevant sector work experience. Look Ahead values experience of applicants who have used our services or those like Look Ahead services

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.