Support Worker - Homelessness

Location: Kensington

Central Recruitment is currently working with a London-based charity that is dedicated to creating positive change by providing support to individuals on their journey towards independence.

Out client is currently recruiting two Support Workers to work at a 24-bed service in the Kensington & Chelsea area. The service provides support for single homeless young people aged 16 - 24 with medium to high support needs.

* 37.5 hours per week

* Working across Monday - Sunday on a rota basis

* 07:00 - 15:00 and 15:00 - 22:00

* Temporary: approx. 2 months, with the possibility of extension

 * £16.90 per hour (£15.08 per hour, with £1.82 holiday pay)

This is a fantastic opportunity to provide key support young people experiencing homelessness.

Key responsibilities:

* Hold a caseload of up to 6 key clients and conduct regular key working sessions resulting in agreed Support Plans

* Undertake risk assessments for each customer and review them regularly

* Establish supportive and professional relationships with customers and deal effectively with unpredictable and challenging situations in a professional and sensitive manner

* Ensure customers are supported to achieve independent living through proactive support and building positive links with relevant agencies

* Liaise with external partners, including accessing appropriate statutory and voluntary services

* Ensure fair access through interviewing and assessing the suitability of referrals, based on the criteria of the project

* Ensure all voids are advertised and lettings made promptly

* Support customers to pay their rent, including providing advice on benefits and debt management

* Support and advise customers on any matters relating to their occupancy agreements

* Support colleagues to remove items and make rooms ready for new occupants, where required

* Carry out regular Health and Safety inspections, taking immediate action to remedy health and safety defects and alerting the appropriate people in line with Health and Safety Policies

* Keep accurate records, including logbooks, service user files, monitoring information etc.

What we’re looking for:

* Experience working with young people with mental health needs

* An understanding of the reasons why people become homeless, the needs and challenges they face and of statutory and voluntary resources available to homeless people

* Experience holding a caseload, key working and supporting customer to identify their strengths and goals through our asset-based approach to support, using psychologically and trauma informal techniques

* Knowledge of safeguarding issues and how they apply in day-to-day work

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 £60)

* 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