Support Worker; Accommodation

BCHA is a South West based charitable housing association founded over 50 years ago. We have a continuing mission to meet housing need and end homelessness.

We aim to achieve this through the building and provision of affordable and secure homes, and by supporting individuals to take control and lead independent, fulfilled lives. Whether we are developing sites or supporting people with housing, learning or living skills, we believe in equality, the importance of every individual and the right to be valued and treated with dignity and respect.

Our doors are open to everyone.

BCHA offer competitive rates of pay and a full induction including a high level of tailored training in every aspect of the position to ensure that all staff are supported to provide the best quality of service.

BCHA have set up a new supported accommodation project in Yeovil, and are looking for Day Support Workers to join our small and supportive team. This is a role where you can genuinely make a real difference to the lives of people experiencing significant challenges, where you can add real value as part of a dedicated team of professionals. In this exciting new role you will work with customers to help them identify their personal goals, and the steps they can take to move towards achieving them.

A big part of this is supporting customers to maintain their tenancy and move onto more independent living. This will include practical support such as:

• paying rent and bills
• accessing other appointments to support wellbeing e.g. GP, SDAS, mental health
• maximising income through benefit claims
• seeking and applying for move on accommodation through the private rented sector or social housing (Homefinder)
• accessing social activities

Support provided is customer‑led support using person‑centred, trauma‑informed and psychologically informed approaches. You will act as a key Support Worker for a number of customers, carrying out regular one‑to‑one sessions, enabling positive, trusting and respectful relationships to be built and enable them to move forward to independent living.

No previous experience of working in homelessness is required. You will receive full training and induction and will be working alongside a colleague on every shift, there is no lone working.

• Opportunity to be part of a dynamic, supportive & inclusive team.
• Training in different areas such as domestic abuse, mental health, addiction, criminal justice.
• The opportunity to bring into awareness to promote positive changes to people’s lives.
• A rewarding, challenging and varied role.
• The opportunity to combine your people and organisational skills.
• The opportunity to learn about and use trauma‑informed approaches, supporting people to manage challenges around mental health, drugs and alcohol and maintaining accommodation.
• The opportunity to gain knowledge of safeguarding & liaise with external agencies.
• A role that gives you real job satisfaction in helping others.
• Full training and support to develop your skills.

The opportunity to work in a supportive and friendly environment.

Safeguarding children and adults is our first priority and we will ensure we follow safer recruitment procedures. As an employer, we will do everything possible to prevent unsuitable people obtaining employment with BCHA. Our overall aim is to ‘deter unsuitable applicants from applying for roles with children and adults, and we will ensure that all candidates are treated fairly, consistently and in compliance with current legislation.

BCHA is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of people, and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment.

• Be a good communicator and able to facilitate support for customers.
• Enable and empower customers to build their own recovery plans.
• Provide practical, emotional support and encouragement.
• Actively promote customer participation in services & activities.
• Liaise effectively with colleagues, external agencies & service providers.
• Be empathic and non‑judgemental.
• Be self‑motivated, able to use your initiative and be a great team player.
• Be flexible, adaptable, calm and considered.
• Have experience of our client groups, transferable skills or be willing to learn.