Job Description

Job purpose:

Leading and coordinating the support for allocated clients. Assist with all aspects of the project when on shift, including responding to emerging issues from all clients, contributing to their ongoing support and dealing with incidents. Providing practical and personal support to clients in a way that is approachable, engaging, flexible and caring. To assess the needs of these clients paying particular attention to their mental health and substance misuse issues. To design and develop new approaches to working with the client group which, through using analytical and creative thinking, helps to assist the client. Working together with clients to identify their personal aims and ambitions, and support them to make and carry out plans towards achieving them. Ensuring the client can identify and access relevant services. Liaising with other statutory and voluntary agencies to ensure the appropriate support for clients. Working as part of a team responsible for the day to day management of the day centre & accommodation, and alongside clients, to provide a high quality, positive and safe place to stay. Undertaking a range of procedural and administrative tasks relating to client work, housing management and health and safety, in line with YMCA Lincolnshire's policies and procedures, and in compliance with legal requirements.

Main duties and responsibilities:

Assessment and Case Work

To make contact with the identified client group through both outreach work and direct referrals including self-referrals. To undertake joint assessments with other team members and other agencies where appropriate. Provide high-quality support and advice to clients that focuses on their strengths and goals, and is delivered in a way that suits them and within a framework of active engagement and positive person centred planning. To conduct desktop and formal face to face interviews with clients. To induct new clients in line with the project's policy

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To advise clients on information for housing benefits &welfare benefits as appropriate. To educate the client in the benefits system (JSA, Income Support, Housing Benefit) which maximises the client's access to benefits. Organise and undertake formal and informal key working activities in a way that effectively encourages engagement, and promotes opportunities for ongoing support for clients. To work with clients in producing person centred support plans, ensuring that case reviews are carried out and that support plans are implemented and adequate case records are maintained. To facilitate the provision of advice and assist clients to access appropriate services, supporting them whilst they are waiting for these other services to 'kick in'. To advocate where appropriate on behalf of clients in respect of housing services, primary healthcare, benefits and other agencies. To liaise with service providers including primary healthcare, mental health services and Addaction. To assess factors which could impact on the safety of clients or others, and to develop a management plan with the client and other services delivering relevant support. To identify and work with a range of agencies to ensure all clients have access to relevant services including both statutory and non-statutory support and community resources. To work with enforcement agencies such as the Police and local authority civil enforcement teams and be able to speak to advocate on the benefits of joint working To accompany clients to visits and other services where appropriate. To update client database with all relevant information. To complete onward referrals to identified move-on and support clients to prepare effectively for move on. To support and encourage clients to undertake housekeeping and cleaning duties as necessary in order to maintain a clean and safe physical environment. Develop and implement opportunities for individuals and groups of clients to help them build and engage in their community (both within the service and in the wider YMCA Lincolnshire sphere). Plan and co-ordinate events and workshops with a focus on engaging those who are hardest to reach in the community To participate effectively in the service's relationship building with neighbours and stakeholders. To observe the requirements of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, the Mental Health act 1983 and the Children's Act. To comply with the Data Protection Act 1984, Access to Medical Records Act 1990 and the Human Rights Act 1998.

Cover for Reception / Duty Worker role

Provide a welcoming, accessible reception service for clients and other callers. As part of this covering a range of reception tasks, including dealing with phones, post and all other reception enquiries. To deal with the immediate support needs of clients as appropriate, providing crisis intervention where necessary. To support colleagues in diffusing difficult or dangerous situations and to summon outside assistance when necessary. To challenge disruptive or unacceptable behaviour in a sympathetic and assertive way, balancing the needs of the individual with responsibilities for the safety of the service To issue behaviour warnings and exclusions notices in line with YMCA Lincolnshire's policy

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Housing management, financial and administrative duties

To ensure that the Nomad Centre runs in line with the project's policy and organisational values To keep accurate daily records of petty cash, service charges and other project monies. To maintain a high standard of record keeping and keep all financial and administrative systems up-to-date and in line with policy. To ensure that all written work both for internal and external use is of a high standard. To carry out premises inspections, and health and safety inspections and tests

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ensuring prompt and accurate record keeping and appropriate follow up of issues. Assist team members in clearing rooms and maintaining the cleanliness of the centre To respond promptly to reports of maintenance problems, ensuring follow up as appropriate, and in line with YMCA Lincolnshire policies.

General

To keep abreast of current housing legislation, welfare benefit legislation and other matters relevant to successful support and resettlement of clients. To represent TMCA Lincolnshire and the Nomad Project externally at meetings, open days and events, as requested. To adhere to YMCA Lincolnshire Policies and Procedures at all times. To cover for other members of the team and Housing division as necessary. Be proactive in reviewing and evaluating own performance and identifying and acting upon areas for improvement and development. Undertaking, as required, any other duties compatible with the level and nature of the post and/or reasonably required by more senior members of staff. To attend shift handover meetings, weekly Team Meetings, team review days and other meetings as agreed with the Centre To work on a shift rota in line with local and YMCA working practice

General responsibilities of all staff:

Safeguarding

YMCA Lincolnshire is committed to the principles and practices of safeguarding. We believe safeguarding has paramount importance, and everyone in the Association shares an objective to help keep young people and vulnerable adults safe. Each staff member is required to take personal responsibility for ensuring the safeguarding of others and maintaining own knowledge and understanding through continued familiarity with YMCA Lincolnshire policies and guidance, promoting safe practice and reporting any concerns

Equality & Diversity

YMCA Lincolnshire is committed to upholding the values that underpin current equality and diversity legislation. We recognise the importance of equality and diversity being an integral part of our work, to promote equality and prevent unlawful direct or indirect discrimination. Each staff member is required to take personal responsibility for ensuring equality and diversity is recognised and promoted in all aspects of the role, maintaining own knowledge and understanding through continued familiarity with Association policies and guidance

Health & Safety

YMCA Lincolnshire is committed to the health, safety and welfare of our residents, service users, employees, and all visiting stakeholders. Each staff member is required to ensure that they and others take notice of and operate within Association Health and Safety guidelines.

Note: This job description covers the main, current duties and responsibilities of the job; however, it is subject to review and amendment in the light of developing or changing organisational needs. Other activities commensurate with this may from time to time be undertaken by the Job Holder.

(YMCA Lincolnshire reserves the right to close the vacancy early should a minimum number of applications be received / a suitable candidate is appointed)

YMCA Lincolnshire is committed to creating a diverse environment. Our customers come from all walks of life and so do we. We recruit great people from a wide variety of backgrounds, not just because it's the right thing to do, but because it makes us stronger. If you share our values and our enthusiasm, you will find a home at YMCA Lincolnshire. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, disability or age.

Charity No: 243017

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: 12.36 per hour

Benefits:

Company pension Free parking On-site parking Sick pay
Work Location: In person

Reference ID: case-worker