Location: Westminster, London

Contract: Fixed Term – 12 months

Salary: £35,561(scale points 19-22 on NJC scale range) inc. LW + pension and other benefits (pro.rata for part time)

Hours of work: 35 hours per week excluding breaks. You will be expected to work a flexible shift system that will involve working hours between Monday to Friday 8.00am until 5pm

Annual leave: Details of annual leave34 days per year including bank/statutory holidays

Closing date: Rolling

About the role

Working in a psychologically informed way, providing housing advocacy, accommodation and tenancy support solutions for clients based in temporary accommodation in Penn House. To ensure that individuals are linked in with specialist services for their drug, alcohol support needs and their physical and mental health. To work closely with teams across the borough of Westminster and within The Passage as appropriate.

Main duties

Carry out in-depth assessment of individuals’ housing and support needs and risk levels. Based on these assessments, and input from other teams, provide housing advice, risk assessments, accommodation referrals and resettlement support to people who are temporarily housed at this project.

Use knowledge of tenancy rights and responsibilities, support services, the benefits system, training & employment options and independent living skills to support residents in all aspects of resettlement, providing tenancy sustainment solutions that empower them to take control of their lives.

Maintain positive and effective working relationships with teams within the local authority and other accommodation providers, including private rented landlords, to ensure a seamless service is provided to the people we support.

Be responsible for developing and implementing a range of group activities including resident forums, life skills education and pre-tenancy workshops.

Use skills in key working with individuals with both mental health and substances issues to provide support through the appropriate pathways, or to support clients on their journey until they become ready to access relevant services.

Keep well informed of changes and developments to relevant housing legislation and benefit systems to provide clients with accurate and appropriate advice.

Working in a psychologically informed way, agree a support plan with every person we are working with and ensure this is regularly reviewed and monitored.

Engage with other teams within The Passage and externally to ensure that a holistic support service is delivered to all individuals we support. Engage in multi-disciplinary team meetings to review cases and to update support plans.

Undertake health and safety checks of the building and report issues to the landlord and the Project Manager.

Be responsible for recording resident information on the Passage Inform Database in accordance with GDPR regulations.

General responsibilities

In conjunction with your Line Manager to continuously develop the role to ensure that all tasks are being undertaken in an effective and appropriate manner which meets the strategic aims and objectives of The Passage.

To participate in internal/external meetings as required, and attend training events, conferences and other functions as necessary.

To participate in regular supervision and help in identifying your own job-related development and training needs.

To ensure that all The Passage policies and procedures are being adhered to.

Keep and maintain accurate casework records on the Passage Inform database working within relevant legislation and Passage policies and procedures.

To contribute to the effective implementation of The Passage’s Diversity and Equality Policy as it affects both The Passage and its work with vulnerable adults.

To at all times undertake your role in a professional manner maintaining a high-quality standard of work, and to always work in accordance with the aims, values and ethos of The Passage¹.

Undertake any other duties that may be required which are commensurate with the role.

Desired Experience

This person specification sets out the essential abilities and qualities which are used in the selection criteria for the post. When completing your supporting statement please address criteria E1 to E6 and K1 to K5 demonstrating your understanding and knowledge, and give evidence of your experience and abilities.

E1 – Experience of housing advocacy work on behalf of homeless and vulnerably housed individuals.

E2 – Experience of working collaboratively with voluntary, statutory and private sector agencies.

E3 – Experience of working with individuals with complex and challenging health issues.

E4 – Experience of assessing resident needs and delivering psychologically informed interventions to ensure resident needs are identified and met.

E5 – Experience of working within a team to achieve strong and effective relationships with others to achieve organisational aims and objectives.

E6 – Experience of developing and delivering group work for individuals.

Above all we are looking for inspiring and committed individuals who have a genuine desire to support people, and to help them to rebuild their lives.

Desired Knowledge

K1 – An awareness of the issues that face street homeless and vulnerable people.

K2 – A working knowledge of the main housing legislation, homelessness reduction act, and housing options (including the private rented sector) relating to homeless and vulnerably housed people.

K3 – Knowledge and understanding the issues facing people through the resettlement and tenancy sustainment process.

K4 – Knowledge of the skills and attitudes needed to support people within a psychologically informed framework.

K5 – In depth knowledge of the benefits system. As a Vincentian organisation, The Passage strives to be inclusive; encompassing a diverse and rich culture from within our members, clients, volunteers and staff. This approach is reflected in our core values and it is important that all staff have respect for this.

Application form

If you would like to find out more about the career opportunities at The Passage, or discuss any disability access requirements you may have, please feel free to get in touch for an informal chat on 020 7592 1885.

Alternatively, you can contact us via email.

All applicants must read the full job description before applying:

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Specialist Project Worker – Penn House