JOB DESCRIPTION

Position: Foyer Support Worker

Responsible to: Team Leader

Key Contacts: Foyer Support Workers & Housing and Support Manager

Salary: £ 7.50 p/hr (review pending)

Benefits: 2% employer’s contribution to a stakeholder pension

Holiday: 22 days per year PRO-RATA, plus statutories, after 3 months

Hours: 18+ hrs per week, to include evening and weekend shifts.

Additional hours, possibly at short notice.

Job Purpose

To maintain and further develop the day to day management, support and co-ordination of the young people’s housing at the Foyer.

To take an active role in the overall direction of the development of the Foyer, in conjunction with the Foyer Management Executive and the Foyers Partners’ Group, ensuring that it meets its objective of a good standard of accommodation for homeless or inappropriately housed young people from the Stroud area.

To offer a sensitive and professional housing and support service for residents and prospective residents of the project, from referral through to resettlement.

To liaise with, and maintain good relations with, the Foyers partners such as Knightstone Housing Association, Sarsen Ridgeway Housing Association and with Stroud District Council housing services department.

To implement a Support and Action Plan approach to the personal development of the Foyer Clients, and to work in conjunction with the Education & Training department to ensure all clients are engaged in meaningful activity.

Key Areas of Responsibility

To be implemented in arrangement with the Housing and Support Manager who has overall responsibility for the direction of the project.

During Evening and Weekend working monitor and respond appropiately to residents actions with regard to Health & Safety as well as their own and other residents welfare; where necessary call police,emergency or P.I.P. back-up service.

Housing Management

1. To interview applicants, and make recommendations and take up a case load of clients that you will support through regular support sessions.

2. To issue Licence and Tenancy agreements and help clients to maintain them working with the ‘Prevention From Eviction Protocol’ to encourage sustainment of tenancy and positive move on.

3. To support new residents taking up their accommodation by:

- Preparation of the accommodation,

- Arranging for replacing/ renewing defective items of furniture and equipment assisted by the Team Leader.

- Arranging for a current client to meet the potential client and induct them.

4. To operate appropriate systems for collecting rent and other resident payments, in addition to keeping appropriate records.

5. To take responsibility for the maintenance and security of the housing by reporting all repairs and maintenance matters, and ensuring that all resulting works are carried out satisfactorily. To keep the Team Leader informed of all maintenance reported and carried out.

6. To take responsibility for upholding and implementing all policies and procedures relating to the Foyer.

7. To keep appropriate records and to undertake other administrative duties as required including completion of all monitoring forms required by partner agencies, using electronic media as appropriate.

8. To take an active role in the development of the Foyer.

9. To keep the management informed of progress through regular written reports.

Support

12. To co-ordinate and provide a comprehensive service to residents on matters such as claiming benefits, budgeting, cooking, personal health care etc., including personal support, e.g. accessing counseling as needed and help residents gain access to community services as appropriate.

13. To encourage residents to seek help and guidance in their progression towards greater independence, life skills and the ability to live within a social framework as appropriate.

14. Through action planning, stimulate and support residents in obtaining and sustaining training or employment.

15. To keep and maintain accurate records in relation to client support, inclusive of support planning, needs and risk assessments, quarterly reviews, planning an exit strategy and all other aspects of the client file.

16. To apply and contribute to the Foyer’s Service User Involvement and Empowerment strategy, including attending and running client meetings, developing new innovative activities and encouraging participation in all aspects of our service.

17. To engage residents in self-help activities, leisure activities and encourage their integration within the community. This will involve weekend work, and possible outward bound activities.

18. To encourage local community interest in the project and to promote a positive image of the project.

19. To assess each resident for appropriate positive move-on accommodation, working with the most appropriate agencies to help the residents move on from the project.

General

20. To receive regular support from the Foyer Manager or identified other.

21. To identify own support needs.

22. To participate in training opportunities identified to meet the post holder’s individual training and professional development needs.

24. To perform all activities in a manner that does not put the health and safety of self and others at risk.

25. To carry out such other duties consistent with the above as may be required by the Management from time to time.