Job Description Job Title: Project Worker – Montfort House Tenure: 1 year fixed term contract Salary: £24,936 pa inc LW + pension and other benefits - Scale Range 24 to 26 Hours: 35 hours per week You will be required to work a shift pattern 7 days a week, covering the hours 8am – 8pm Monday to Friday and flexible 7 hour shifts Saturday and Sunday. The usual week will entail two / three late (up until 8pm) shifts. There will also be occasions where you will participate in doing street outreach shifts in order to make contact with potential rough sleepers identified as suitable for the project. Annual Leave 33 days including Bank and Statutory holidays Probationary Period: 6 months Notice Period: 4 weeks Responsible to: Montfort House Project Manager

An enhanced DBS check is required for this post as the post holder will be directly working with vulnerable adults. ______

About Montfort House Montfort House is part of the Passage, which is a Vincentian organisation whose mission is to encourage, inspire and challenge homeless people to transform their lives. Montfort House is a 16 bed supported housing project for homeless men, women and couples. Priority is given to the most vulnerable rough sleeper’s especially RS205 referrals as well as couples & other individuals with complex needs. Our aim is offer hard to reach clients an opportunity to move away from the streets by moving to a safe & relaxed environment offering at times and where appropriate a “hands off” approach to allow individuals to settle & gain confidence. Once settled we will provide creative & dynamic approaches to support people to move forward in their lives. Montfort House is all about taking risks and allowing individuals opportunities. We pride ourselves on thinking outside of the box and have “have torn up the rule book” in relation to supporting clients. This post will develop strong links with our street link team in order to facilitate referrals of clients directly from the street. Montfort House has scored an A rating after the last Supporting People Q.A.F. inspection. This was in recognition of our creative, flexible and personalised service and the real opportunities we offer our residents to make positive changes and move forward with their lives. Over the past 2 years we have developed a range of bespoke policies designed to address the needs of our entrenched client group and support them in maintaining their licences. We work in a personalised way and treat each client as an individual. This project is staffed 7 days per week between the hours of 8.00am and 8.00pm by a team of 3 experienced project workers. It is staffed by concierge/security outside of support hours. Job Purpose  To provide excellence on all areas of service delivery to the tenants of Montfort House, and to promote and implement the Places of Change ethos within the project.  To ensure that tenants have individualised support packages via needs assessment, individualised support plans and key working processes which are responsive to the needs of each tenant.  To develop the service provided at Montfort House as and when the needs of the tenants change and to ensure adherence to best practice in the sector and contractual requirements from our funders

Specific Duties 1. Main Tasks 1.1 To be responsible for welcoming and receiving clients referred to Montfort House, carrying out an assessment in order to make the initial decision to offer a formal licence agreement and contract. 1.2 To produce an initial ‘Support Plan’ and risk assessment for clients, ensuring that the key elements of support and resettlement are detailed and explained to new clients during induction to the project. 1.3 To engage with nominated clients using a defined ‘key working’ process in order to ensure that the core elements of support, resettlement and accommodation are progressed in line with the agreed targets where appropriate. 1.4 Acting as an advocate, accompany individuals, when appropriate, to external appointments. 1.5 To be responsible for mediation support to Montfort House clients. Liaising and negotiating on behalf of Montfort House clients with social services, local authorities and next of kin as appropriate. 1.6 To liaise with the Passage Day Centre, Passage House and outside agencies and service providers, including advice projects & accommodation projects, employment & training centres and the emergency services. 1.7 To be responsible for the delivery of life skills training, ensuring that Montfort House clients are given training and advice on subjects such as: . Personal budget management. . Healthy eating. . Anger management. . Living with others. . Citizenship, rights and responsibilities. 1.8 To liaise with the Passage Day Centre, Passage House and outside agencies and service providers, including advice projects & accommodation projects, employment & training centres and the emergency services. 1.9 To ensure that Montfort House clients have a complete understanding of and access to the complaints and feedback procedures; to make sure that complaints are recorded and responded to appropriately. 1.10 To facilitate resident meetings, ensuring that notes are taken and circulated in conjunction with the team leader. 1.11 To ensure that user involvement within the project is developed and supported and that clients are given the opportunity to engage in a range of meaningful activities. 1.12 To deal effectively and professionally with situations of conflict and/or crisis, but at all times to work to eliminate factors which may give rise to such situations. 1.13 Ensuring Safeguarding procedures are followed and managed appropriately, reporting any relevant issues in accordance with project procedures in a timely manner

2. Administration 2.1 Abiding by all Montfort House administration policies and procedures, to maintain clear, accurate and up-to-date reports/records, both manual and computerised, of all financial activity and in-house administration. 2.2 To ensure that Montfort House clients have made housing benefit and other relevant claims and copies are retained on file. 2.3 To keep accurate, up-to-date files pertaining to the clients’ financial relationship with Montfort House. 2.4 To write letters of referral, introduction and other correspondence on behalf of Montfort House clients. 2.5 To understand the need for being and to be self-servicing administratively, in all aspects of the delivery of services to Montfort House clients.

3. Team Work 3.1. To work effectively and co-operatively with paid and volunteer staff at the project, to maintain good working relations with the Passage Day Centre, Passage House and Passage Central Office colleagues and all external agencies.

3.2. To attend and participate actively in supervision meetings, team meetings, training and other internal/external events that inform the work of the Passage and Montfort House as required. To present to the team papers, statistics and other information as and when appropriate. 3.3. To maintain knowledge and understanding of the Passage’s work, for example by regularly visiting other projects. 3.4. To assist in developing, implementing, monitoring and reviewing appropriate procedures and practice for working with Passage and Montfort House clients.

4. Locum, Temporary and Volunteer Staff 4.1 To participate in the induction and training of locum, temporary and volunteer staff. To participate in the recruitment, induction, training and supervision of volunteers, attending volunteer events as appropriate.

5. General Responsibilities 5.1 To ensure that statutory regulations, Passage and Montfort House policies relating to working with the organisation and colleagues are implemented, including: . Passage Code of Conduct and observing professional practice and boundaries. . Project-specific policies and procedures. . Current Passage strategic plans. 5.2 To work with colleagues in the preparation of reports, statistics and papers, and be involved in the cyclical planning of the service delivery and performance monitoring of activity. 5.3 To ensure that the Passage is represented in an appropriate and professional manner at all times. 5.4 To ensure that all Passage policies and procedures are being adhered to, particularly those relating to Health and Safety, Code of Practice and Confidentiality. 5.5 To work closely with other day centre and other Passage services, to ensure a consistent and effective service across the organisation.

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

5.7 To at all times undertake the 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 5.8 To work in a professional manner, maintaining a flexible attitude towards short notice rota changes to facilitate primary service cover, e.g. during training and staff illness.

Note: The details contained in this Job Description summarise the main expectations of the role at the date it was prepared. It should be understood that the nature of individual roles will evolve and change as service, service users and commissioner needs change. Consequently The Passage will review and revise this Job Description as required in consultation with post holder.

1 Vincentian Ethos

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. Information on our Vincentian Ethos and Values can be found at passage.org.uk/about/vincentian-ethos/ Disclosure and Barring Service – Disclosure The Passage aims to promote equality of opportunity for all with the right mix of talent, skills and potential. The Passage welcomes applications from diverse candidates. Criminal records will be taken into account for requirement purposes only when the conviction is relevant. As The Passage meets the requirements in respect of exempted questions under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974, all applicants who are offered employment will be subject to a criminal record check from the Criminal Records Bureau before the appointment is confirmed. This will include details of cautions, reprimands or final warnings, as well as convictions. Passage Policies The post holder must work within The Passage policies and procedures. Equal Opportunities The Passage is committed to working towards an equal opportunities policy. We therefore, aim to treat all who come to the Passage with respect, regardless of race, colour, gender, sexual orientation, age, religion, social status or disability. Thus, employees must at all times carry out his/her responsibilities with due regard to the Passage’s Equality and Diversity Policy. Confidentiality The post holder must maintain confidentiality in accordance with the policy as set out in the confidentiality policy, which protects the clients at The Passage and those who use other Passage services. Data Protection If required to do so the post-holder should obtain, process and /or use information held on a computer or word processor or paper medium in a fair and lawful way. Employees must only hold data for the specific registered purpose and use or disclose date only to authorised persons or organisations as instructed. Health & Safety All staff must be aware of the responsibilities placed on them by the Health & Safety at Work Act (1974) to ensure that the agreed safety procedures are carried out to maintain a safe condition for employees, residents and visitors. Person Specification: Project Worker - Montfort House ______The person specification sets out the essential abilities and qualities that will be used in the selection criteria for this post. When completing your application form, please demonstrate your understanding and experience of all the points, addressing each point in the order in which they are set out below, and give evidence of your experience and abilities. ______

1. Experience: Essential 1.1. Experience of delivering support services to socially excluded clients in a residential or similar setting. 1.2 Experience of working within a team and achieving strong and effective relationships with others in order to achieve organisational aims and objectives 1.3 Experience of case management to ensure suitable interventions are in place to ensure client’s needs are identified and met. 1.4 Experience of joint working esp. in relation to case conferences and a multi agency approach to supporting vulnerable clients Desirable 1.5 Experience of working with clients who are dealing with Personality Disorder or Mental Health issues.

2. Knowledge and Understanding 2.1 Knowledge of homelessness, understanding of the varied needs of homeless people and those at acute risk of homelessness. 2.2 Knowledge of Health and Safety, and the implications of this in the working environment 2.3 Knowledge of requirements of Supporting People and the Places of Change philosophy and working practices within a residential setting. 2.4 An understanding of the range of approaches and methods appropriate for working with a difficult to engage or chaotic client group and a willingness to ‘think outside the box’ in order to support clients to meet their needs and aspirations 2.5 An understanding and experience of working with people from different cultural backgrounds. 2.6 Knowledge and understanding of safeguarding procedures

3. Skills and Abilities 3.1 Ability to maintain clear professional boundaries and offer appropriate levels of support while working with a vulnerable, disadvantaged or excluded client group. 3.2 Ability to work on own initiative and deal appropriately and effectively with difficult/crisis situations, ensuring that a professional approach is maintained. 3.3 Ability to complete a client’s assessment, prepare and monitor progression against a client’s support plan 3.4 Ability to manage a large and complex workload and ability to prioritise work appropriately. 3.5 Ability to liaise with local authorities, social services, next of kin, emergency services and other service providers to achieve successful outcomes. 3.6. Ability to communicate in an effective way, verbally and in writing, using appropriate IT packages.

4. Other 4.1 To be able to carry out the post with or without adaptations. 4.2 Knowledge of and commitment to homelessness issues. 4.3 Demonstrate a commitment to the Passage’s aims and objectives. 4.4 Demonstrate a commitment to communicate the Passage’s mission which is to encourage, inspire and challenge homeless people to transform their lives. 4.5 A respect for the ethos of The Passage (as set out in the Ethos Statement). 4.6 To be able to work a shift pattern over 7 days a week working from 8.00am to 8pm & 1 weekend in 3.