Young Person S Casual Support Worker Crisis Support Scheme

Dewis Job Description Young Person’s Casual Support Worker – Crisis Support Scheme

Grade: £9.24 per hour Hours : Casual Worker ad hoc Holiday entitlement : 27 days plus bank holidays per annum pro rata Probationary period : 6 months Period of Contract : Casual Worker Period of Notice : 1 week during probationary period, 1 month thereafter. Office Base : Crisis Support Scheme Port Talbot Accountable to: Senior Inclusion Officer

Background

Dewis provides a range of integrated, outcome-focused services to young people aged between 16 and 25 who are homeless, threatened with homelessness or leaving the care of the local authority. Dewis work with young people holistically to ensure that we:-

- Respect, Promote and Encourage - Include, Consult and Support - Empower, Listen and Learn

Objectives of the Post

As a Young Person’s Support Worker, you will be working with the Crisis Support Team to provide cover at our Crisis Support Scheme (CSS) on an ad hoc basis. The role will focus on providing support, guidance and help with independent living skills ensuring young people have a safe and secure environment whilst they are temporarily accommodated at our scheme. The role will focus on developing strong, trusting relationships with young people focusing on their assessment and development of independent living skills, tenancy management, promoting participation within the service and community engagement. As a Support Worker, you will be required to comply with and maintain all necessary administrative and recording systems in the agreed format.

Performance Measures

The Young Person’s Support Worker will deliver outcomes for young people in four key areas:

KPA1 – Contributes to Assessment, Planning and Review Processes

i) Ensures smooth handover and exchange of information with Crisis Support Team staff and Managers. ii) Where appropriate, accepts young people into our CSS emergency accommodation and undertakes initial assessment, risk assessment and housing benefit application forms. iii) Keeps accurate case notes and records of support. iv) Engages young people and encourages participation at all level. v) Accompanies young people on visits where/when appropriate. vi) Liaises with other agencies, including participation in joint meetings and case reviews. vii)Adopts a reflective approach to practice, demonstrating changing support methods to best suit individual support needs. viii) Develops services users as citizens and supports access opportunities such as employment, volunteering. ix) Work in a solution-focused way, to improve services for young people.

KPA 2 – Facilitates Positive Lifestyle Choices

i) Understands Risk Assessment and Risk Management, implementing sound strategies to minimise risks and support managed risk, as well as review and follow up on preventative actions. ii) Acts as an advocate for young people, negotiating solutions that meet the needs of the individuals as well as those of stakeholders. iii) Enables young people to undertake managed risk, balanced with understanding the consequences of negative decisions and choices. iv) Supports young people to manage and control their finances, and understand their tenancy responsibilities v) Promotes emotional well-being and physical health as a core element of support.

KPA 3 – Team Player

i) Seeks advice, support and guidance from Crisis Support staff and Managers as necessary to deliver the appropriate services. ii) Supports colleagues in practice matters and receives criticism constructively. iii) Deals with queries and requests from service users, management and stakeholders in a timely manner and/or in line with agreed timescales. iv) Acts as a strong advocate for Dewis acting professionally, supporting PR and marketing functions, contributing the development of services to young people. v) Prepares effectively for and attends supervision, appraisal and team meetings, contributes fully to meetings both internally and with stakeholders. vi) Demonstrates commitment and reliability through good timekeeping, attendance and maintaining systems relating to personal movements and appointments.

KPA 4 – Safe Practitioner

i) Provides support to ensure all service users are supported by correct procedural guidelines (e.g. POVA), risk assessment and support planning. ii) Services are provided within a clear H&S Framework and that organisational policies are adhered to and implemented accordingly in day-to-day practice. iii) Understands and demonstrates in practice a commitment to whistleblow against any inappropriate practice or abuse. iv) Contributes to effective housing management, working closely with young people and reports any areas of concern directly to managers. Works independently to ensure accommodation is safe, secure and maintained to appropriate standard. v) Staff work within, and understand, professional boundaries in working with vulnerable young people.

General Organisational Responsibilities

1. To be a flexible employee and undertake any work deemed reasonable by line management and/or the Director. 2. Participate, prepare and actively contribute to regular supervision and annual appraisal. 3. Undertake appropriate training to develop knowledge and skills as agreed with the line management and/or the Director. 4. Ensure that organisational and service user’s confidentiality is maintained at all times, and to disclose malpractice, abuse of systems, fraud or POVA issues. 5. Maintain a high standard of professionalism in all aspects of personal conduct and service provision. 6. It is essential that the post holder is a car owner and driver for which a mileage allowance is paid.

The above is an outline description of the job as it currently exists. The job description will be examined periodically and updated to ensure that it relates to the job being performed, or to incorporate whatever changes are proposed by the organisation. Any such changes will be subject to consultation with the post-holder. It will be the organisations aim to reach agreement to reasonable change but, if agreement is not possible the organisation reserves the right to insist on changes, following consultation.

Dewis is a registered charity and company limited by guarantee

All offers of employment are subject to:

 Two satisfactory references, one of which must be last most recent employer.  Satisfactory Enhanced Disclosure from the Disclosure Barring Service  6 month Probationary Period