Support Worker - Homelessness in Kensington and Chelsea

Central Recruitment is currently working with a London-based charity that is dedicated to creating positive change by providing support to individuals on their journey towards independence.

Out client is currently recruiting two Support Workers to work at a 24-bed service in the Kensington & Chelsea area. The service provides support for single homeless young people aged 16 - 24 with medium to high support needs.

• 37.5 hours per week
• Working across Monday - Sunday on a rota basis
• 07:00 - 15:00 and 15:00 - 22:00
• Temporary: approx. 2 months, with the possibility of extension
• £16.90 per hour (£15.08 per hour, with £1.82 holiday pay)

This is a fantastic opportunity to provide key support young people experiencing homelessness.

Key responsibilities:

• Hold a caseload of up to 6 key clients and conduct regular key working sessions resulting in agreed Support Plans
• Undertake risk assessments for each customer and review them regularly
• Establish supportive and professional relationships with customers and deal effectively with unpredictable and challenging situations in a professional and sensitive manner
• Ensure customers are supported to achieve independent living through proactive support and building positive links with relevant agencies
• Liaise with external partners, including accessing appropriate statutory and voluntary services
• Ensure fair access through interviewing and assessing the suitability of referrals, based on the criteria of the project
• Ensure all voids are advertised and lettings made promptly
• Support customers to pay their rent, including providing advice on benefits and debt management
• Support and advise customers on any matters relating to their occupancy agreements
• Support colleagues to remove items and make rooms ready for new occupants, where required
• Carry out regular Health and Safety inspections, taking immediate action to remedy health and safety defects and alerting the appropriate people in line with Health and Safety Policies
• Keep accurate records, including logbooks, service user files, monitoring information etc.

What we’re looking for:

• Experience working with young people with mental health needs
• An understanding of the reasons why people become homeless, the needs and challenges they face and of statutory and voluntary resources available to homeless people
• Experience holding a caseload, key working and supporting customer to identify their strengths and goals through our asset-based approach to support, using psychologically and trauma informal techniques
• Knowledge of safeguarding issues and how they apply in day-to-day work

Further requirements:

In order to register with Central Recruitment Services for temporary agency work, candidates must meet the following criteria:

• Current valid right to work in the UK
• Minimum 12 months’ of paid experience in a front line social care role within the last 3 years* (unless recruitment criteria states otherwise)
• A fully enhanced DBS either registered on the DBS update service or issued within the last 12 months, or willingness to apply for one through Central (at a cost of £60)
• Employment or education history to cover the last 5 years which can be verified through the referencing process

How to apply:

If you feel that you fully meet the above outlined criteria for this role and would like apply for this post, please forward your CV for consideration.

*Please note the outlined experience is the 'minimum' first stage criteria, and we will therefore be unable to consider your application unless you are able to demonstrate a relevant work history in line with this position.