Support Worker

Who we are

Wycombe Homeless Connection is a Christian-led charity based in south Buckinghamshire that works to end homelessness in our community.

IMPORTANT: Because of the context of the role, there is an occupational requirement that the post-holder be a Christian. This is in line with Schedule 9 of the Equality Act 2010.

We make a difference to the lives of local people, stopping homelessness before it starts through our innovative homelessness prevention programmes and reducing the harm homelessness can do with our frontline support and health projects.

Our vision is that south Buckinghamshire is transformed into a place where no one loses their home and that there is suitable housing and housing security for all.

Job description

About the role

As a Support Worker you’ll play a key role in the charity’s mission, putting your skills to use in a meaningful way so we can tackle homelessness in Wycombe and across the South of Buckinghamshire.

You will work within the support team to provide a range of support activities and advice services to people who are sleeping rough or experiencing other forms of homelessness. You will have a specific focus on staffing our homelessness helpline and support centre serving people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.

You will also provide support and guidance to clients who are rough sleeping or in emergency and temporary accommodation, helping them find suitable and sustainable homes.

In accordance with Schedule 9 of the Equality Act 2010, there is an Occupational Requirement for the successful candidate to be a Christian*. See our document ‘Christian context for working with Wycombe Homeless Connection’ for further details.

Main responsibilities

• Deliver high quality support and guidance to clients calling the WHC homelessness helpline, attending our drop-in sessions, contacted through our outreach services or contacting us in any way.
• Work with clients to identify their housing issues, give advice and support them in addressing these issues.
• Make appropriate referrals to agencies regarding accommodation and specialist support.
• Assist in providing broader homelessness prevention services including giving advice, support, advocacy, making homeless applications and contributing to eviction prevention work as assigned from time to time.
• Participate in the Rough Sleeper Core Group (or its equivalent), a multi-agency group that tackles rough sleeping in our operational area.

You will provide support and advice to people who are sleeping rough or living in emergency accommodation

• Work to maintain expertise in regard to what accommodation options are available and ensure clients understand their rights and options.
• Work alongside partners and key stakeholders to ensure clients are receiving the necessary support so that they can apply for housing and sustain their tenancies.
• Direct people to whatever statutory benefits and support they may be entitled to.
• Help clients identify and apply for housing that is suitable for them in their specific situation.

General responsibilities

• Work co-operatively and effectively with volunteers who help WHC deliver our work.
• Keep accurate and useful records of work undertaken.
• Work proactively and follow operational procedures and protocols.
• Ensure that every communication and interaction with stakeholders is professional, of a high standard and reflects well on our reputation.
• Attend training as required by the services manager.
• Participate in meetings, in some cases representing the charity, as agreed with the services manager.
• Attend regular team meetings.
• Work closely with partner agencies to optimise all our services.
• Speak occasionally on the radio, at churches, schools and the like as part of WHC’s speaker panel to inspire support and volunteering.
• Undertake any other relevant duties as required.

About you

Training and development support will be given however this role would suit a candidate with support work skills and experience.

To flourish in this role you’ll need:

• Beneficial but by no means essential: A relevant degree (or equivalent), the Chartered Institute of Housing Level 3 certificate in Supporting Homeless People, or a qualification in social care, housing or advocacy.
• Possession of a UK driving license and access to a car will be essential in this role.
• Experience of providing face-to-face support to people in areas such as advice and advocacy. Experience in working in close partnership with agencies, organisations and individuals will be beneficial.
• Confidence and experience in using online systems, databases and Microsoft Office packages. Experience of client management database tools.
• Understanding of data protection and privacy principles is desirable.
• A caring, empathetic outlook with the ability to challenge and empower individuals to take control of their own situations.
• Be self-motivated with the ability to show initiative and resourcefulness and the ability to innovate and problem-solve and the ability to proactively pursue cases to their conclusion.
• Have excellent time management skills and the ability to manage multiple cases simultaneously.

We will need you to:

• Be committed to the Christian faith. There is an occupational requirement for the post-holder to be a practising Christian as you’ll represent us to the public, the people we work with and supporters. You may pray with and for others, and take part in or lead Christian worship.
• Enjoy working both independently and as part of multiple teams and be a team player. You’ll have the ability and desire to get on well with your colleagues and our volunteers, recognising the benefits of collaboration and cooperation.
• Be a great communicator, both written and verbal especially when it comes to working in a team and with clients who will have a range of needs.
• Manage your time well with the ability to set and meet deadlines.
• Be comfortable working in an environment where confidentiality is applied to many areas of our work. You’ll need to set and maintain boundaries with clients.
• Be aligned to our vision, mission and values and to be happy to act in line with our code of conduct.
• Be flexible, resilient and adaptable to change, with the ability to thrive in an environment where change occurs regularly as we adapt to the needs of our services users and the economy and society in which we work.

Job Type: Part-time

Pay: £24,792.00-£26,972.00 per year

Expected hours: 22.5 per week

Benefits:

• Bereavement leave
• Free parking
• Health & wellbeing programme
• On-site parking
• Sick pay
• Work from home

Application question(s):

• In accordance with Schedule 9 of the Equality Act 2010, there is an occupational requirement for the successful candidate to be a Christian. Do you fulfil this requirement?

Work Location: In person