Rough Sleeper Outreach Worker- Full Time

About us

CHESS Homeless works to ensure that people who find themselves homeless in Essex are supported in ways that enable them to move forward purposefully and in good health.

Rough Sleeper Outreach Worker – Full Time

JOB DESCRIPTION

Post: Rough Sleeper Outreach Worker

Reporting to: Outreach Manager

Line Management Responsibility: Volunteer on Duty, if applicable

Hours per week: You will be required to work 37.5 hours a week over 5 days on which work could fall between Monday and Sunday, with a minimum of 7.5 hours per day, between 6am and 11pm.

Actual days, start/finish times will be variable and in accordance with the rota which will be available two weeks in advance. You will be required to work bank holidays when on rota and may be required to work additional hours, when authorised and as necessitated by the needs of the business including weekends, public holidays or at other times outside your normal hours of work. This may on occasions include night work.

Contract Term: Permanent

Pay Rate Range: £21,500 - £24,527 dependant on skills and experience

Application Closing Date- TBC

Interviews- to be confirmed

Overall purpose of the job

Successful applicants will work as part of a developing team to provide support and assistance to referred rough sleepers and those at risk of rough sleeping, assessing needs and facilitating the uptake of homelessness provisions, engagement with specialist support services and journey to independent living. Successful applicants will engage and facilitate rough sleepers or those at risk of rough sleeping, to access basic services and accommodation, providing support along the way to address needs and promote independence.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

· Outreach Trips to visit Rough Sleepers - Epping, Maldon, Chelmsford, Rochford, Braintree, Uttlesford, Castle Point, Brentwood and surrounding areas

· Undertake needs and risk assessments, for those rough sleeping and at risk of rough sleeping.

· Facilitate access to council provisions for homelessness

· Signpost and facilitate referrals, and support service users to access specialist agencies.

· Liaise and plan with other agencies, attending client meetings where appropriate/requested.

· Pre-admission checks for the rough sleeper accommodation.

· Provide transport where necessary to Rough Sleepers to enable access to assessment and support services at CHESS sites.

· To facilitate as necessary in the provision of intensive wrap around support of clients brought into the Rough Sleeper emergency accommodation (planning, assessments and referrals)

· Landlord Recruitment/ Retention in order to get people into private rented accommodation.

· Facilitate accommodation moves, cleaning and preparation of rooms for Outreach clients

· Welfare checks for individuals placed in accommodation as required

· Liaising with faith and community groups in all districts to recruit volunteers to facilitate outreach in the area

· Updating of all data on systems - Spreadsheets/CRM

· Research and admin as necessary to progress the Outreach services

· Cover of sick and A/L of other Outreach/Support Team members, where necessary

· To identify and report all safeguarding concerns related to vulnerable adults and children according to CHESS policies and procedures- CHESS is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment.

This job description is a general outline of the duties and responsibilities of the post holder and may be amended by CHESS Homeless as the service develops and the expectations of the role change. The post holder may be required to undertake other duties as may reasonably be required from time to time.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Experience

Essential-

· Experience in support work

· Taking client risk and needs assessments and helping individuals identify and reach their goals

· Experience in preparing support plans and writing accurate support notes

· Experience of using Microsoft Office products (Word, Excel and Outlook)

· Accurate recording of data and reporting

· Good verbal and written communication skills

· Building relationships with external stakeholders and partnership working

Desirable-

· Experience of working with a client database

· Experience of charity working and homelessness in particular

· Experience of working with volunteers

· Experience of Outreach work

Knowledge

Essential-

· Knowledge of the benefit system

· Knowledge of the needs and issues contributing to homelessness and other services available to help address their issues

· Strong knowledge and experience of maintaining professional boundaries and importance of working with policies and procedures

· Data management and confidentiality

· Safeguarding vulnerable adults

· Knowledge of private housing market

Personal Attributes

Essential-

· Solution focused with a proactive attitude

· Able to work as a team under direction, whilst being self-motivated and self-disciplined

· Focus on achieving results for our clients

· High level of persuasive and negotiating skills and ability to communicate with people of all levels

· Tenacity and an innovative attitude

· Confidential

· Ability to remain calm in challenging situations

Other Requirements

Essential-

· Time Flexibility

· Due to the nature of the charity and the possibility of the applicant working with vulnerable people, this role is subject to the satisfactory completion of a DBS check (Disclosure)

· Full current driving licence- to drive charity vehicles

· Ability to lift – to take provisions to clients and to assist with room clearing and moves

· Safeguarding- CHESS Homeless is committed to the safeguarding of adults, young people and children. This post is subject to a self-disclosure and a satisfactory return of a disclosure and barring service submissions, or disability status.

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Salary: £21,500.00-£24,527.00 per year

Benefits:

• On-site parking
• Wellness programme

Schedule:

• Weekend availability

Application question(s):

• Are you able to work any time between 6am and Midnight, as required by the rota any day of the week?

Licence/Certification:

• Driving License (required)

Work authorisation:

• United Kingdom (preferred)

Work Location: In person