Support Worker

Job description

This is an exciting time to join Spires and play an integral part in delivering our new Croydon Day Centre, which we are delivering in partnership with Croydon Voluntary Action (CVA) and CAYSH, with the support of MHCLG's Ending Homelessness in Communities Fund.

About us: Spires is a grassroots South London charity working with people impacted by homelessness to lead lives of greater stability. Our support workers provide non-judgemental and tailored advice and guidance to adults who are currently facing homelessness or are at risk. We support people to secure housing that is sustainable, suitable for their needs, so they leave homelessness behind for good.

Part 1: The Role

This role sits within our Housing and Homelessness (H&H) team. The post holder's work will centre around three days a week at the Croydon Day Centre, with two days working in the community, which will include working from our refugee drop-in delivery in partnership with Croydon Refugee Day Centre (CRDC). The post holder will also work at our H&H services in Lambeth and Wandsworth on occasion, and colleagues from those services will also support the running of the Croydon Day Centre. The post holder will work from our Stockwell Office on Wednesdays.

Part 2: Key duties and responsibilities

Service Delivery & Support

Welcome and engage service users in a non-judgemental, compassionate manner.

Provide basic needs support such clothing, and access to a safe space.

Offer advice, advocacy and signposting on housing, health services and other support agencies.

Conduct assessments of need and develop personalised support plans.

Case Management

Maintain accurate, confidential records of interactions and support plans.

Liaise with housing teams, healthcare providers, social services, and other partners to coordinate support.

Monitor individuals' progress and update plans as required.

Centre Operations

Assist with daily tasks such as setting up service areas, distributing supplies, and managing donations.

Ensure safeguarding procedures and organisational policies are always followed.

Crisis Support

Identify signs of crisis, risk, or safeguarding concerns and respond appropriately.

Support individuals experiencing emotional distress, mental health issues or substance misuse challenges.

General

Be proactive in reviewing and evaluating own performance, and in identifying and acting upon areas for improvement and development.

Undertaking other duties compatible with the level and nature of the post and/or reasonably required by more senior members of staff, including session cover

Attend and participate in staff and team meetings and other meetings as required

This job description covers the current range of duties and will be reviewed from time to time. It is Spires' aim to reach agreement on changes, but if agreement is not possible, Spires reserves the right to change this job description.

Part 3: Person specification

Essential experience

Working with vulnerable and socially excluded people, particularly people experiencing homelessness or insecure accommodation and associated culture - drugs, alcohol, violence, mental and physical ill-health.

Managing a caseload, needs assessment, planned support, key working, goal setting and advocacy.

Experience of challenging appropriately and maintaining clear and appropriate boundaries

Networking and effectively liaising with specialist service providers or agencies to establish and/or improve access to services for clients

Desirable experience

Working with volunteers

Working in the charity sector and/or a day centre environment

Essential knowledge

Sound understanding of the issues faced by homeless or vulnerably housed people and the difficulties they experience in accessing services that are fully responsive to their needs

Good understanding of safeguarding practices in a social care and/or day centre environment

Good understanding of confidentiality and working with sensitive information

Working knowledge of health and social care services

Desirable knowledge

A relevant NVQ2/3 or equivalent qualification in a relevant field.

Essential skills and personal qualities

Excellent written and spoken communication skills

Information and relationship management skills

Ability to effectively manage time, work under pressure and balance competing priorities to meet deadlines

IT skills, including Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and databases

Non-judgemental with the ability to empathise

Part 4: Summary of terms and conditions of service

Location: The postholder will be an employee of The Spires Centre. This post is based at

Elmfield House 5 Stockwell Mews SW9 9GX. However, the post holder will be working across Spires' drop-ins in Lambeth, Wandsworth and Croydon.

Probation: This post is subject to a 6-month probationary period.

Notice: This post is subject to a four-week notice period.

Annual leave: The annual leave entitlement is 35 days per year pro rata, made up of eight bank and public holidays and 27 days annual leave. The 27 days annual leave is normally split between 24 'bookable' days and three closure days that fall between Christmas and the New Year.

Pension: The Spires Centre will contribute 5% of annual salary for those who qualify for our group pension plan.

Other benefits: The Spires Centre will provide life and income protection insurance for those who qualify for our group plans.

Expenses: The role may require travel. Out-of-pocket expenses will be paid when incurred in accordance with our expenses policy.

Safeguarding: The postholder will adhere to The Spires Centre's safeguarding policy for vulnerable adults. This post is also subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service check.