Housing First is an innovative approach used to support those who are multiply excluded and the hardest to reach clients. There are 7 key principles that form the basis of our approach. It focuses on finding housing first; and then addressing the issues that have contributed to an individual’s homelessness and inability to maintain accommodation.
The Housing First service aims to support each client by providing independent tenancies and intensive support. We adopt a flexible, creative and personalised approach, in order to support individuals to manage their tenancies in the community, rebuild their lives and reintegrate back into society.
We are looking for someone passionate about supporting complex clients to join our team, who can work with a proactive and flexible approach.
If you have good communication skills, with the ability to network and build effective relationships with a variety of people, a good understanding of the complex issues faced by homeless people and the difficulties they experience in accessing services this could be the role for you.
About you:
• Working with a person-centred approach to support clients in their own homes as well as in the community
• You will be responsible for managing a small caseload of clients day to day, you will be a key player in coordinating the appropriate support for each client, delivering ongoing and intensive support to help people set up their home, with the overall goal of supporting them to sustain their tenancy and achieve individual goals and aspirations.
• You will develop the skills to build and maintain effective relationships with local partner agencies to support clients throughout their journey.
• Support with complex and coexisting needs, ensuring they are appropriately assessed and supported and to work collaboratively with specialist substance misuse services and Adult Mental Health Services to ensure these needs are met.
• To ensure the health and safety of the residents; in supporting them to maintain and further improve their mental health, and to promote their independent living abilities in accordance with their individual support plans, fully involving them in all aspects of the planning and service delivery
• Previous Housing First experience is desirable but not essential. We will provide support and supervision to help you work independently and comfortably as a lone worker to support clients and effectively manage your own caseload
Requirements:
• Substantial knowledge and experience of working within the Housing / Support arena within a comparable or similar sector.
• Have an understanding of complex needs and therapeutic approaches to support the residents in addressing their needs and inform change
• Experience of mental health, alcohol and substance misuse issues
• Excellent communication skills, verbal and written, within a variety of different communication channel.
• Collaborative and approachable when working to achieve shared and organisational level goals.
At One YMCA we are an inclusive organisation and actively promote equality of opportunity for all with the right mix of talent, skills and potential. We encourage applications from all backgrounds, communities and industries, and are committed to having a team that is made up of diverse skills, experiences and abilities.
