Job Description
Are you a client-focused, proactive and compassionate individual with a proven track record of working with vulnerable people who have multiple disadvantages? If so, Hope4 has an exciting opportunity. We are seeking a Senior Key Worker to join our team and play a central role in delivering our vital homelessness support services in Rugby. Hope4 aims to end homelessness and food poverty one person at a time. We need an ambitious, compassionate person to join us. This is your chance to play a part in the fundamental change we are striving to achieve.
About the role
You will work as part of our small staff team along with local accommodation providers, seeking to place clients directly into accommodation. You will work with them to develop outcome-focused support plans that reflect their needs, personal strengths and goals, to make sure that they can sustain their accommodation and thrive in their community.
You will coordinate support around your clients and act as their Key Worker to help them sustain their accommodation and move forward with their lives. This will mean coordinating interventions provided at the Hope Centre by our staff or other agencies, or in the community so that the right support is provided at the right time, enabling clients to progress on their journey to independence.
About you
You will:
- need a relevant background that includes experience of working with those who are homeless or on the margins of homelessness.
- understand the needs and obstacles faced by those experiencing homelessness.
- be experienced in supporting people who are vulnerable and/or could have multiple disadvantages and complex needs.
- be able to demonstrate that you are a team player who is flexible, proactive, compassionate and dependable.
- have a good working knowledge of safeguarding frameworks and can demonstrate proficiency using a range of IT tools to carry out your work, including Microsoft Office applications and case management systems.
Above all we are looking for an inspirational and committed individual who is an effective communicator demonstrating a genuine desire to support people to transform their lives.
Hope4:
At Hope4 we believe that everyone has the right to have a place to call ‘home’, somewhere that is safe, secure and sustainable, and enough food even when in a crisis. We also believe that everyone should have the chance to realise their hopes and ambitions, and as a charity our clients are at the heart of what we do. Although Rugby is a small market town, in 2024 we supported over 180 people at our Day Centre and provided over 6000 food parcels at our Foodbank. The Hope Centre clients access a holistic range of services from the immediate need of a sleeping bag to showers, food, clothing, computers, mental and physical health care, and Key Workers working on a tailor-made plan enlisting the help of housing providers. Our staff and more than 80 volunteers are crucial to making this happen.
The charity is founded on Christian principles by the local churches and works to address homelessness and food poverty in the Borough of Rugby. Our staff and volunteers support these values and ethos irrespective of belief or background.
Hope4 is the overarching charity name overseeing all operations of the Hope Centre and Rugby Foodbank.
Our Values: Compassion, Respect, Integrity, Faith and Community
Job Title: Senior Key Worker
Reporting to: Service Delivery Manager
Location: Hope Centre*, 8 Newbold Road, Rugby, CV21 2LJ. *some off-site working is anticipated.
Salary range: Full-time, £31,000- £33,000 depending on experience.
20 days holiday a year (plus birthday and bank holidays, increasing a day a year of service to a max of 25 days a year).
Hours: Full time, Monday to Friday. Some evenings, bank holiday or weekend work may be required, and time off is given in lieu of extra hours worked.
Overall role purpose:
As our Senior Key Worker, you will work closely alongside the Service Delivery Manager to oversee the smooth running and operation of the Hope Centre in terms of its operational efficiency and standards.
You will be the main point of contact for staff and external agencies when the Service Delivery Manager is not available.
Key Responsibilities for a Senior Keyworker
1. Case Management and Support:
o Be responsible for the triage and support of a case load of clients who have multiple needs including mental and/or physical health issues drugs and/or alcohol dependencies, a history of multiple exclusion and social isolation, and who require an intensive case management approach.
o Deliver high quality support including assessing housing, benefits, healthcare, and employment needs. enabling clients with multiple needs to access and engage with the help they require., Supporting them to develop their plans and achieve their goals and to ultimately leave homelessness for good, including assessing client needs, risks and strengths
o Coordinate and support access of clients to relevant resources and partner agencies both at the Hope Centre and in the community ensuring effective communications between all parties.
o Liaise with partner organisations as necessary including meetings with other professionals concerning clients.
o Advocate for clients and lead on access to appropriate external organisations to ensure appropriate, timely support to help end their homelessness.
o Lead on first stage escalation of client issues/challenges.
o Maintain accurate and up-to-date records of client progress, interventions, and outcomes.
2. Team Leadership and Mentorship:
o Lead case review meetings, ensuring a coordinated and consistent approach to client care.
o Provide support to colleagues and volunteers to contribute to the development of skills and experience in the team providing guidance on best practices.
o Support team members, including volunteers, in their work by sharing your knowledge and skills and working collaboratively and constructively together in the interests of members.
o Supervision of volunteers where required.
o Participate positively in team meetings and group work sharing ideas and respecting colleagues’ contributions to build and sustain an inclusive team.
o Be the main point of contact for staff and external agencies when the Service Delivery Manager is not available.
3. Coordination with External Agencies:
o Act as a key point of contact for multi-agency meetings and initiatives focused on tackling homelessness.
o Liaise with partner organisations as necessary including meetings with other professionals concerning clients.
o Build and maintain strong relationships with local authorities, housing providers, and support services to secure resources for clients.
4. Crisis Intervention:
o Provide immediate support in emergency situations, including support to securing temporary accommodation and addressing urgent needs.
o Support Safeguarding concerns, ensuring all cases are handled in line with policies and procedures.
5. Program Development and Advocacy:
o As part of a team ensure the delivery of Psychologically Informed Environments and Trauma Informed Care that:
• promote client engagement and maximise inclusion and safety
• support wellbeing and the development of resilience and interpersonal skills
• are person centred helping people to recognise and build on their strengths
• motivate people and encourage them to identify and work through the changes they need and want to make supporting them to recognise their progress
• provide routes into appropriate learning and skills opportunities and ensure that clients have access to the community-based specialist services and support they need
• recognise the prevalence of, and impact of adversity and trauma on a person, understanding that individuals have all too often been disempowered, disconnected and excluded, and being careful not to repeat this
• recognise the value of compassion and connection in creating safety
o Contribute to the development and improvement of homelessness programs and services across the town and county.
o Act as an advocate for clients to ensure they are engaged with, or continue to receive assistance from other specialist services, working to address barriers to housing and support including community based and mainstream services needed to help them achieve their goals.
6. Compliance and Best Practices:
o Ensure all work adheres to legal, ethical, and organisational standards, including confidentiality and data protection.
o Stay informed about homelessness trends, policies, and practices to deliver effective and informed support including attending identified training.
o Ensure working for and volunteering at Hope4 is a positive experience.
7. Relationships and influence
o Develop and sustain positive operational partnerships that help ensure clients can access appropriate services in their communities.
o Build and maintain excellent relationships with colleagues within Hope4 and other organisations to ensure the delivery of a high-quality service as part of a wider service-offer that ends homelessness.
o Work reflectively, developing an awareness of your own and others’ relational styles and responses, and any judgements, biases or assumptions that may impact upon your work.
o Flexibility to cover other roles to maintain and adapt service delivery where required
8. Monitoring and quality
o Adhere to monitoring, case recording, outcome reviews and quality and audit systems. Ensure that accurate data is captured on the Case Management System and that there is good and appropriately responsive communication.
o Awareness of quality standards, including the compliance and good governance of service provision.
o Competent in the use of IT systems including Microsoft applications.
General:
o All information and data to be maintained in accordance with Hope4 policies and procedures, and within GDPR principles.
o Undertake identified training within specified timelines and maintain current operational knowledge where required.
o To be an active and effective team member with both those at the Hope Centre and Rugby Foodbank and those organisations supporting our work eg statutory and referral agencies, other charities, food and financial donors.
o Participate in supervision and annual appraisal and identify your own job-related development and training needs.
o Safeguarding – an awareness of Safeguarding for children and vulnerable adults and/or a willingness to undertake training.
o To be an ambassador for Hope 4 within the wider community.
o Build positive relationships with Hope4’s stakeholders including staff, trustees, volunteers and clients.
o Undertake any other reasonable requests by management, consistent with the nature of the service.
o Ensure that all work is delivered in line with contractual obligations and in accordance with best practice of Hope4.
See person specification for more details and shortlisting minimum criteria.
Please contact the Hope Centre if you would like to visit or speak to the Hope Centre Manager before applying.
