The post holder will ensure safe, appropriate, effective and sustainable discharges that meet the needs of homeless patients. The post holder will work in partnership with members of their own multi-disciplinary as well as other hospital teams and outside agencies in order to achieve successful discharges. The post holder will work both on various wards, in Accident and Emergency (A&E) and may need to outreach into the community to support patients post discharge for follow ups. The post holder will be expected to work core hours of Monday to Friday 09.00-17.00, with one weekend per month.
The post holder will work as part of a multidisciplinary team with other housing workers, an occupational therapist, nurse and social worker. The post holder will provide expert housing advice to other members of the team and wider hospital. The post holder will also be expected to contribute to teaching/awareness sessions delivered to a variety of staff throughout the hospitals.
The post holder will undertake detailed housing assessments that will help prove a patient’s homelessness, eligibility, priority for housing and established local connection.. The post holder will build relationships and liaise with Local Authorities Housing departments to achieve the best results for the patients. The post holder will at times escort patients to Housing Options departments and accommodation viewings to provide advocacy as necessary.
- To deliver individualised advice to patients liaising with the necessary support agencies/authorities to achieve the best possible outcome on discharge.
- To carry out holistic housing assessments that will help prove a patient’s homelessness, eligibility, and priority for housing support and to verify local connection.
- To work alongside senior staff to resolve disputes with Housing Options, and achieve the best results for the patient and the health and housing services involved.
- To ensure patient case notes are updated in timely manner (e.g. EPIC).
- To provide information and advice to members of the team and other colleagues in the hospital around housing, benefits entitlements and processes.
- To provide discharge advice and support to health professionals in hospital.
- To act as a role model for other staff, delivering sensitive, comprehensive and appropriate care to homeless patients, demonstrating no prejudice.
Guy’s and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust
Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust comprises five of the UK’s best known hospitals – Guy’s, St Thomas’, Evelina London Children’s Hospital, Royal Brompton and Harefield – as well as community services in Lambeth and Southwark, all with a long history of high quality care, clinical excellence, research and innovation. See www.guysandstthomas.nhs.uk.
We are among the UK’s busiest, most successful foundation trusts. We provide specialist care for patients including heart and lung, cancer and renal services as well as a full range of local hospital and community services for people in Lambeth and Southwark. See www.guysandstthomas.nhs.uk
The post is based with the Homeless Health team at Beckett House opposite St. Thomas's hospital and will involve travelling to St. Guy's hospital.
Our values
Our values help us to define and develop our culture, what we do and how we do it.
It is important that we all understand and reflect these values in our work. We are:
Caring – we put patients first
Ambitious – we innovate and strive for excellence
Inclusive – we respect each other and work collaboratively
For further details / informal visits contact: Name: Rosemary Amran Job title: Homeless Health Occupational Therapist Email address: rosemary.amran1@nhs.net Telephone number: 020 7188 9595
