Housing First Worker – Homeless Oxfordshire, Oxford

Job Title:

Housing First Worker

Hours:

37.5 hours

Accountable to:

Service Manger (Housing First)

Remuneration:
Per annum

Location:

£29,849

Status:

Permanent

Responsible for:

Housing First

Oxford

About us:
We are an open door for people experiencing homelessness whose lives have been shaped
by trauma and disadvantage; providing safety, stability and support when it is needed most.
We deliver this support across Oxfordshire by providing a range of accommodation with
access to high quality support, offering a safe and welcoming space for people to take control
of their own lives.

Main purpose of job:
The Housing First Worker is part of a small dynamic team delivering a personalised, trauma
informed support service to people with complex needs facing multiple exclusions in line
with Housing First principles to create long term sustainable tenancies by increasing
independence and maximising connectivity with the local community.
Please use the link below to learn more about the principles of Housing First
The Principles of Housing First | Homeless Link

Main Areas of Responsibility:
•

Deliver wrap-around intensive, trauma informed support to people with multiple and
complex issues within their own independent tenancies

•

Maintain accurate up to date records of progress against individual support plans,
safety plans and outcome information.

•

Liaise with other agencies to facilitate access to support.

•

Regularly review the person-centred support plan to update, record and monitor
progress of caseload.

•

Build and maintain networks with staff from other stakeholders building support
around eacjh of our housing first residents.

Job Description Template - Page 1 of 4

•

Adhere to good practice safeguarding procedures with a positive risk-taking approach
to ensure the wellbeing of vulnerable people

•

Perform robust assessments of referrals for the service to ensure the service is
provided to those that meet the eligibility criteria.

•

Promote, and encourage peer involvement within the service.

•

Complete dynamic risk assessments and maintain own safety by following lone
working procedures.

•

Comply with Homeless Oxfordshire’s policies and procedures

•

Contribute to a positive working environment in which equality and diversity are
valued and staff are enabled to do their best.

•

Contribute to the work of the broader team.

Safeguarding statement:
Homeless Oxfordshire is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all adults,
children and young people who are at risk of harm and that come into contact with our
services. We believe that all adults, children and young people have an equal right to
protection from abuse, regardless of their age, race, religion, ability, gender, language,
background or sexual identity and consider the wellbeing of the vulnerable adult, child or
young person is paramount. As a result, we have a robust safeguarding policy to ensure
everyone is treated fairly and a whistleblowing policy to enable people raise any concerns
confidentially. We expect everyone (employees, trustees, associates, volunteers and anyone
working on behalf of the Company) to share this commitment and read, understand and
adhere to this policy and related procedures.

Equal Opportunities:
We employ people on the basis of their abilities. We strive to attract and develop talent that
is representative of our clients and all sections of the society, and do not discriminate based
on of age, faith, disability, race, gender, sexuality and socio-economic, regional or cultural
background. If you are shortlisted and need us to make any adjustments to help you attend
for interview, please let us know.

Job Description Template - Page 2 of 4

Person Specification:

Factors

Essential

Desirable

Recruitment
Selection
Method
(Application,
Interview,
Assessment)

•
•
•

Knowledge,
Experience,
Qualifications,
Professional
Memberships &
Training

•
•
•
•
•

•

•

Communication,
Engagement &
Relationships

•
•
•
•
•
•

Analytical,
Problem Solving
& Judgement
Skills and
organisational
skills

•

•

An understanding of the Housing First model and a
belief in its values and principles.
An understanding of the needs of homeless people.
An understanding of trauma and awareness of
trauma informed approaches
Experience of Safeguarding Adults
Knowledge of voluntary and statutory services
available to homeless people
Knowledge of Recovery and Harm Minimisation
Significant experience of working with homeless
people or people with substance use issues
Knowledge of safeguarding legislation and risk
assessment methodology with a positive risk-taking
approach to ensure the wellbeing of vulnerable
people
Focused on the views and needs of clients and other
stakeholders and ensures that individual focus is at
the core of service provision
Demonstrate coaching skills in promoting
independence.
Firm belief in, and advocate for, service user
involvement
Confident and engaging verbal and written
interpersonal skills
Ability to network, build and maintain relationships
with key stakeholders and partners.
Able to listen and communicate clearly, encouraging
feedback and reflection
Demonstrate a creative approach to problem solving;
getting and keeping people engaged and
demonstrating empathy.
An understanding of the complex interdependencies
of mental health and substance abuse and offending
behaviour.
Applies own knowledge and skills appropriately to
contribute to the effectiveness of Homeless
Oxfordshire’s operations

•
•
•

Experience of working in a
Supported Housing or
Housing First
Knowledge of Oxford
Homeless network
An understanding of
housing laws & the benefits
system

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Communicatimmmmmon,
Engagement &
Relationships

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Job Description Template - Page 3 of 4

Standards &
Compliance

•

IT literate able to produce regular monitoring reports
and reports and store/retrieve information from
Homeless Oxfordshire databases

•

An understanding of the Housing First model and a
belief in its values and principles.

Job Description Template - Page 4 of 4