Support Worker – Homeless Oxfordshire, O’Hanlon House

Job Description
Job Title:

Support Worker (O’Hanlon House)

Organisational Level:

Housing & Support Services

Hours:

37.5 Hours

Status:

Permanent

Accountable to:

Team Leader

Responsible to:

Team Leader

Responsible for:

Safety and support of
residents in O’Hanlon
House Hostel.

Remuneration:
Per annum

Location:

£ 26,780
£28,119

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:
This role is responsible for delivering a safe and supportive service to all residents living at O’Hanlon House in
Oxford. The role holder needs to work alongside the team and external agencies to ensure the effective
delivery of high quality care, support and housing management according to Homeless Oxfordshire Policies and
Procedures.
Main Areas Of Responsibility:
• Ensure the effective delivery of high quality care, support and housing management according to Homeless
Oxfordshire policies and procedures.
• To be a supportive and effective part of the team working as part of a rota including evenings and weekends.
• Maintain a safe, clean and welcoming environment.
• To support and encourage clients to care for themselves and develop independent living skills.
• To assess and manage risk for individuals and in the service, making use of emergency services as required.
• Report any safeguarding concerns without delay in line with procedures.
• To make and maintain Housing Benefit claims and support clients to pay their service charges regularly
• To work in partnership with other agencies to ensure the delivery of holistic wrap around support
• To support the running of the service and perform shift responsibilities and duties that maintain good health
and safety and ensures the safeguarding of clients and others.

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Job Description
• Manage challenging situations in line with procedures and to ensure the safety of yourself and others.
• To participate in handovers at the beginning and end of shifts, ensuring that information is properly recorded
and passed on where appropriate and relevant and in a timely fashion
• Ensure that IT systems are updated as required and concise record keeping is completed promptly.
• Maintain positive relationships with clients, relatives, carers, professionals, commissioners, contractors and
the local community.
• Ensure clients are aware of and support them to maximise their opportunity to be involved in Client
Participation.
• To undertake any other duties that can be reasonably required to meet the operational needs of Homeless
Oxfordshire.
• 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.

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Job Description
Person Specification:
Factors
Knowledge,
Experience,
Qualifications,
Professional
Memberships &
Training

Essential

•
•

An understanding of the needs of homeless people
Experience of working in a face-to-face environment

•

Open attitude to change and ability to facilitate, enable and
encourage the engagement of others in the change process
Ability to connect with, motivate and drive others
Modifies own style and approach in order to achieve goals and
effectiveness
Focused on the views and needs of clients and other stakeholders
and ensures that individual focus is at the core of service provision
Displays self-awareness and integrity in all relationships
Ability to make quick and effective decisions
Excited by and passionate about delivering impact for people
experiencing homelessness
IT literate with knowledge of Microsoft packages in order to produce
letters & reports and store/retrieve information from databases.
Ability to lead, inspire and engage team to own and deliver on
Homeless Oxfordshire’s Vision and Objectives
Ability to deal with challenging behaviour
Thrives on working with others: is motivated by working closely with
other people, building and managing relationships and meeting new
people
Thrives in a fast-pace envionment, with a 'can do' attitude
Self-motivated and open: reflects on self, willing to be open and
honest about self-reflection and seeks personal improvement
Enthusiasm, energy and willingness to meet challenging demands
and work to deadlines

•
•

Communication,
Engagement &
Relationships

•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•

Team Skills

•
•
•

Recruitment
Selection Method

Desirable

(Application, Interview,
Assessment)

• Experience of working with people with mental
health, drug or alcohol needs.
• Knowledge and understanding of trauma.
• Experience of working in a hostel, or similar,
environment.

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Job Description

Analytical,
Problem Solving
& Judgement
Skills

Planning &
Organisational
Skills

•
•

Commitment to the Values and Objectives of Homeless Oxfordshire
Ability to work across the whole organisation with other services and
departments as appropriate

•

Able to identify and resolve risk management issues according to
policy/protocol
Understanding of the context in which you work, the needs of others
and able to connect people and projects so that the sum of the parts
is greater than the individual elements.

•

•
•
•
•
•

Standards &
Compliance

•

•

Equality,
Diversity &
Inclusivity

Personal /
Professional
Development

•
•

•
•
•
•

Able to methodically plan, manage, monitor, advise and review risks
and issues and provide resolution
Ability to organise, plan and prioritise on own initiative, for self and
others, including when under pressure and meeting deadlines
Ability to keep comprehensive case files and notes

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Knowledge of safeguarding legislation and risk assessment
methodology
Knowledge of voluntary and statutory services available to homeless
people and vulnerable adults
Able to operate competently regarding managing data and
information in accordance with the Data Protection Act (DPA) (2018)
and the General Data Protection regulations (GDPR).
Respects and values the diversity of colleagues, clients and wider
operational environment.
Demonstrates commitment to enhancing and developing Homeless
Oxfordshire services in line with principles of equality and diversity
Ability to work in accordance with equal opportunity
policies/procedures and promote the equality and diversity agenda
of the organisation.

Commitment to developing skills required to progress in role
Commitment to appraisal and annual review process with manager
Ability to apply new information and learn from experiences.
Shares knowledge and learning with others and recognises own
strengths and areas for development

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Job Description

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