Team Leader – Look Ahead Care and Support, Westminster

We’re looking for a kind, compassionate and resilient Team Leader to join our Homelessness Social Care Service in Westminister.

£33,130.60 per annum, working 40 hours per week.

Want to feel like you have an exciting future? You’ll feel at home here.

Making you feel at home here means helping you thrive in every way. That’s why we offer a wide range of benefits, award-winning Learning & Development and a culture that welcomes all. These aren’t token gestures - we’ve thought long and hard about how best to support our team. After all, our people are doing something amazing: helping to transform lives every day.

Our benefits include:

• Annual leave increasing up to 30 days with length of service
• A generous pension – we will contribute up to 8% and life assurance cover up to 3x Pensionable Salary (T&Cs apply)
• Exclusive discounts and cashback via Reward Gateway® and opportunity to buy a Blue Light Card
• Fully paid induction programme and further training
• ILM courses and Apprenticeship Programmes
• Cycle to work scheme
• Employee Assistance Programme for 24-7 confidential support
• Online wellbeing resources
• Quarterly Staff Awards to reward & recognise our amazing staff’s commitment and contribution
• Free DBS 

All applicants must be legally eligible to work in the UK by the start of employment as Look Ahead are not able to offer sponsorship.

The post holder will work at Edward Alsop Court Hostel, a support accommodation service for men with complex needs supporting men with complex substance use, mental and physical health conditions, and offending behaviours. The project offers 24-hour high support, delivered by a team of support workers, specialist support workers and night workers.

The service sits in the heart of Westminster. Westminster is a high-profile borough, with extensive network partners in ending homelessness and understanding of the needs of entrenched rough sleepers. Edward Alsop Court Hostel works in partnerships with Westminster Council, The Passage, The Connection at St.Martin’s, St.Mungo’s, Turning Point, CGL, SLAM and other specialised services, including homelessness nurses/GP teams. The teams work closely with each customer to secure appropriate longer term accommodation from the beginning of their stay.

The ideal candidate will have good knowledge and understanding of homelessness and demonstrate the ability to manage a busy, fast-paced service. The successful candidate will be someone who is energetic, enthusiastic, non-judgemental, a team player, thrives under pressure, provides effective crisis intervention, is able to support staff effectively, demonstrates good problem-solving skills, and can demonstrate excellent networking and partnerships. They will have excellent communication skills (both verbal and written) and will be good at using their own initiative.

What you’ll do: 

You will be expected to achieve high move on targets and support an over 35 customer group to engage in education, training or employment. Additionally, you will lead and excel in designated KPI’S which will be reviewed by your Contract Manager on a monthly basis.

Post-holders will be required to demonstrate strengths in all the indicators set out in the relevant Look Ahead Management Competency Model. More specifically, the post holder will:

The Team Leader has responsibility for:

• Assisting the Manager/Deputy Manager in ensuring the smooth daily running of the Service at all times and deputising in his/her absence for all matters relating to the management of the Service.
• The line management of allocated staff
• Key working for allocated clients
• Taking a lead for defined areas of work within the project
• Helping clients to identify their personal aims and ambitions, and supporting them to make and carry out plans towards achieving them.
• Providing practical and personal support to clients.
• Ensuring the client can identify and access relevant services.
• Liaising with other statutory and voluntary agencies to ensure the appropriate support for clients.
• Working as part of a team responsible for the day-to-day management of the hostel/ housing, to provide a high quality, safe place to live
• Undertaking a range of procedural and administrative tasks relating to client work, housing management and health and safety, in line with Look Ahead policies and procedures, and in compliance with legal requirements

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Administration and Finance

• Ensure proper administrative, financial and record keeping systems are developed and maintained including the operation of computerised systems as appropriate.
• Liaise with DWP, Local Authorities to ensure that all claims, payments, refunds and entitlements are made. As part of the management team ensure effective systems for the collection of charges; ensure that voids and arrears are kept to a minimum.
• Co-ordinate support with partner agencies as necessary Scheme Procedures
• Ensure that the scheme complies with all statutory regulations relating to health and safety, fire precautions etc.
• Develop and maintain the Service procedures. Train staff to comply with these procedur
• Liaise with Technical Services staff and contractors on all aspects of the day-to-day and cyclical maintenance of the building.

Management

• As agreed with the Manager/Deputy Manager, carrying out recruitment and selection of new staff to the team.
• Working with Manager/Deputy Manager to develop performance targets and quality control measures for the work of the team, and monitoring team members’ work to ensure that these are met .
• Supporting staff by setting clear objectives and holding individual supervisions regularly.
• Ensuring good communication between staff by holding team meetings regularly, and additional briefings as necessary.
• Inducting new staff and planning the continuing development of existing staff on the basis of an annual appraisal.
• Contributing to the management of the workload of the team to ensure that adequate cover is provided at all times, and team responsibilities are met.
• Ensuring the health and safety of team members. This will include implementing procedures for office safety and use of computer equipment.
• Defining (and reviewing from time to time) the roles of staff to ensure these support the function’s aims and objectives.
• Operating Look Ahead disciplinary and grievance procedures where necessary.
• Ensuring Look Ahead policies and procedures are followed in relation to recording, monitoring and follow up of sickness and absence.

Client Support

• To key work a small caseload of clients as and when required by the Manager/Deputy Manager . This may be ensuring the continuity of support during a project workers absence or working with more complex need clients.
• In conjunction with the Manager ensure that effective assessments and action plans are updated for all residents through a key worker system
• Ensure that resident's rights are upheld and promoted in all aspects of the work.
• Work with the project workers to ensure effective move-on plans for individual clients are created and worked towards within the designated timeframes
• Be the internal expert on best practice for the team, particularly in terms of accessing move on accommodation
• Create a culture of co-production and client involvement in the scheme.
• In conjunction with the Manager/Deputy Manager ensure that all safeguarding concerns, incidents and complaints are managed robustly

GENERAL

• Adhere to Look Ahead Policies and Procedures at all times.
• Cover for other members of the team and division as necessary.
• Being proactive in reviewing and evaluating own performance and identifying and acting upon areas for improvement and development.
• Undertaking, as required, any other duties compatible with the level and nature of the post and/or reasonably required by more senior members of staff.
• Attend and participate in divisional and team meetings and other meetings as required.

About you: 

• Enjoys social interaction and the company of others, networks in local business community
• Approachable and open behaviour
• Prefers working as part of a group or team
•  Is fundamentally calm and resilient, does not let emotion adversely affect them or obscure their judgement
•  Is highly motivated and a self-starter
• Enjoys managing and motivating others
• Has a practical and logical mind and is naturally well organised
• Thrives on change and enjoys dynamic diverse environments
• Is confident with high levels of self-esteem
• Is respectful, articulate and sensitive in style of communication
• Is passionate and enthusiastic about his/her career and job experiences
• Is motivated towards excellence and improvement of personal performance with a can do attitude

Desirable:

Degree level education or equivalent; and/or relevant CMI/NVQ Level 3 or other business/management qualification. Other relevant professional memberships and/or specialist qualifications are desirable.

One year management experience or two years experience supporting vulnerable adults.