Team Leader – STEP – Homeless Oxfordshire, Oxfordshire

Job Description
Job Title:

Team Leader – STEP UP

Hours:

37.5

Status:

Permanent

Accountable to:

Service Manager

Responsible to:

Service Manager

£33,527

Responsible for:

Coordination and delivery
of Step provision in
Oxfordshire

Remuneration:
Per annum

Primary Location:

Office Based – 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 Step service provides two differing services: Step Up service is a model providing accommodation based
support and assessment to prevent people having the need to go into hospital. Step Down provides
accommodation based support and assessment for people who are being discharged from the hospital using the
discharge to assess model. This provision in Oxfordshire is run in partnership between Homeless Oxfordshire and
Connection Support. This role is responsible for assessing referrals, line managing a small team to deliver a safe
and supportive service to all residents, and identifying appropriate move on options for the 12 individuals living
at the Step services. The role holder will have line management and case load coordination responsibilities and
work in partnership with Connections and other agencies to create holistic, individualised support and move on
plans for clients who are temporarily housed due to their health needs.

Main Areas of Responsibility:
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To lead the day to day running of a new and dynamic service with your team and service users.
To ensure the effective delivery of high-quality support and housing management according to Homeless
Oxfordshire policies and procedures
To work in partnership with Connection Support Step provision and Out of Hospital Team.
To work with other agencies to provide client centered support & risk management plans for clients
with complex needs to identify work towards a suitable move on option within 6 weeks.
To proactively and dynamically assess, monitor, manage and respond to risk.
To liaise with hospitals across the county to respond to referrals (including the Horton, John Radcliffe
& Warneford), assess risk and suitability of referrals to the service.
Work within agreed contractual performance targets and organisational targets and objectives:
o Monitoring and achieving key performance indictors and standards of service.
o Provide support, advice, line management and guidance to staff as appropriate.
• Report any safeguarding concerns in line with procedures and to appropriate bodies.

Job Description Template - Page 1 of 4

Job Description
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Manage challenging situations to ensure the safety of yourself and others. Lead on any
incident follow up alongside Team Manager.
Keep up to date and clear records and ensure information is shared with the team and
external agencies as required.
Maintain positive relationships with all stakeholders and represent Homeless Oxfordshire at
interagency meetings, as required.
Being a member of Homeless Oxfordshire’s on-call rota.
To ensure that Homeless Oxfordshire’s Equal Opportunities Policies are complied with and
promoted in carrying out duties of the post.

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 socioeconomic, 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

Job Description
Person Specification:

Factors

Essential

Desirable

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Knowledge,
Experience,
Qualification
s,
Professional
Membership
s & Training

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Communicat
ion,
Engagement
&
Relationship
s

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Team Skills

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An understanding of the needs of, and
experience of working with, homeless
people
An understanding of trauma and
awareness of trauma informed
approaches
Knowledge of voluntary and statutory
services available to homeless people
including housing options within
Oxfordshire.
An understanding of the benefits system
Experience of working with clients with
mental health, drug or alcohol problems
as part of a multi disciplinary approach.
Proven track record of achieving
successful move on outcomes with
clients
Focused on the views and needs of
clients and other stakeholders and
ensures that individual focus is at the
core of service provision
Firm belief in, and advocate for, service
user involvement
Open attitude to change and ability to
facilitate, enable and encourage the
engagement of others in the change
process
Confident and engaging verbal and
written interpersonal skills with the
ability to network, influence and build
relationships at all levels
Modifies own style and approach in order
to achieve goals and effectiveness
Displays self-awareness and integrity in
all relationships
Ability to make quick and effective
decisions
Ability to lead, inspire and engage team
to own and deliver on Homeless
Oxfordshire’s Vision and Objectives
Ability to deal with challenging behaviour

Recruitment
Selection
Method
(Application,
Interview,
Assessment)

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Experience or training in related fields.
i.e. social work, counselling, advice
work, mental health.
Knowledge of Oxford Homeless
network
Experience of working in a supported
housing environment
Knowledge of and experience of
recruitment processes
Knowledge of health and safety
legislation and risk assessment
methodology
Experience of managing a team and line
management responsibilities

A, I

IT literate with knowledge of Microsoft
packages in order to produce letters &
reports and store/retrieve information
from databases.

A, I

Excellent leadership and team
management skills with a successful

A, I

Job Description Template - Page 3 of 4

Job Description
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Analytical,
Problem
Solving &
Judgement
Skills

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Planning &
Organisation
al Skills

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Standards &
Compliance

Is motivated by working closely with
other people, building and managing
relationships and meeting new people
Excellent at motivating others and
building resilience in the team.
Self-motivated and open: reflects on self,
willing to be open and honest about selfreflection and seeks personal
improvement
Enthusiasm, energy and willingness to
meet challenging demands and work to
deadlines
Commitment to the Values and
Objectives of Homeless Oxfordshire
Ability to work across the whole
organisation with other services and
departments as appropriate
Ability to proactively identify problems,
seek relevant data, recognise important
information, diagnose possible causes
and define forward thinking solutions
Able to identify and resolve risk
management issues according to
policy/protocol
Produce timely and informative reports
Ability to keep comprehensive case files
and notes
Ability to organise, plan and prioritise on
own initiative, for self and others,
including when under pressure and
meeting deadlines
Proactively participate in annual reviews
for self and for others
Excellent project management skills
Strong attention to detail, deadlines and
planning workload
Anticipates future demands,
opportunities and constraints; translates
and implements plans to meet these.

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).

track record of managing, developing
and motivating staff

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Demonstratable experience of working
successfully within income and
expenditure budgets

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Applies own knowledge and skills
appropriately to contribute to the
effectiveness of Homeless Oxfordshire’s
operations, processes and systems

A, I

A, I

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Knowledge of safeguarding legislation
and risk assessments

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Knowledge of voluntary and statutory
services available to homeless people
and vulnerable adults

A, I

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