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DATE AS POSTMARK
Dear Applicant
Support Worker – The Manchester Foyer Thank you for your enquiry regarding the above position. I have pleasure in enclosing an application form along with further details about the post and the Association. If you wish to apply, please complete the Application Form and return it to me at the Manchester address by midday on Thursday 17th September 2015. Please do not send CV’s. It is important to address all the essential items on the person specification, giving examples of experience or skills wherever possible. Any additional information supplied should not exceed two sides of A4 paper. References will not be pursued without obtaining your permission first. Verification of qualifications will be required. Only applicants who have demonstrated the required skills and experience will be selected for interview. It is anticipated that interviews will be held in Manchester. I regret that I cannot reply to each applicant in person, so if you have not heard from me within one week of the closing date, your application will have been unsuccessful on this occasion. When returning your application by post, please ensure that you pay the correct postage. Incorrect postage payment will lead to delay in receipt of your application and we cannot take responsibility should you miss the closing date. If you have any questions regarding the above, please contact me. In the meantime, I look forward to receiving your application and would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your interest in the position. Yours sincerely
Nicola Brandon Head of Human Resources / P: 02/09/15
How To Apply
We would like you to submit your application ensuring that all the following information is included:
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Your full name
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Home address
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Daytime telephone number
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Home telephone number (if different)
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Email address (if applicable)
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Date of birth
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Information on where you saw the post advertised
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Whether or not you hold a current, valid driving licence
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Whether or not you require a permit to work in the UK / your National Insurance number
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Information concerning your present or most recent employer including: job title, description of duties and responsibilities, salary and notice required
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Other employment, in chronological order
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Your education qualifications, including professional qualifications
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Name and addresses of at least two referees, one of whom must be your current or most recent employer
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Details of why you wish to apply for the post – having due regard to the job description and person specification
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Details of any relationship with Board Members or employees
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Equal opportunities monitoring form
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Your signature and the date of your application.
Important Note: Data Protection Act 1998 Information provided by you in your application is covered by the provisions of the Data Protection Act (1998). Your application will be processed in accordance with these provisions. By signing and returning your application form you are giving permission for the exchange of information between St Vincent’s Housing Association and other, relevant third parties in order to verify the information you have provided.
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The Association
Background St Vincent’s Housing Association was founded in 1971 at the initiative of the Society of St Vincent de Paul. It is registered as a charitable Housing Association. We are governed by a Board of Management, which includes Tenant Board Members and our vision is to be the housing and service provider of choice for tenants and partners. The Association’s Head Office is in Old Trafford, Manchester with an area office in Haslingden, as well as our Manchester Foyer and Blackburn With Darwen Foyer and a number of sheltered housing schemes across the North West. We have rented stock of over 3000 properties located mainly in Greater Manchester (Manchester, Salford, Trafford, Bury, Tameside), Rochdale, Bolton, Hyndburn, Warrington, Calderdale, the Ribble Valley, St Helens, Blackburn, and Pendle. Investor in People St Vincent’s is proud to have been accredited as an Investor in People since 1994. This is in recognition of our investment and commitment to the training and development of our staff to help sustain robust neighbourhoods. We were awarded Silver status in 2012. Post Offer Medical Questionnaires All job offers will be subject to satisfactory completion of a medical questionnaire. The information will be confidentially screened and further information from your doctor or a medical examination may be required before the offer of appointment is confirmed. Disabilities The application form asks that you provide information on disabilities. This is not so as to discourage applications from people with disabilities but to help us assess whether or not we need to make reasonable adjustments in order to assist new employees in attending interview and in their job. We recognise our duties under the Equality Act and are committed to ensuring all candidates are treated fairly. We are a Positive About Disabled employer. Probationary Periods It is a condition of service that all new employees serve a six month probationary period. This may be shorter in some circumstances. Flexible Working We have established systems and procedure in place for flexible working and policies aimed to facilitate a positive work / life balance.
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The Job Support Worker
Reporting to the Foyer Manager, the Foyer Support Worker is part of the Foyer team which includes two other Support Workers, a Support Coordinator, an Income & Lettings Worker, two Foyer Assistants, a Maintenance Officer and a cleaning team. The postholder will provide one to one support and advice to residents, group work and work with colleagues to promote the Foyer. There will also be liaison with external partners and suppliers Salary The salary offered will be between £20,273 and £24,412 per annum. Salary is paid monthly into your bank account. Duration The post is temporary to cover maternity leave for up to 12 months. Pension Scheme and other Benefits The Association operates a Group Personal Pension Plan and contributes 6.5% towards the employee’s pension rights (with a minimum contribution of 3% by the employee). The Association also provides Permanent Health Insurance and Death In Service benefit. Hours of Work Hours of work are 35 hours per week, Monday to Friday between 8am to 8pm as required on the Foyer rota. Where there is a need for extra hours to be worked at the request of the manager a TOIL system is in operation. Holidays The post carries 23 days annual leave per annum plus statutory bank holidays. A further one day is added to the entitlement after each full year of service, up to a maximum of five additional days. The holiday year runs from January to December. Essential Car User Allowance Not applicable Sickness Absence The Association operates a company sickness scheme that provides up to six months full pay and six months half pay after one years service. Full details are contained in the Staff Handbook.
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Job Description
JOB TITLE
FOYER SUPPORT WORKER
RESPONSIBLE TO
FOYER MANAGER
JOB PURPOSE AND ETHOS
To be an ambassador for the Foyer and maintain positive relationships with all key stakeholders including young people; Foyer Federation; the local authority; local education & training providers; housing providers – marketing and promoting the Foyer as safe, secure and place of personal development for young people and parents. To develop effective, professional and partnership working with a range of appropriate service providers. To support young people around the following five principles – Staying safe; Being healthy; Getting involved and making a positive contribution; Achieving economic wellbeing; Enjoying life and achieving their goals.
DUTIES Housing Related Support Activities 1. To liaise with the Local Authority Housing Team around applications and informing YPHT and the applicant of decision – accept, defer or decline. 2. To support the Foyer to develop and maintain a healthy waiting list. 3. To undertake needs assessment interviews; gather appropriate information from other service providers and undertake risk assessments prior to move in if require. 4. To ensure that applicants and new residents understand their licence agreement and support them to sustain their licence – to describe the licence conditions around payment of rent and occupancy charges; licence conduct and conditionality of being committed to education, training or employment / explain our expectations to complete the pre tenancy training and the in-house Employability and Personal Development Qualification and to promote and encourage meaningful resident involvement activity. 5. Monitor the rent accounts; occupancy charges; rechargeable repairs commitments of your caseload and liaise with the Income and Lettings Worker to develop repayment plans and advise of any changes in circumstance’s etc. 6. To support clients to maximise their income – offering advice and guidance on benefit entitlement and employment; liaising with agencies including HB; JCP; Connexions etc. and to utilise the SVHA Resident Development and Hardship funds when you feel that the situation warrants financial assistance. 7. To assist residents to move on to suitable accommodation. / P: 02/09/15
Caseload and additional responsibilities 8. To manage a caseload of approx. 15 residents 9. To offer advice and guidance to all residents as and when required in the absence of their own key worker 10. To meet with residents on a regular basis as required by Policy and Procedure and to update key notes; support plans and individual risk assessments in a timely manner so that information is up to date and available if required. 11. To maintain accurate records including resident files; notes from meetings; interviews and incidents - both in paper files and computerised as required. 12. To ensure all safeguarding issues are reported to the manager and colleagues and accurate records are maintained; to prepare reports for and work with statutory agencies and attend meetings as required to ensure risks are managed including CAF; TAC and Child Protection meetings etc. 13. To provide parenting support and guidance which could involve monitoring in case of child protection issues and monitoring of their parenting capacity (Blackburn Foyer only) 14. To adhere to all SVHA and Foyer polices and procedures and to contribute towards their development and continual improvement. 15. To update and maintain records and performance indicators for the collation of reports including those for SVHA; Supporting People; Foyer Federation and any others required at the request of the Foyer Manager. 16. To support residents to find appropriate education, training or employment opportunities; 17. To signpost and make referrals to statutory and specialist services as required within the Support Plan and Risk Assessment Process.
Health and Safety and Building 18. To ensure the building is vibrant; clean and welcoming to all visitors and residents. 19. To undertake health and safety duties as required; including undertaking flat inspections; monitor the condition of all communal areas; reporting any repairs required; to participate in any fire safety and evacuation procedures. 20. To support residents in the development of skills required to sustain their licence agreement – including teaching them basic life skills including cleaning; cooking and any other skills requires – this may be either individually or as part of a group.
Resident Involvement 21. To develop and deliver a range of groups and activities to residents; including preparing and delivering a weekly group night and a range of positive activities throughout the week. 22. To support residents to get involved in the running of the Foyer and the wider governance and customer involvement within SVHA through developing resident meetings; resident representatives and supporting residents to attend external activities.
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23. To source specialist external agencies to deliver sessions was and when required for example – Drug & Alcohol; Mental Health; Domestic Abuse; Money Management etc., and to support those agencies in the delivery of the sessions. 24. To lead on and support colleagues and the Foyer Manager on funded projects for example Foyer Federation funded initiatives. 25. To bring individuals skills and talents to the team and develop the ‘Foyer Offer’ for young people. 26. To deliver Employability and Personal Development Training and the Passport 2 Housing with colleagues. 27. Other groups as appropriate – this could include trips away from the Foyer; residential activities; open days etc.
Policy & Procedure 28. Keep updated in liaison with Foyer Management. 29. To keep accurate records on Pyramid, scanning and reporting to team/Manager.
Student & Volunteer Supervision 30. To support Student Social Work Placements and liaise with their assessor. 31. To support volunteers and provide them advice and guidance as required.
Personal Development and Conduct 32. To attend one to one meetings with Foyer Manager and Team Meetings. 33. To undertake training as required for the role. 34. To work appropriate hours so as to be able to work with YP in college /training/ employment (e.g. 1- 2 late shifts) 35. To provide cover as required with the context of the team. 36. To provide a professional service to all key stakeholders. 37. To undertake any additional duties as deemed appropriate within the context of the role issued by the Foyer Manager
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Person Specification Foyer Support Worker EDUCATION, QUALIFICATIONS AND KNOWLEDGE: Good standard of general education Knowledge of local service provision for young people Knowledge of housing issues and systems for young people WORK BASED COMPETENCES Experience of working with young people Able to enthuse and motivate young people Experience of providing training/one to one support/guidance for young people An ability to develop and enhance young peoples skills and strengths Good literacy and numeracy skills to enable accurate monitoring of rent accounts, invoices and benefit claims Computer Skills
ESSENTIAL X X X
X X X X X X
BEHAVIOURAL COMPETENCIES Flexible approach and willingness to work evenings / weekends / bank holidays, as required Work well as part of a team Adaptable and pleasant manner Ability to work in a dynamic environment Calm and well organised
X X X X X
OTHER RELEVANT FACTORS: Commitment to equality and opportunity Customer care skills Good telephone skills Ability to work without supervision A commitment to the Foyer concept
X X X X X
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DESIRABLE
Foyer Support Worker
/ P: 02/09/15
