JOB DESCRIPTION. Job title:

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1 JOB DESCRIPTION Job title: Assigned Projects/Base: Reports to: Hours: Salary: Community Services Project Leader The Community Mental Health & Housing Service East Kent or West Kent Community services Either based in Dartford, Gravesham, Swanley and Swale, Thanet or South Kent Coastal Community Service Manager 37.5 per week (to be worked as required to fulfill needs of assigned project) 22,401pa rising annually to 25,226pa PROJECT LEADER OVERALL PURPOSE To broaden experience and develop managerial qualities in order to facilitate consistency of service in times of change. To assist in the co-ordination of the effective day-to-day running of assigned projects and provides advice, information, mentoring and to conduct staff teams 121s. You will carry a small caseload of clients and be assigned to a service with your own team. To regularly liaise with and update the Service Manager and to complete monthly and quarterly reports. THE COMMUNITY MENTAL HEALTH & HOUSING SERVICE To provide a comprehensive support service to people with mental health problems to enable them to access and maintain appropriate accommodation. The aim of the service is to provide individually tailored, one to one and time limited support for individuals with mental health needs to remain living independently and prevent homelessness. The service can be reactive to a housing crisis or can offer up to 12 weeks support to the service user s mental health support needs and tenancy sustainment. You will work along side other Porchlight internal services and external services within the Porchlight mental health & wellbeing network delivery pathway and in the wider community. You will work closely with the local authority and with a range of primary and secondary care mental health providers You will work within Porchlight s policies and procedures (Health & Safety, Personnel, Housing, Finance, Support Services etc.), upholding the values and ethos of the organisation. The project leader post carries a small caseload of clients. The post will be based in one of Dartford, Gravesham, Swanley, Swale, Thanet and South Kent Coastal depending on the successful applicant and their choice. PROJECT LEADER MAIN DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES Project 1. To undertake the duties of Project Leader or other frontline work at the assigned projects as required by the charity. 2. To deputise in the absence of the Service Manager. 3. To ensure that the day-to-day service is effectively and consistently delivered to service users. 4. To provide effective casework management advice, information and support to workers in the project e.g. benefits, risk assessment, support plans, recovery star model etc. 5. To ensure that all policies and procedures are implemented effectively and efficiently. Page 1 of 5

2 6. To lead on service user involvement in the Community Services and in the local area by supporting service users and staff to establish and maintain groups where service users can gain skills, improve their health and well being etc and are empowered to speak and be listened to on issues that are important to them. Staff 7. To assist in the recruitment, selection and induction of new staff. 8. To co-ordinate and supervise the work of volunteers, work placement students, trainees and sessional workers. 9. To design and deliver internal training to meet the needs of the team and the wider Charity. 10. To mentor trainees and new team members through regular meetings and by providing advice, information, and support as required. 11. To be the first point of contact for staff with queries regarding how to most effectively engage and support clients. 12. To carry out regular one to one meetings with individual members of staff in line with the Organisation s Learning and Development Policy, identifying training and development needs where agreed with the line manager 13. To contribute to the motivation, empowerment and creativity of staff through coaching so that they broaden and deepen their knowledge, skills and experience and are able to make decisions commensurate with the level of their posts. 14. To proactively contribute to team and organizational meetings and events. 15. To hold team meetings and carry out staff 121s and PDRs. Quality 14.To be responsible for ensuring that all responsibilities e.g. drop-ins are adequately covered. 15.To be responsible for developing and maintaining systems that ensure excellent communication and the sharing of good practice between teams, with external agencies and in joint working relationships. 16. To be responsible for developing, maintaining and reviewing effective relationships with external stakeholders. 17. To assist with managing the team s budgets in line with guidelines provided by the line manager. 18. To be responsible for promoting, implementing, monitoring and reviewing quality standards e.g. file inspections, etc. 19. To contribute to the strategic overview and direction of the project and to proactively assist in the process of implementing change. 20. To continuously review systems, processes and procedures and implement improvements efficiently and effectively. 21. To monitor the recording of information and prepare monthly reports in conjunction with the Office Coordinator. Development 22. To be responsible for own professional development. 23. To undergo training in order to develop an area of expertise (e.g. mental health, young people alcohol dependency etc) and staff and project management. 24. To be involved in broader workings of the organisation (e.g. through involvement in working groups). 25. To identify opportunities for innovation; design, plan and cost projects; implement initiatives (inc. consultation, involvement and budget management etc); monitor, evaluate and report on effectiveness of initiative. 26. To assist with the design, delivery and evaluation of internal training. General 27. To undertake other duties commensurate with the level of the post and with the agreement of the service manager. 28. Undertake all duties in accordance with Porchlight s policies and procedures with particular reference to Health & Safety and Equal Opportunities. Page 2 of 5

3 MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES THE COMMUNITY MENTAL HEALTH & HOUSING SERVICE 1. To undertake, review and amend risk assessments in relation to activities, service users and the environment, and to adhere to Porchlight s Lone Working policy at all times. 2. Liaise regularly with the Local Authority, housing associations, other relevant RSL s, other agencies and private landlords with regard to the support needs of vulnerable people being 3. To work in partnership with current Porchlight services, including GP Link, Community Inclusion, PRS and Outreach service 4. To interview and assess applicants with another member of staff in accordance with Porchlight s policy and procedures and to keep all parties (e.g. referrers, applicants etc.) informed of progress and the outcome. To complete SP forms promptly and accurately when an applicant is accepted on the scheme. 5. To assist service users in crisis such as facing eviction or criminal damage 6. To establish positive working relationships with clients and to provide guidance and assistance to the client in drawing up an Individual Support Plan (ISP) to meet their housing-related support needs and support them in reaching their aims. 7. To carry out visits to service users and support them in maintaining their tenancy through advocacy, liaison, advice and referral to more specialised agencies as appropriate. This may sometimes involve an element of crisis management. To keep up to date and accurate records of visits. 8. To assist, advise and support clients with housing related support which may include budgeting, minimising rent arrears, debt management, education, employment, setting up home, neighbour complaints, health and safety, accessing welfare and housing benefits, mental health and substance misuse, referring to more specialised agencies where appropriate. To support service users in accessing appropriate services and local amenities regarding their mental health and physical health 9. To promote appropriate client involvement in the delivery of the service and ensure that client views are heard, responded to and reasons for decisions are given as soon as possible. 10. To maintain accurate and up to date financial and administrative records and systems and assist in the compilation of monthly performance reports and other reports as required. General 11. To undertake and participate constructively in induction, regular supervision, appraisal and relevant training, and contribute positively to good team relationships and continuous improvement of services. 12. To maintain confidentiality in line with organisational policy in relation to service users, staff and business sensitive information. This job description is a summary of the main responsibilities of the post and duties may change and vary from time to time. Staff will be consulted on any major changes to the job description Page 3 of 5

4 PERSON SPECIFICATION A Community Mental Health & Housing Project Leader must have comprehensive knowledge of the challenges and support needs of people with mental health needs. They will have comprehensive knowledge around housing law and housing legislation. They will process a thorough understanding for all welfare benefits and a clear understanding on local LHA rates. They will promote independence, health & wellbeing by providing information and time limited access to other relevant recourses within Porchlight s network delivery pathway and the in the wider community. They will use a person centred approach to promote empowerment and self management on a range of issues around the service user s mental health needs and their tenancy sustainment. They will process excellent communication skills to interact with service users from diverse backgrounds and liaise with a wide range of professional services and agencies in the community including the local authority, housing associations, DWP and the primary and secondary care mental health services. We want the post-holder to be able to demonstrate the following competencies to a high level and want to use these to the full in their work. We will be looking for evidence of all the following key competencies during the selection process, if you are shortlisted. People focused Quality focused Positive and enthusiastic Adaptable Communication and influence Problem solving Teamwork Creativity and innovation QUALIFICATIONS 1. Relevant training, study or qualification (Level 3 or above) in the area of housing or welfare advice, social work, mental health, health care, substance or alcohol dependency. 2. Relevant Management or leadership training, study or qualification EXPERIENCE 3. Experience of working with homeless or vulnerable people. 4. Experience of providing support to people in their own homes 5. Experience of inter-agency liaison, including housing and in mental health services 6. Experience of assessment and interview processes. 7. Experience of working in the community and across a wide geographical area 8. Experience of working independently with minimal day to day supervision. SKILLS & ABILITIES Page 4 of 5

5 9. Good numeracy skills. 10. An ability to organise own workload efficiently, balancing face-to-face work with paperwork. 11. An ability to understand and implement professional boundaries. 12. An ability to initiate and maintain constructive relations with clients, colleagues and other professionals from a wide variety of cultural and social backgrounds. 13. An ability to implement strategies for coping with aggression and minimising risk. 14. Good IT skills (e.g. Word, Excel and ). KNOWLEDGE & UNDERSTANDING 15. Knowledge of the housing and support needs of homeless people. 16. An understanding of housing and welfare benefit systems. 17. An understanding of mental health, drug and alcohol issues 18. Knowledge and understanding of the roles of external agencies (Social Services, Probation, Education providers, Police, other voluntary and statutory organisations). PERSONAL QUALITIES 19. Commitment to the practical application of Equal Opportunities in the field of housing. 20. Commitment to developing and maintaining a high level of service to colleagues, service users, partners and other stakeholders 21. A positive, self-motivated and enthusiastic attitude to work. 22. Excellent communication and influencing skills (written and verbal). 23. Experience of making a positive contribution to the team. 24. The capacity to handle pressure and to be adaptable to changing or conflicting demands. 25. The ability to identify solutions to problems and implement them. 26. The ability to actively contribute ideas and suggestions that improve the quality of service. 27. In addition the post holder will also require a full driving license and the use of a vehicle, subject to the provisions of the Disability Discrimination Act Page 5 of 5