Rainer Surrey. Floating Support Worker

Transcription

1 Rainer Surrey Floating Support Service Floating Support Worker JOB DESCRIPTION 1. Post Details Post title: Floating Support Worker Rainer Grade: Grade 4 Location: Epsom Responsible to: Floating Support Co-ordinator 2. Job Purpose To be part of the Floating Support Team of the Rainer Surrey 16plus Service. The floating support scheme aims to provide short term (not more than two years) floating support to young people who are at risk and young people leaving Local Authority Care between the ages of 16 and 21 years, who are in need of housing related, tenancy sustainment support in order to maintain and promote independent living. The post holder will provide floating support service to young people aged who are looked after, formerly looked after by the local authority, or young people16&17 year old who are assessed as in need within the remit of the Service, reporting to the Floating Support Co-ordinator. 3. Organisational Relationships a) Report to the Floating Support Co-ordinator. b) Responsible for developing effective working relationships with key partners, teams and agencies to facilitate a co-ordinated multi-agency response to the assessed housing related floating support needs of care leavers and vulnerable 16 and 17 years olds. c) To work in close liaison with and consider referrals from 16plus Personal Advisers, district/boroughs, homelessness officers, housing benefit officers, youth offending team workers, Connexions Personal Advisers and the Supporting People Team and other relevant agencies 4. Main Duties

2 Floating Support a) Provide a responsible and comprehensive Floating Support Service to all young people in line with Supporting People and Rainer s policies and procedures b) To participate in the procedures for selection of young people for floating support in accordance with policy and procedures. c) Ensure that young people taking up tenancies understand their, responsibilities and that support is provided in order that they can successfully maintain their tenancy agreements. d) Support young people to move into accommodation and set up their utilities e) Maintain up to date and comprehensive Support Plans and young people s files f) Ensure that support plans are completed within the required timeframes and that goals and timescales for completion are identified. g) Ensure that Support Planning compliments Pathway Assessment. Plans and reviews or other relevant assessments and care plans h) Encourage the full participation of young people in their support planning, and other participation where applicable i) Report to the Floating Support Co-ordinator as required. 5. Welfare Rights and Benefits a) Provide practical advice and support to young people. b) Liaison with the young person s allocated supported worker at all stages to ensure that multi agency approach is taken c) Liaison with the 16plus and Connexions Personal Advisers Department for Work and Pensions, Surrey Welfare Rights Unit (or its equivalent), Housing Benefit Agencies and Housing Departments to ensure young people receive their full entitlement to benefits. Ensure young people apply for benefits as and when entitled and required. 6. Finance

3 a) As directed by the Floating Support Co-ordinator and liaison with the Administration Team Manager comply with scheme income and expenditure within budget and procedural guidelines. 7. Floating Support Ensure that all young people who are referred for floating support have a support plan that identifies their needs and timescales for goals and targets to be met incorporating 1-4 points below and in line with the 5 Every Child Matters Key Objectives 1. Tenancy Management Skills 2. Life Skills 3. Meaningful Occupation 4. Move on 8. Development a) Assist the Floating Support Co-ordinator, in the development of the floating support scheme for young people leaving care and vulnerable 16/17 year olds. b) With Floating Support Co-ordinator liaise with and undertake presentations to, appropriate organisations, groups and forums to maintain a high level of awareness within the community of the housing needs of young people leaving care. This may e.g. involve contributing to relevant training programmes. c) Contribute to the development and review of joint working protocols with Housing Departments and Surrey Children s Services. 9. General a) The maintenance of good and effective working relationship with colleagues, other voluntary agencies and partner agencies b) To participate in staff development and training courses as and when required. c) To contribute to the Rainer Surrey 16plus Services planning process. d) To be able to be flexible and be able to attend evening appointments when required e) Any other relevant duties as may be required from time to time. NB. This Job Description is intended as a guide to the post holder s role and responsibilities and not as a definitive list.

4 RAINER SURREY Floating Support Service Floating Support Worker Person Specification CRITERIA ESSENTIAL DESIRABLE HOW ASSESSED (,E)* Qualifications/Experience Knowledge Previous relevant experience. Relevant qualification Experience of Floating Support or Housing Management (preferably special needs) Direct work experience with young people aged Presentation Knowledge and Experience Ability to write clear, precise reports. Ability to express self clearly. An awareness and an understanding of the issues that affect care leavers and other vulnerable young people An understanding of work of statutory or voluntary agencies involved with vulnerable young people in the community. Good oral presentation skills. An understanding of the Homelessness Act 2001 and the Children (Leaving Care) Act An understanding of the requirements under the Supporting People initiative. An understanding of tenancy legislation An understanding of the welfare benefits system.,e,e

5 Skills and Abilities Other requirements Ability to develop positive working relationships with young people. Ability to liaise effectively with other professionals and agencies. Ability to work in a team setting and offer support to other team members. Ability to accept supervision, to evaluate own performance and learn through experience An understanding of and commitment to, equal opportunities and anti-discriminatory practice. Ability to drive/current driving licence and have own transport. Able to work flexible and unsociable hours when required. General organisational and administrative skills. Risk assessment skills Health and safety in the work environment * A = Application I = Interview E = Exercise