1

Job Information Pack

Project Support Officer

TAFF/409

2

Advert We are looking for a Support Officer to work within a hostel environment with young women who are facing a number of different challenges in life including:- *Pregnancy/parenting *Drug, alcohol, substance misuse * Homelessness * Domestic Violence * Refugees The purpose of this post is to provide housing related and other support which promotes independent living. You should be experienced in working with a vulnerable client group and be able to demonstrate the competencies required to work on your own initiative within a busy hostel environment.

3

4

About Taff

Our Head Office is located in Canton, Cardiff, within easy reach of our Tenants. As an ‘anchor’ organisation, Taff has always tried to create inclusive communities, building on people’s strengths and abilities. We are here to support and encourage innovative and creative solutions driven by our people – customers and staff.

We continue to develop new Social Housing, and invest in our existing stock. But we also work with individuals and communities to develop their resilience, aspirations and ambitions.

Taff is about nurturing ‘whole places’, which are kind, inclusive, energetic and creative.

We have committed to ‘Build Foundations for Better Futures’ in our plan which takes us to 2022. Our ambitions are to: • BUILD A REPUTATION FOR DELIVERING GREAT SERVICE & INNOVATION – we want our customers to value our services, and think of new, more efficient ways to work with them •BUILD HOMES & COMMUNITIES – we will build at least 50 homes each year, and promote safe, cohesive communities • BUILD RESILIENCE AND ASPIRATIONS – we will work with people to find their strengths, and help them achieve what’s important to them. We will give them tools to cope independently • BUILD A GREAT PLACE TO WORK - we want people to feel part of Taff, and to take leadership roles wherever they are in the organisation • BUILD FOUNDATIONS FOR BUSINESS SUCCESS – if we want to be innovative and use technology to help us grow, we need to ensure all our systems work well – financial, IT, document management etc. • BUILD COMMERCIAL CAPACITY – healthy surpluses allow us to build homes and to try out new ventures; research and development will underpin all new business ideas We recognise that our success depends on the quality, skills and commitment of the people who work for us. We are committed to equality and embrace diversity, and welcome applications from all.

5

The Job - Project Support Officer Responsible to: Project Manager Purpose of the post: To provide support to the residents living at the hostel, both individually and in groups, in the acquisition of independent living skills. To assist residents to move to independent accommodation. To provide floating support to residents in Taff’s own move on accommodation.

Main Functions:

Acting as a key worker and providing support to residents to assist them to achieve independent living, jointly managing Individual Support Plans with residents.

Working closely with residents on identifying needs arising out of the Individual Support Planning process.

Supporting residents in securing suitable permanent housing. Working in partnership with the Project Manager and colleagues to promote and maintain

the smooth and efficient running of the project in line with the Association’s policies and procedures.

Providing an on-call service for the projects and other Taff Housing Association projects. To line manage Project Assistants based at the project.

Key duties: Resident Support

Assessing residents for suitability of admission to the project according to the Association’s allocations and assessment policies and procedures.

Assessing residents’ support needs, providing the appropriate support needed and arrange additional support from other agencies where necessary.

In conjunction with each resident, developing, managing and reviewing their Support Plans with goals aimed at independent living.

Ensuring each resident receives advice on Housing Benefit and other welfare benefits in order to assist residents in maximising their income.

Ensuring each resident has access to advice on money management and debt counselling. Providing advice and support to residents in securing suitable permanent accommodation. Providing advice and support to residents moving into suitable permanent accommodation,

assisting with preparation for the move and settling into the new property and community. Providing residents with advice on accessing training, employment, leisure opportunities and

independent living skills, in line with the Individual Support Plan. Providing advocacy on behalf of the resident where appropriate.

Staffing

To line manage Project Assistants based at the projects in line with the Association’s policy and procedure.

6

Working as part of the team ensuring delivery of support to residents living at the hostel, which will include passing on information to the Manager and colleagues, ensuring all parties are kept up to date on relevant issues.

Developing links and good working relationships with outside statutory and voluntary agencies. In particular, those offering support to young single women for example Social Services, Probation Service, Inroads, Cardiff Women’s Aid.

Working creatively with other colleagues in developing an appropriate, resident-centred life skills package for the Association.

Attending regular team meetings, issues meetings and other meetings as required. Attending relevant training and NVQ training as required.

Administration

Providing and maintaining information packs for residents relating to welfare benefits, life skills, training, employment, leisure activities, community resources, etc.

Developing and sustaining good working relationships with colleagues at the Project and with other colleagues within the Association.

Processing housing benefit claims and housing applications; producing supporting letters and support plans; to facilitate allocation and resident meetings and to report maintenance problems, record financial transactions and write reports as required on a day to day basis.

Undertaking any other duties as may be required within the Project. *This job description is indicative of the range of current duties and responsibilities for the post. It is not comprehensive. This post is expected to develop overtime with the skills and knowledge of the post holder and it is essential therefore, that it is regarded with a degree of flexibility, so that changing needs and circumstances can be met. All changes will be discussed with the post holder.

7

The Person – Knowledge/Skills/Experience Experience & Knowledge

Understanding of working with young people leaving care or leaving home for the first time. Good working knowledge of Housing Benefit and other welfare benefits

Desirable: Support work in a Housing, voluntary agency or social services field. Experience of working with young people leaving care or leaving home for the first time. A knowledge of supported housing issues.

Skills and Aptitude

Ability to demonstrate excellent communication skills, both verbal and written Excellent standard of literacy and numeracy Good administrative and I.T. (including Word, Excel and Outlook) Ability to sustain a professional relationship with residents, colleagues and other agencies

The Person – Characteristics Personal Qualities

Commitment to the values of the Association A flexible and innovative approach to issues and problems, and a positive approach to

change. Willingness and commitment to working shifts according to the staff rota. This will

include participating in the on call rota. Ability to drive and access to your own transport Desirable: Ability to communicate in Welsh or a relevant community language

Diversity To encourage individuals to value diversity and challenge behaviour which undermines the

ethos of equality.

Demonstrate and respond to the diverse requirements and needs of individuals

8

Conditions of Service Salary: £22,229 - £23,604 per annum

Contract Type Permanent

Working Week You will be required to work 35 hours a week. Varied shifts to be worked across Monday to Friday between 8am and 10pm. Please note you may be expected to work extra shifts should the hostel require cover.

Annual Leave 25 days annual leave (extra 1 day leave after 5 and 10 years’ service – total of 27 days) plus 4 extra statutory days plus 8 bank holidays

Location Supported Housing Scheme

Criminal Records Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Check will be necessary for the successful applicant, and appointment will not be confirmed before a satisfactory disclosure is received.

References:

Two satisfactory professional references covering the last 3 years employment; including one from your current employer. (Family members cannot provide references)

Probationary Period: 6 month

To apply for this post and to view all our current vacancies please visit http://www.taffhousing.co.uk/vacancy/. Closing Date: Thursday 25th July 2019

Interviews: Wednesday & Thursday 31st July and 1st August 2019

9