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Job Information Pack

Tenant Support Worker

TAFF/426

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Advert Taff are looking for a Tenant Support Worker to join the new Bridgend team. The service is designed to specially support individuals released from the secure estate with housing related issues, including those who are threatened with homelessness and those released with no fixed abode. One of the major changes implemented by the Housing (Wales) Act 2014 is the removal of a ‘priority need’ category for released prisoners with a local connection to an area. It is therefore more important than ever that resettlement support is provided at an early stage to prevent individuals from becoming homeless, thereby improving resettlement into society and reducing the risk of reoffending. This service builds on links with the private rental sector to secure appropriate housing for those released from prison threatened with homelessness with no fixed abode.

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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.

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The Job - Tenant Support Worker Responsible to: Team Manager (Cardiff and Bridgend) Purpose of the post: To work with people leaving custody to prevent them from becoming homeless, thereby improving their resettlement into society and reducing the risk of reoffending to reduce re-offending. To work with partners (Prison Resettlement Teams, Offender Managers and the Local Authority’s Housing Department) to improve the prison pathway

Main Functions:

Reduce the risk of becoming homeless or needing to move to institutional settings. Reduce reoffending Assist with feeling safe personally, within the home and the wider community. Develop skills which can maximise independent living. Reduce the use of substance misuse. Lessen the need for statutory and long term care intervention. Build support within the Local communities. Work towards goals and aspirations Improve day to day function of Prisoner Pathway

Key duties: Prisoner Pathway:

Reception stage: ensuring an assessment of housing need is completed for newly arrived prisoners and actioning any immediate housing needs

Pre-release: ensuring assessments are carried out 56 days prior to end of sentence, and identified actions relating housing needs upon release are initiated

Community stage: focusing on securing PRS accommodation, move-in, and resettlement Floating support: providing up to 6 months resettlement floating support once housed Reactive / crisis intervention: retaining details of the service users for up to a further 12

months to provide a reactive / crisis intervention should the service user require Other duties:

To offer support and guidance on tenancy related issues Ensure service user receive advice and guidance on welfare benefits To work with service users around rent arrears To ensure service users understand rights and responsibilities of anti-social behaviour, and

support them as required To work with service users and landlords to understand tenant / landlord rights and

responsibilities Provide housing advice to offenders at all stages of the prison pathway Build professional links with estate agents and private landlords Work with service users to identify affordable, suitable accommodation on release from the

secure estate Provide resettlement support to service users moving into a new property. Work to minimise social isolation. Create opportunities to enhance skills through employment, training or voluntary prospects.

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Ensure service users receive advice on maximising income / reducing debt. Facilitate access to healthcare services, encouraging health and wellbeing. Develop individual support plans and ensure service users receive appropriate support as

identified in their support plan. Work with partners across the borough to ensure a joined up approach to support Providing both emotional and practical support to service users, empowering them to work

towards independent living and integration into the wider community. Taking an active part in supervision and team meetings Developing and sustaining a professional relationship with colleagues. Completing all relevant administration as directed by line manager and in accordance with

Taff Housing Association, Local Authority and Welsh Government requirements. Providing statistical information to management as required. Working both autonomously and as part of a team. To report any public protection or POVA issues to the line manager To complete all related paperwork as directed by the line manager. Liaise with internal colleagues and external agencies to fulfil contract requirements. Apply health and safety procedures in line with the Association’s policies to all relevant

workplaces and work practices, including risk assessments and lone working. To comply with the Association’s policies and procedures. To undertake other duties as required.

*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.

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The Person – Knowledge/Skills/Experience Education

Desirable: Relevant qualification in counselling, Social Work, Probation, housing (or similar)

Experience & Knowledge Essential: Experience of support in housing, social work, probation or similar Experience of working with vulnerable people with complex needs Experience of working with homelessness Experience of risk assessment and management Knowledge of Psychologically Informed Environments, and practical ways in which this

can be implemented Good knowledge of housing benefit and other welfare benefits Awareness of landlord / tenant issues Knowledge of the prison pathway Knowledge of MAPPA, MARAC, and PPU Knowledge of the support planning process Desirable: Experience of working in an inner-city multi-cultural area Experience of working with offenders / ex-offenders Experience of working with substance misuse

Skills and Aptitude Essential: Ability to work under pressure and maintain a calm presence Ability to prioritise and manage workload Excellent administration skills, including use of IT Excellent written and verbal communication Excellent time management and prioritising skills A practical approach to the provision of support Ability to sustain a professional relationship with the client and colleagues Ability to work within risk management plans Ability to work on own initiative and in partnership with other members of staff. Ability to represent the organisation and network with other agencies and develop

relationships in a professional manner Ability to research and disseminate relevant information

The Person – Characteristics Personal Qualities

Essential: Commitment to the Associations values An understanding of and commitment to equal opportunities

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A flexible and innovative approach to problem solving Ability to drive and access to your own transport

Diversity

Essential: 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

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Conditions of Service Salary: £19,188 - £20,375 per annum

Contract Type Permanent

Working Week 35 hours a week, normally Monday - Friday Flexible working in accordance with our Work life Balance Policy

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 Bridgend

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; including one from your current employer. (Family members cannot provide references)

Probationary Period: 6 months

For further information about this role contact the People Services Team on 02920 259 173 Closing Date: Friday 11th October 2019 at 9.30am

Interviews: Tuesday & Wednesday 22nd /23rd October 2019

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