Job Title : Support Worker (Supported Housing)
Contract Type : Permanent
Salary : £25,965.41 per annum (£27,112.48 per annum is achieved after 18 months successful performance in the role)
Working Hours : 37.5 hours per week
Working Pattern : 7 day rota (shifts include 7.15am - 3.15pm or 1.30pm - 9.30pm) and alternate full weekends plus some bank holidays
Location : Old Tea Warehouse, High Wycombe
If you share our values and are excited about making a significant impact at Riverside, please ensure you attach a current CV and covering letter. At Riverside we recruit to potential not just on skills and experience, so we encourage you to apply even if you don't meet all the essential criteria on the job description.
The difference you will make as a Support Worker
This role is based at Old Tea Warehouse in High Wycombe.
Old Tea Warehouse is a medium-high risk supported accommodation service for vulnerable customers aged 18-65. This is a fast-paced, dynamic environment where customers have experienced homelessness and may have complex needs such as substance misuse, mental health, history of offending, etc.
You will provide support to our customers in a variety of ways. For example, connecting them with employability coaches and other support agencies, helping them manage their money, signing up for benefits or to move on to a more permanent home.
It will be your job to help boost their confidence and support them on their journey as they rebuild their lives. Through all of this you will need to keep records of everything, so there is some admin to do. At times this role is tough, but most of the time it can be incredibly rewarding. You will need to be resilient, empathetic, and able to leave your work at work and not take it home with you.
About you
We are looking for someone with :
- Experience of working with vulnerable people
- Experience of delivering structured support and risk management
- To be a team player with a caring and empathetic nature with a resilient, can-do attitude, able to work as part of a team
- An understanding of supporting vulnerable people – this could include having your own lived experience of homelessness or drug or alcohol addiction.
- Ability to work flexible hours to meet customer and business needs, which may not include normal office hours and may include lone working
Interviews will take place on 13th and 17th January 2025.
Why Riverside?
At Riverside, we’re a housing association with a difference – enhancing the everyday for all our customers. For 90 years, we’ve been revitalising neighbourhoods and supporting communities by providing the homes they need to live full, fulfilling and rewarding lives.
We have a portfolio of over 75,000 affordable residential and retirement homes across the UK. Our work ranges from homelessness services to social care, employment support to retirement living, and we need the best people on board to help us.
Working with us, you’ll enjoy :
Competitive pay & generous pension28 days holidays plus bank holidaysFlexible working options availableInvestment in your learning, personal development and technologyA wide range of benefitsDiversity and Inclusion at Riverside :
We are inclusive. At Riverside, we value diversity in all its forms. We foster a workplace where all individuals are respected, empowered, and heard. Our commitment to inclusivity drives our success and enriches the lives of our customers and colleagues.
Riverside is a Disability Confident Employer and operates a Guaranteed Interview Scheme for any applicant who declares they have a disability. If the applicant meets the minimum requirements for the role (as set out in the role profile and / or person specification) they will be guaranteed an interview.
Applications may close before the deadline, so please apply early to avoid disappointment.
Role Profile
Supporting Customers :
We use Psychologically Informed approaches and Trauma Informed Care principles to support our customers to develop new ways of thinking and to make steps towards independence, by :
Leading on Co-producing bespoke support and move-on plans, involving key stakeholders (. family / other support providers), where appropriateOrganising and carrying out regular planned reviews of support and risk plans, or following an incident / significant change in a customer’s circumstancesEngaging customers to meet agreed outcomes and develop life skillsAssisting customers with day-to-day support and tenancy-related mattersIdentifying and promoting opportunities for employment, education and training and supporting customers to remove barriers to accessing these opportunitiesSignposting customers to appropriate external support services, including interventions such as food banks and other community resourcesSupporting customers to be ‘tenancy ready’ to enable successful move onSupporting customers to be financially independent through budgeting plans and maximising incomeSupporting and monitoring customers’ healthcare needs, ensuring appropriate contact with healthcare professionalsEmpowering customers to move towards self-management of their medication by following the medication procedureLeading on support initiatives including Group WorkEnsure the safety of our customers by following local safeguarding procedures, recognizing and acting on any significant risk, and escalating appropriatelyRecord and update clear, factual, accurate, strengths based customer information on the local or appropriate digital platformService Delivery :
Facilitate the referral process into the service and assess potential new customersContribute to the delivery of a housing management service, including income collection and providing customers with tenancy-related supportWork with customers to maintain a safe environment by reporting repairs and health and safety concernsClean and prepare rooms as appropriateResolve difficult and challenging situations in a sensitive and informed way, balancing the needs of the individual with responsibilities for the safety of the serviceDevelop and maintain local partnerships to provide a holistic range of support for customerCarry out day-to-day administration and operational dutiesOther Information :You will be required to work flexible hours to meet customer and business needs, which may not include normal office hoursYou will be required to travel to different properties within the defined area as and when requiredUse the Lone Worker system as and when necessaryEnsure customers are safe at all times - carrying out all of your duties within Riverside’s Policy and Procedure Policy and Procedure framework . health & safety, safeguarding, dignity at work, GDPR opportunities, cash handling, etcDeliver your role in line with Riverside company values – “Our Riverside Way”Participate in team meetings, attend regular supervisions and reflecting practice sessionsUndertake regular training and take responsibility for continuous development to enable you to deliver your role safelyFrom time to time you may be required to undertake additional duties and responsibilities in consultation with your Line ManagerPerson specification
Essential
An understanding of the barriers faced by vulnerable and diverse customer groups and individuals with complex needsExperience of delivering structured support and risk managementBe a team player with a caring, empathetic, flexible and have a resilient, can-do attitudePrevious experience in positively resolving incidentsDemonstrate initiative and confidence to make and act on decisionsCompetent administrative and IT skills (to be able to produce reports and other communications)Desirable
Knowledge of Psychological or Trauma Informed approaches to supportExperience of working in challenging environments with the ability to plan, prioritise, organise tasks to achieve resultsKnowledge of current benefit systemsExperience of working in a care and support environment