Caseworker

Job specification

Team:                           Casework

Location:                      Mainly at our partner sites in Kensington and Chelsea, however you will also be located at our office (Argon House, Argon Mews, London, SE6 1BJ) and there will be opportunities to work flexibly from home.

Duration:                      Permanent role

Reporting to:                Co-Head of Casework

Hours of work:              35 hours (5 days per week)

Salary:                           £30,000 – £31,500 per annum

Areas of responsibility

The post holder will be responsible for the following:

• Providing a specialist advice and advocacy service to the homeless guests of our services, which include partner day centres and night shelters through the winter season.
• Employing creative thinking and practices to ensure that guests are supported and motivated to achieve their goals.
• Attending appointments with guests occasionally when needed
• Referring and signposting guests to accommodation providers, health services and other relevant internal and external support services, as necessary
• Maintaining good communication with the Managers of our partnered Drop-in Centres, Glass Door colleagues and local statutory and non-statutory services.
• Attending meetings with the casework team, external service providers and partner organisations when required
• Collating statistics and outcome measurements of the casework service for both internal and external use
• Maintaining a well-organised and easily accessible administration system for the casework programme in line with relevant legislation (e.g. GDPR)
• Managing a small casework budget
• Undertaking any other duties, as required by the charity

Person Specification

Essential

• At least one year experience of working one-on-one and assessing the needs of homeless people or similar disadvantaged client groups
• Empathetic attitude to homeless and vulnerably housed people
• Up-to-date knowledge of the welfare issues and legislation affecting homeless people
• Knowledge of relevant support services available to homeless people, particularly in West London
• Confident approach to, and experience of, dealing with challenging behaviour
• Ability to maintain good relationships with colleagues and external service providers
• Highly organised with strong time-management skills
• Ability to keep clear and up-to-date case records
• Experience and competent in MS Office packages
• Ability to work independently and take the initiative to make important decisions
• Flexible and supportive team member with excellent communication skills
• Ability to adhere to and implement Health & Safety, HR and operational policies
• Understanding of and commitment to Equal Opportunities
• For night shelter caseworkers, willingness to work a minimum of one evening per week
• This post will require an enhanced DBS check prior and during employment

Desirable

• Ability to speak Polish, Romanian or other Eastern European languages
• Experience of working alongside volunteers

Other

• Ability to work flexibly and at various sites, as required
• Eligibility to work in the UK
• To be able to adhere and work within Glass Door’s safeguarding policy and procedures
• To participate in meetings, supervision meetings and in any trainings as required
• To be responsible for own’s professional development