Project Worker (Complex Needs)

Central Recruitment is currently recruiting for two Project Worker Complex Needs, to work in the Lewisham area. The service is based on 3 main hubs, offering support and housing management to 86 units across 11 separate sites. The clients are individuals with complex needs including mental ill health, substance use and offending behaviour.

The successful candidates will be required to work 37.5 hours per week, working Monday - Sunday on a rota basis, covering early (9.30AM - 5:30PM) and late (2.30PM - 10.30PM) shifts. You'll work one weekend in every four. Temporary cover is required for approximately 1 - 2 months. The pay rate for this role is £14.85 per hour, with £1.79 holiday pay, totalling £16.64 per hour.

In this position, you will be required to:

• Hold a caseload of 8-10 key clients and conduct regular key working sessions resulting in Support Plans that identify their long term goals and short-term objectives to meet these goals.
• Complete comprehensive risk and needs assessments.
• Support clients to work towards gaining greater independence through participation in the service, organisation and community.
• Facilitate group activities within the service in response to identified client need or as part of a project wide programme of group work.
• Work with clients to identify activities that they would like to take part in to prepare them for independence and move through.
• Support clients that are ready to move into work, education or training by assisting them to access suitable courses or placements.
• Carry out room and building checks and ensure that issues are reported and addressed in a timely fashion.
• Be responsible for the housing management of 1 property and to be the Duty Officer for the duty at 1 service.
• Contribute to the projects income through the minimisation of void loss and arrears.
• Ensure key clients income is maximised by accessing appropriate benefits.
• Monitor rent accounts and address arrears with clients before they build up.
• Publicise voids, prepare void rooms for letting and process referrals by carrying out initial needs assessments and interviews in a timely manner.
• Minimise risks to clients, staff and others by identifying, reporting and following up any safeguarding concerns.
• Contribute to effective service delivery and evaluation by ensuring that all relevant files and recording systems are up to date.

To apply for this role candidates must have:

• Experience of working with people experiencing mental health problems and other complex needs.
• Understanding of the Recovery Model, and the ability to engage and motivate people to move towards independence and inclusion.
• Understanding of safeguarding issues and the ability to undertake comprehensive risk assessments related to this.
• Ability to create and deliver SMART action plans with clients through high quality risk and needs assessment.
• Knowledge of Housing Management as applied to a residential setting, and an understanding of the rights and responsibilities associated with various forms of tenure including excluded licenses.
• Ability to work in partnership with external stakeholders, particularly community mental health services and/or substance use services.
• Level of numeracy sufficient to carry out tasks such as budgeting with clients, calculating benefit entitlements and monitoring rent payments.

Candidates must confirm their interest as soon as possible, with interviews shortly after and the appointed candidate expected to start as soon as possible.

Further requirements:

• Current valid right to work in the UK.
• Minimum 12 months’ of paid experience in a front line social care role within the last 3 years (unless recruitment criteria states otherwise).
• A fully enhanced DBS either registered on the DBS update service or issued within the last 12 months, or willingness to apply for one through Central (at a cost of £60).
• Employment or education history to cover the last 5 years which can be verified through the referencing process.

How to apply:

If you feel that you fully meet the above outlined criteria for this role and would like to apply for this post, please forward your CV for consideration.

Please note the outlined experience is the 'minimum' first stage criteria, and we will therefore be unable to consider your application unless you are able to demonstrate a relevant work history in line with this position.