Part Time Case Worker - Harm Reduction

Outreach Case Worker – Strand Road, Derry/Londonderry

Permanent, Part‑time (27 hours per week). All shifts are rota based, including mornings, evenings and weekends.

Your new role:

To be a member of a multi‑disciplined team using holistic approaches to support Depaul service users. Working to a housing‑led, low‑threshold, harm‑reduction approach, where service users receive a high degree of support and advice. Depaul has a commitment to service‑user participation and to empowering our service users to manage their own lives.

The aim of the role is to support and signpost service users into services that will improve their housing, health and wellbeing while improving the service users\’ quality of life. This is achieved through the provision of engagement and individualised support plans, targeted interventions, signposting and group work. You will work proactively, form strong relationships and gain service users\’ trust, striving to provide the best possible service levels at all times.

Responsibilities

• Provide service‑user support in a person‑led manner that is both professional and respectful.
• Assess safety and wellbeing needs of the service user and develop plans which address and reduce identified risks.
• In partnership with service users, assess their needs and develop flexible, responsive support plans.
• Work with service users and relevant external agencies to deliver meaningful and effective key working.
• Support service users to integrate with their communities in line with good neighbourhood principles.
• Advocate on behalf of service users to achieve the best outcomes for them.
• Provide outreach work within the community based on service delivery needs.
• Ensure health‑and‑safety standards are met in accordance with Depaul’s policy and procedures.
• Undertake duties regarding overall health, safety, security and management of risk relevant to the service, utilising available security systems.
• Ensure completion of all relevant wellbeing and health‑and‑safety checks.
• Carry out service administration tasks such as upkeep of client records, financial transactions, internal and external reports, incident and accident management and other record‑keeping.
• Remain vigilant to IT and cyber risks and comply with Depaul’s IT Security policies.
• Contribute as a team player: take part in handovers, team meetings, core training, mentoring of volunteers and supporting others to ensure appropriate and consistent decision‑making.
• Maintain a professional manner, high‑quality standards of work in line with Depaul Values and ethos.

Qualifications & Experience

• Formal Level 3 qualification in a social care field (e.g. diploma in health and social care or equivalent).
• At least 2 years paid relevant work experience, or at least 3 years paid relevant experience plus 3 formal Level 2 qualifications (Math and English, e.g. GCSEs or NVQ).

Skills

• Good working knowledge of risk assessment and risk management processes.
• Good IT skills, including using IT systems to record client information.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to compile and present accurate written and electronic reports.

Knowledge

• Understanding of homelessness and the issues that can lead to homelessness.
• Understanding of what supports can be offered in homeless services to promote positive futures.
• Knowledge of working with needs assessment, key working and support planning for service users.
• Knowledge of statutory and voluntary sector resources available to people experiencing or at risk of homelessness.
• Understanding of the importance of health‑and‑safety standards in daily service delivery.
• Knowledge of relevant statutory and voluntary agencies and ability to network with all relevant bodies.
• Knowledge and willingness to work within Depaul’s vision, mission and values.

Circumstances

• Ability to work on a rota basis (7‑day week – mornings, evenings & weekends).
• Access to a car insured for business purposes during working hours and a valid driving licence.

Employee Benefits

• Enhanced Annual Leave – 35 days per year, increasing with length of service.
• Paid Sick Leave.
• Company maternity & paternity pay.
• Contributory Pension scheme.
• Health Cash Back & Rewards Plan.
• Christmas Savers club.
• Bluelight discount card.
• Many opportunities to learn and develop within the organisation.

Location

Strand Road, Derry/Londonderry, BT48 7AJ

Closing date for applications

Friday 20th January

Additional Information

This post is subject to an Enhanced Access NI check. Having a criminal record will not necessarily debar you from working with Depaul. This will depend on the nature of the position, together with the circumstances and background of your offences or other information on a disclosure certificate.

This post is subject to NISCC registration; if you do not hold a valid registration it must be completed within your probationary period.

Dependent on the number of applications, we may contact applicants before the closing date. Please check your spam/junk folders.