At a Glance
- Tasks: Support individuals experiencing homelessness and create personalised care plans.
- Company: Homeless Oxfordshire, dedicated to making a difference in people's lives.
- Benefits: 26 days annual leave, flexible working, retail discounts, and life assurance.
- Other info: Join a dynamic team and enjoy rewarding experiences while facing challenges.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by helping others regain control of their lives.
- Qualifications: Empathy, communication skills, and experience in support work or volunteering.
The predicted salary is between 28800 - 42000 £ per year.
About you:
Your friends know you as empathetic, compassionate, and non-judgemental. Employers view you as professional, personable, and a good communicator who is able to prioritise and deal with challenging situations. You are able to inspire and motivate people to take action and improve themselves. You see yourself as self-aware with a strong degree of emotional intelligence and you want to make a difference in the lives of others. Perhaps you are already aware of the challenges faced by people experiencing homelessness and understand how to support them. You may have gained this knowledge as a volunteer, through a previous job, or from your personal lived experience. If all this sounds like you then you could make a great addition to our fantastic support team here at Homeless Oxfordshire.
About The Role:
We are recruiting for two vacancies within this service. As an advocate for our clients who may experience homelessness as a result of a hospital visit, we will expect you to lead on the case management of these clients. You will work in partnership with other agencies to create holistic, caring and personalised support plans for them. Our clients usually have a range of support needs that might impact their experience of homelessness. This includes mental health problems, social isolation, challenging behaviour, finance and debt, alcohol and drug abuse and you will be working with them to achieve outcomes that include move on. You will ensure their voices are heard and make them aware of available support to them including maximising this support. It is important to let you know that at times this role is tough, but most of the time it is very rewarding when you see the difference you make in the lives of others.
Main Responsibilities Of The Job:
- To be part of a team running a new and dynamic service assessing and managing risk for individuals and in the service.
- Ensure the effective delivery of high quality care, support and housing management according to Homeless Oxfordshire policies and procedures.
- To work in partnership with other agencies to ensure the delivery of holistic wrap around support.
- To work in partnership with Connection Support Step provision and Out of Hospital Team.
- To work with other agencies to provide client centered support & risk management plans for clients with complex needs to identify work towards a suitable move on option within 6 weeks.
- To be a supportive and effective part of the team working as part of a rota including evenings and weekends.
- Report any safeguarding concerns without delay in line with procedures.
- To make and maintain Housing Benefit claims.
- Manage challenging situations in line with procedures and to ensure the safety of yourself and others.
- Ensure that IT systems are updated as required and concise record keeping is completed promptly.
- Maintain positive relationships with clients, relatives, carers, professionals, commissioners, contractors and the local community.
- To undertake any other duties that can be reasonably required to meet the operational needs of Homeless Oxfordshire.
- Comply with Homeless Oxfordshire’s policies and procedures.
- Contribute to a positive working environment in which equality and diversity are valued and staff are enabled to do their best.
- Contribute to the work of the broader team.
About Us:
We are an open door for people experiencing homelessness whose lives have been shaped by trauma and disadvantage; providing safety, stability and support when it is needed most. We deliver this support across Oxfordshire by providing a range of accommodation with access to high quality support, offering a safe and welcoming space for people to take control of their own lives. We are an accredited Oxford Living Wage employer, and benefits to the role include: annual leave starting at 26 days (excluding bank holidays), flexible working, enhanced benefits with qualifying service, retail discounts with our Homeless Oxfordshire Benefits Hub, and life assurance up to four times your salary and a £250 bonus if you successfully refer someone as a new colleague through our Employee Referral Scheme as a thanks from us!
Open To: People wanting to work weekends. This role is a shift and rota'd role that includes weekends, bank holidays, early and late days.
What’s Next: Have a look at the job description to find out more about the role and apply on our website. Please be aware that this role is subject to an enhanced DBS disclosure check and will be undertaken for the successful candidate. We reserve the right to close this advert early if we identify a suitable candidate before the advertised closing date.
Senior Support Worker (STEP) in Oxford employer: Homeless Oxfordshire
Homeless Oxfordshire is an exceptional employer that prioritises the wellbeing and professional growth of its staff. Working at O'Hanlon House in Oxford offers a supportive and collaborative work culture, where you will have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the lives of residents while receiving ongoing training and development. With a strong commitment to person-centred care, we foster an environment that encourages innovation and compassion, making it a rewarding place to build your career.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Support Worker (STEP) in Oxford
✨Dive into Local Community Groups
Social work thrives on community connections, so get involved in local groups or forums specific to your interests. Whether it’s volunteering at local shelters or joining community action boards, these are great ways to boost your visibility and make direct contacts that could lead to opportunities like the one at Homeless Oxfordshire.
✨Attend Social Work Events and Workshops
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences in social work. These events are fantastic for meeting professionals in the field, learning about emerging trends, and spotting job openings. Plus, you might just bump into someone from Homeless Oxfordshire!
✨Showcase Your Passion and Expertise
Use platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn to share your journey and insights into the social work sector. Whether it’s writing about your experiences or sharing relevant articles, this helps to establish you as an engaged professional. Potential employers, like Homeless Oxfordshire, will notice your enthusiasm!
✨Leverage Your Network
Don’t hesitate to reach out to professors, mentors, or even past colleagues who are in social work. They might have inside knowledge about openings at Homeless Oxfordshire or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Support Worker (STEP) in Oxford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let us see your passion for social work shine through! Talk about the experiences that made you want to pursue this career—whether it’s volunteering, personal experiences, or academic projects. We want to know why this field matters to you.
Emphasise Relevant Qualifications:Make sure your CV highlights any relevant qualifications, like degrees in social work or certifications like a DBS check. If you've done any workshops or training, don’t forget to include those as well. We're keen to see your commitment to your professional development!
Detail Your Experience with Clients:Since this is a hands-on field, detailing any direct experience you have with clients is crucial. Whether it's internships, volunteer roles, or previous jobs, highlight those experiences in your CV to show us you've got the practical skills necessary for the job!
Tailor Your Application to Homeless Oxfordshire:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Homeless Oxfordshire! Research our mission and values, and refer to them in your cover letter. This shows us that you understand our work and are genuinely interested in being a part of our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Homeless Oxfordshire
✨Understanding the Role of Empathy
In social work, understanding and demonstrating empathy is key. Be prepared to share personal experiences or scenarios where you effectively showed compassion and support. This helps show that you genuinely care about the well-being of others, which is crucial in social work.
✨Demonstrating Knowledge of Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with the frameworks and models used in social work, such as the Strengths-Based Approach or the Ecological Perspective. Be ready to discuss how these frameworks apply to your work, especially if you can tie them into real-world examples or case studies you've encountered.
✨Showcasing Your Multi-Disciplinary Skills
In a full-time social work role, you'll often collaborate with healthcare professionals, educators, and law enforcement. Be prepared to describe your teamwork experiences and how you've effectively communicated with other disciplines to achieve the best outcomes for clients.
✨Preparing for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical social work situations, such as dealing with a crisis or managing a complex case. Think through your thought process for these scenarios beforehand, considering how you'd assess the situation and what steps you'd take, as this demonstrates your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
