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- Tasks: Support vulnerable individuals in their journey towards independence and manage daily administrative tasks.
- Company: Riverside is a leading not-for-profit housing association dedicated to transforming lives and communities.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, 28 days holiday, flexible working, and investment in your personal development.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while working in a supportive and inclusive environment.
- Qualifications: Experience with vulnerable people and a caring, resilient attitude are essential; lived experience is a plus.
- Other info: Flexible hours required; travel to different properties may be necessary.
The predicted salary is between 26549 - 27723 £ per year.
Job Description
Job Title: Independent Living Support Worker
Contract Type: Permanent
Salary: £26,549.63 Per Annum, Pro Rata (£27,722.51 is achieved after 18 months successful performance in the role) Per Annum, Pro Rata
Working Hours: 30 hours per week
Working Pattern: 2 week shift pattern between 9am and 8pm Monday to Sunday
Location: Eden Rural Foyer, Penrith, Cumbria.
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 an Independent Living Support Worker
You will be working from one of our supported services providing 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
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 pension
- 28 days holidays plus bank holidays (pro rata)
- Flexible working options available
- Investment in your learning, personal development and technology
- A wide range of benefits
Diversity 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 be considered
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 (e.g. family/other support providers), where appropriate
- Organising and carrying out regular planned reviews of support and risk plans, or following an incident/significant change in a customer’s circumstances
- Engaging customers to meet agreed outcomes and develop life skills
- Assisting customers with day-to-day support and tenancy-related matters
- Identifying and promoting opportunities for employment, education and training and supporting customers to remove barriers to accessing these opportunities
- Signposting customers to appropriate external support services, including interventions such as food banks and other community resources
- Supporting customers to be ‘tenancy ready’ to enable successful move on
- Supporting customers to be financially independent through budgeting plans and maximising income
- Supporting and monitoring customers’ healthcare needs, ensuring appropriate contact with healthcare professionals
- Empowering customers to move towards self-management of their medication by following the medication procedure
- Leading on support initiatives including Group Work
- Ensure the safety of our customers by following local safeguarding procedures, recognizing and acting on any significant risk, and escalating appropriately
- Record and update clear, factual, accurate, strengths based customer information on the local or appropriate digital platform
Service Delivery
- Facilitate the referral process into the service and assess potential new customers
- Contribute to the delivery of a housing management service, including income collection and providing customers with tenancy-related support
- Work with customers to maintain a safe environment by reporting repairs and health and safety concerns
- Clean and prepare rooms as appropriate
- Resolve difficult and challenging situations in a sensitive and informed way, balancing the needs of the individual with responsibilities for the safety of the service
- Develop and maintain local partnerships to provide a holistic range of support for customer
- Carry out day-to-day administration and operational duties
- Other Information:
- You will be required to work flexible hours to meet customer and business needs, which may not include normal office hours
- You will be required to travel to different properties within the defined area as and when required
- Use the Lone Worker system as and when necessary
- Ensure customers are safe at all times – carrying out all of your duties within Riverside’s Policy and Procedure Policy and Procedure framework e.g. health & safety, safeguarding, dignity at work, GDPR opportunities, cash handling, etc
- Deliver your role in line with Riverside company values – “Our Riverside Way”
- Participate in team meetings, attend regular supervisions and reflecting practice sessions
- Undertake regular training and take responsibility for continuous development to enable you to deliver your role safely
- From time to time you may be required to undertake additional duties and responsibilities in consultation with your Line Manager
Person specification
Essential
- An understanding of the barriers faced by vulnerable and diverse customer groups and individuals with complex needs
- Experience of delivering structured support and risk management
- Be a team player with a caring, empathetic, flexible and have a resilient, can-do attitude
- Previous experience in positively resolving incidents
- Demonstrate initiative and confidence to make and act on decisions
- Competent administrative and IT skills (to be able to produce reports and other communications)
Desirable
- Knowledge of Psychological or Trauma Informed approaches to support
- Experience of working in challenging environments with the ability to plan, prioritise, organise tasks to achieve results
- Knowledge of current benefit systems
- Experience of working in a care and support environment
About Us
Riverside is one of the UK’s leading not-for-profit social housing and regeneration organisations, owning or managing around 75,000 homes from Irvine to Kent. We are a leading provider of supported housing services, particularly for those affected by homelessness, and our track record of transforming lives and revitalising neighbourhoods dates back over 90 years. We have plans to build over 15,000 affordable homes over the next decade.
Our Values and Behaviours
Creating an Inclusive Environment #J-18808-Ljbffr
Independent Living Support Worker employer: Riverside
Contact Detail:
Riverside Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Independent Living Support Worker
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the principles of Psychologically Informed approaches and Trauma Informed Care. Understanding these concepts will not only help you in your role but also demonstrate to us that you are committed to providing the best support for our customers.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the social care sector, especially those who work with vulnerable populations. Engaging with others in the field can provide insights into best practices and may even lead to valuable connections that could benefit your application.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your resilience and empathy during any informal conversations or interviews. Share personal experiences or stories that highlight your ability to connect with and support individuals facing challenges, as this aligns with our values at Riverside.
✨Tip Number 4
Be prepared to discuss how you would handle challenging situations. Think of examples from your past experiences where you successfully resolved conflicts or supported someone in need, as this will illustrate your capability to thrive in this role.
We think you need these skills to ace Independent Living Support Worker
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience, especially any work with vulnerable individuals or in support roles. Use specific examples to demonstrate your skills and achievements that align with the job description.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for supporting vulnerable people and how your personal experiences may relate to the role. Mention your understanding of the challenges faced by these individuals and how you can contribute positively.
Showcase Your Values: Riverside values inclusivity and empathy. Make sure to reflect these values in your application by discussing how you embody them in your previous roles or personal experiences.
Proofread and Edit: Before submitting your application, carefully proofread your documents for any spelling or grammatical errors. A polished application shows attention to detail and professionalism, which is crucial for this role.
How to prepare for a job interview at Riverside
✨Show Your Empathy
As an Independent Living Support Worker, empathy is key. Be prepared to share examples of how you've supported vulnerable individuals in the past. Highlight your understanding of their challenges and how you can help them rebuild their lives.
✨Demonstrate Resilience
This role can be tough at times, so it's important to show that you can handle challenging situations. Discuss any experiences where you've had to remain calm and focused under pressure, and how you managed to support others during difficult times.
✨Familiarise Yourself with Relevant Policies
Understanding safeguarding procedures and trauma-informed care principles is crucial. Before the interview, brush up on these topics and be ready to discuss how you would apply them in your role to ensure the safety and well-being of customers.
✨Prepare Questions for Them
Interviews are a two-way street. Prepare thoughtful questions about the team dynamics, support systems in place, and how success is measured in this role. This shows your genuine interest in the position and helps you assess if it's the right fit for you.
