Support Worker in Cambridge

Contract Type: Permanent

Salary: £27,136.07 Per Annum

Working Hours: 37.5 hours per week

Working Pattern: Working a rota Monday to Sunday between 7:30 to 22:00 including weekends and bank holidays

Location: Cambridge Youth Foyer, Cambridge

Application Requirements: Please ensure you attach a current CV and covering letter. If you share our values and are excited about making a significant impact at Riverside, we encourage you to apply even if you don't meet all the essential criteria. Please note that we will accept applications on the basis of any form of valid legal permission to work in the UK, but we will not be applying for further sponsorships.

The difference you will make as a Support Worker:

• You will be working from one of our supported services providing support to our customers in a variety of ways, such as 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.
• You will need to keep records of everything, so there is some admin to do.
• This role can be tough, but it can also be incredibly rewarding.
• You will need to be resilient, empathetic, and able to leave your work at work.

About you:

• 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 and a resilient, can-do attitude.
• 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.
• Competitive pay & generous pension.
• 25 days holidays plus bank holidays.
• 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. 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. We are a Disability Confident Employer and operate a Guaranteed Interview Scheme for any applicant who declares they have a disability. If the applicant meets the minimum requirements for the role, they will be guaranteed an interview.

Applications may close before the deadline, so please apply early to be considered.

Role Profile:

• Supporting Customers:

• 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, recognising 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.

• 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 customers.
• Carry out day-to-day administration and operational duties.

• 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 framework.
• 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).

• 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.