Specialist Support Officer

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.

Please note that whilst we will accept applications on the basis of any form of valid legal permission to work in the UK, we will be surrendering the Riverside Sponsorship licence, so for the avoidance of doubt, we are unable to apply for any further sponsorships whether on behalf of existing colleagues or candidates.

The difference you will make as a Specialist Support Officer:

We believe in providing care and support to our customers that will enable them to make informed decisions to improve their quality of life: this might be greater independence, better coping strategies or a richer network and sense of self achievement. You will be working from one of our supported services providing support to our customers in a variety of ways. This is a hybrid role that will see you leading on the upskilling of the team in your specialist area.

Some of your responsibilities will include:

• Undertaking group & one to one interventions with clients of a specialist nature (i.e. CBT informed interventions, psychoeducational groups or harm minimisation interventions)
• Providing a comprehensive support planning service to customers in line with the department’s policies, procedures and approach
• Making full use of IT & other technologies for appropriate tasks, including the use of word processing, spreadsheets, email etc
• Participating in cross-service initiatives & projects in relation to their specialist area (i.e. organisational training, reflective case management, WOW projects, peer support groups, etc.)
• Carrying out assessment to identify and prioritize needs
• Using SMART goal planning to provide needs led holistic support

About You:

We are looking for someone with:

• Relevant qualification to be eligible for registration with a professional body, i.e. HCPC, UKCP, BACP, etc
• Knowledge of specialist assessment tools, methods and case formulation.
• Knowledge of evidence based specialist interventions appropriate for mental health and community settings.
• Experience of undertaking customer assessments, support planning and key-working with a clear outcome focus
• Knowledge about recovery model, peer support and coproduction procedures.
• Experience working in community settings therapeutically, including assessments, designing interventions and demonstrating outcomes.
• Experience running therapeutic groups.
• Ability to react to crisis situations in a calm effective way.
• Basic level of IT skills and literacy
• Strong time management skills and ability to prioritise workload
• Ability to communicate effectively in writing including the preparation of letters reports & file notes
• Ability to contribute to effective team working
• Understanding of safeguarding procedures for children and adults

Why Riverside?

One Housing Group is now part of 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
• 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 avoid disappointment.

Role Profile:

Service Provision:

• Disseminate & advise the local & wider team on changes to best practice & new legislation in regard to their specialist area (i.e. amendments on ethical frameworks, new research findings and publications, change on procedures and shared best practice)
• Participate in cross-service initiatives & projects in relation to their specialist area (i.e. organisational training, reflective case management, WOW projects, peer support groups, etc.)
• Work on a rota basis, including out of office hours and sleep ins where necessary
• Comply with all relevant policies & procedures, including but not limited to: Safeguarding, Health & Safety, Customer Care, Equality & Diversity, Code of Conduct etc
• Carry out assessment to identify and prioritize needs
• Use SMART goal planning to provide needs led holistic support
• Develop and maintain positive links with key stakeholders
• Create an environment that promotes opportunities for customers to develop, learn and enable skills towards independence
• Where required, administer medication & carry out duty shifts
• Ensure appropriate records are maintained
• Ensure that the service complies with Riverside’s standing orders & financial regulations
• Adhere to Riverside’s confidentiality policies.

Customer Support:

• Undertake group & one to one interventions with clients of a specialist nature (i.e. CBT informed interventions, psychoeducational groups or harm minimisation interventions)
• Provide a comprehensive support planning service to customers in line with the department’s policies, procedures and approach
• Ensure customers are fully informed of their rights and responsibilities regarding the service, and are enabled and empowered to get involved in the running of the service through consultation and participation
• Set up and maintain customer files and ensure that accurate and up to date records are kept of support provided to customers in accordance with HCS policies including on the MPs IT system
• Make full use of IT & other technologies for appropriate tasks, including the use of word processing, spreadsheets, email etc
• Support customers to develop the necessary skills to live independently, and to access training, education and work

Person specification:

Knowledge, Skills and Experience:

• A relevant professional qualification in the area of expertise (i.e. Drug and alcohol, counselling, psychology, OT, nursing or social work or any other relevant qualifications)
• Level 3 Diploma, or willingness to work towards it (CQC Registered services)
• Knowledge and understanding of up-to-date legislation, government frameworks relevant to the customer group
• Understanding of safeguarding children and adults
• Knowledge of specialist assessment tools, methods and case formulation
• Knowledge of evidence-based specialist interventions appropriate for community settings
• Knowledge about recovery model, peer support and coproduction procedures.
• Demonstrable experience of working with vulnerable adults
• Experience of undertaking customer assessments, support planning and key-working with a clear outcome focus
• Experience working in community settings therapeutically, including assessments, designing interventions and demonstrating outcomes
• Experience of promoting Equality & Diversity
• Experience running therapeutic groups.
• Ability to represent OHG to other agencies and companies where necessary
• Strong time management skills and ability to prioritise workload
• Ability to communicate effectively in writing including the preparation of reports & file notes
• Ability to contribute to effective team working
• IT skills including use of Microsoft packages such as Word
• Ability to provide regular monitoring information as required
• Ability to react to crisis situations in a calm effective way

• Experience supervision medication
• Experience designing and providing training

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.