Complex Needs Support Worker Brent £26,767.68 per annum Full Time Our client’s refuge provide Safety, Hope and Purpose for victims/survivors immediately fleeing Domestic Abuse. Our Specialist Refuge offer holistic support to empower women with support needs to lead their recover and gain the skills and confidence to move on safely. The Complex needs support worker oversees the day to day running of the service, providing emotional and practical support and advocacy to the Women accessing the service, supporting them to link in with a wider support network including and not limited to Drug and Alcohol service, organisations who support sex workers, mental health treatment, social services. Duties & Responsibilities: To provide a welcoming supportive, safe environment for women who face homelessness. Promote a trauma informed, empowering, anti-racist culture ensuring that women’s with multiple support needs are at the forefront of service delivery. Casework Understand and Comply with Children and Adult safeguarding legislation Provide domestic abuse support and risk management including DASH To provide high quality assessments in line with a psychologically informed framework that is trauma informed and puts recovery first focusing on the individuals strengths alongside there care and support needs. To work with women in co-producing a ‘Safety Plan’ and ‘Strengths and Aspirations Plan’, with a focus on the individuals’ strengths to meet their chosen goals. To develop links with and then work with a range of other agencies including drug and alcohol services, sex work organisations, mental health teams, DWP, voluntary agencies, foodbanks (this is not an exhaustive list) in order to both safeguard and promote the welfare and/or opportunities of our service users. Ensure that Women’s have access to emergency supplies including basics of clothing and toiletries Support Women to maximise their income. Recognising and managing challenging behaviours with a resilient approach ensuring it is swiftly and safely deescalated. Move on Support Alongside the identified support network make appropriate referrals to local authority supported housing pathways and/or housing applications in identified safe areas. Undertake Care act assessments and work with partner agencies to identify suitable sustainable move on options especially where independent living is not appropriate. Apply for move on grants and support. Ensure that whilst in the service women are gaining skills and confidence to move on more independently including facilitating cooking, cleaning, simple maintenance and budgeting skills. Support and assist with logistical arrangements once move on has been identified. Building Management To oversee the day to day running of the service including daily, weekly and monthly Health and Safey checks and Fire safety checks. To work alongside the Housing Management Team and ensure repairs are logged and that the building is kept in a good standard and adheres to our psychologically informed physical environment (PIPE) standards. Facilitate access for contractors ensuring that the safety of the address and the women is not compromised. Ensure that Voids are turned around quickly, and Brent single Homelessness team are made aware. To accept and facilitate the welcome and booking in of women, ensuring that the women are aware of the licence agreement responsibilities and the safety within the service. Ensure that the housing management team are aware of all new service users and that Housing Benefit is completed immediately and that rent collection and service charge is set up. Ensure there are regular locality checks and hold positive relationships with neighbours to ensure that the building remains a safe and secure location. Recording and Administration Accurately record all information on our clients Case Management System INFORM in real time ensuring information is factual and SMART. Understanding the importance of confidentially and complying with organisation policies around GDPR and data protection. Keep accurate records of all Petty Cash and the services spending including where needed credit card spends. Working Together Lead on an activities programme within the service focused on fun and enjoyment to support with Women’s wellbeing and supporting our clients’ goals of bring Hope and Purpose. Facilitate regular house meetings bring all the women together. Work with the Volunteer team to bring in volunteer opportunities within the service. Skills / Knowledge: Good knowledge of welfare benefits and housing options and legislation related to statutory duty. Knowledge of health and safety relevant within a refuge setting. Knowledge and understanding of safeguarding issues and ability to address them appropriately. An ability to undertake person centered key working, support planning and risk assessments to maximise Service Users’ independence. A understanding of particular needs of women from diverse communities and the barriers to accessing support. Commitment to equal opportunities and to promoting service users’ rights, privacy, dignity, choice and control. Ability to liaise with external professionals to inform and develop Service Users’ support package. Ability to travel throughout the Borough of operation and further afield when needed. Please apply with your CV via the apply button