It is essential that you hold a current UK driving license and have a car for this role (expenses for mileage paid at 45p per mile, excluding home to work journey). Our mission is to help children and young people have a fair chance to be who they want to be. We do this by providing a safe home, increasing life skills and self-confidence, and improving emotional wellbeing and mental health. We are looking for an enthusiastic and motivated individual to join our West Sussex Transitional Housing team, providing safe, secure accommodation for young people aged 18-25, who have been, or are at risk of homelessness, whilst also delivering a support package to actively encourage them into education, training, employment or voluntary work. This is a dynamic and varied role; you will be passionate about being involved in the support and growth of young people This role will primarily involve lone working in the community. You will have the autonomy to manage your tasks and responsibilities independently and be part of a supportive team, keeping in regular contact and where necessary working together. You will receive an induction where you will work alongside an experienced member of the team before lone working. You will have your own caseload of young people, visiting them in their homes and supporting them in the community. You will contribute to the smooth and safe running of the service by providing consistency and reliability. You will have a calm, yet assertive manner, being able to handle potentially difficult situations. You will also support young people to safeguard themselves against abuse and risk.
* Experience relating to housing, support work, and/or working with young people at risk
* Experience of working proactively with a caseload of young people to enable them to achieve independent living.
* Knowledge of statutory and voluntary resources available to young people
* Knowledge of good safeguarding procedures in relation to young people and the ability to maintain effective professional boundaries.
* Demonstrated confidence and competence in recording notes/actions in service log, incident forms and health and safety check lists.
Skills and Abilities
* Ability to communicate clearly both verbally and in writing for appropriate recording of a resident's progression
* Ability to work autonomously, and use own initiative, as well as being part of a team.
* Ability to organise workload, take initiative and make decisions
* Ability to de-escalate volatile situations and manage challenging behaviour appropriately.
We help children and young people have a fair chance to be who they want to be. We do this by providing a safe home, increasing life skills and self-confidence, and improving emotional wellbeing and mental health. Each year, we support thousands of children and young people up to the age of 25 across Sussex and Surrey. We offer support in three service areas:
* Housing provision and sustaining accommodation
* Specialist information, advice and support
* Emotional wellbeing and mental health
We are a member of the YMCA Federation of England & Wales and are guided by their vision of 'transforming communities, so all young people can belong, contribute & thrive'. This vision reflects the original Christian foundation of the YMCA movement, but with a clear emphasis on being an inclusive organisation. Our values - we welcome all, we inspire, we support, and we speak out - guide us in all our actions. Why work for us? Our Benefits Health and Wellbeing
* Health Cash Plan with Health shield
Claim money back for dental, optical, physio costs, alongside access to mental health support, remote GP appointments and counsellors. Employee Assistance Programme with Health Assured Range of confidential support services available to you and your immediate family: - Telephone helplines available 24/7 - Formal counselling, either in person or telephone sessions - Online video counselling and online CBT Occupational Health We work with Apollo Direct who offer occupational health assessments to support staff with their health/wellbeing., In the event of your death, your nominated individual(s) will receive a one-off payment equivalent to x2 of your annual salary. Flexible Working patterns (role and service needs dependant) - Flexible working hours - Opportunities to work from home Maternity leave (Enhanced package - dependant Annual leave Incremental annual leave 27 days a year + bank holidays (pro-rated for part-time) After 5 years' service, increases by 2 days (pro-rated for part-time) Pension - A contributory pension scheme with Legal & General. Employees contribute a minimum of 4% of salary (you can opt out) and YMCA DownsLink Group will contribute 3% + 1% tax relief from the government. - Pension and financial advice appointments with Engage Wealth Management. Plus - Free Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check: You will need a DBS check to clear you to work with children and young people. We will help you with the application and cover the cost, including the Update Service subscription fee. - Long service awards - Cycle to Work Scheme - Blue Light Card - Company sick pay scheme