Housing First For Youth Specialist Support Worker

Job Title: Specialist Support Worker
Project: Housing First for Youth
Reports To: Service Manager
Salary: Points 23-26, £22,869 – £25,059 per annum.
Employee Benefits: Pension, Benenden Health, Health Shield, Death in Service Benefit, Generous Annual Leave Entitlement, Access to an extensive training calendar. 
Department: Homelessness Services 
Location: Greater Belfast Area: working across a range of communities to support young people.
Hours of Work: Rotational shift pattern (average 35 hours per week) including the requirement to work evenings, weekends and waking nights. Typically, the shift pattern is based on three 12.5 hour shifts (including breaks) per week.
Organisation Values: Our values are fundamental to how we work with clients and each other. We are driven by our values of being non-judgmental, existing to support our clients and meet their needs, being trustworthy and focused on ending homelessness and being dedicated to the people we support.

​​​Job Purpose: This is an exciting and dynamic service, providing bespoke interventions to a small group of six to eight Looked After Children aged 16-21 years, to enable them to live in safety and stability, and have a place to call home.

​​​​​​​Following an expansion of this service we now wish to recruit additional Specialist Support Workers to join our team.

The Specialist Support Worker will be responsible for delivering direct support to a small group of young people with complex needs. The young people will live in the community and the HFFY service will provide 24/7 support to ensure their safety, promote their stability, and build resilience to enable them to manage their tenancy.

The support interventions that are required are flexible and diverse. These may include supporting young people:  during episodes of poor mental health; whilst under the influence of substances or alcohol; with concerns regarding sexual exploitation; to build, maintain and feel safe in their home; to attend college or a work placement; to have fun and carry out activities. 

Essential Criteria
1. Experience of supporting Looked After Children or homeless and/or vulnerable adults to identify personal goals and meet person-centered targets while working through the process of change

2. Experience of working within a fast moving and challenging working environment in the areas of mental health, care for young people, alcohol and drug use, independent living support

3. Experience of using a high level or communication skills, both verbally and in writing, using Microsoft Office applications

4. Full current driving licence or, if a disability prevents driving, an alternative means of transport to enable the duties of the post to be carried out in full.
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5. NISCC registered (or willing to become registered if appointed) and willing to be subject to Access NI checks. (Successful applicants must commence NISCC registration process prior to employment)

Desirable Criteria
​​​​​​​​​​​​​​6 months experience of supporting young people (under 25) who have experienced any of the following:

• Care System
• Justice System
• Prison
• Institutional Care
• Supported Accommodation

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