Dual Diagnosis Project Worker x2
Reports To: Assistant Manager & Projects Manager
Term: Permanent
Based At: Community House Team (CHT) Project, Cardiff
Salary: £16,832 per annum
Hours of work: 37.5 hours per week averaged over a month. Rolling 4 week rota, covering ngihts from 20.30 hrs - 09.00 hrs, includes weekend
Closing Date: 27 Nov 2019 12:00PM
Introduction
The Wallich is a homelessness charity delivering innovative housing and support services to homeless and vulnerably housed people. The Organisation formed in 1978 in Cardiff and now supports around 8000 people a year across Wales. Our work falls into four principal areas:
1. Residential supported housing projects, including direct access hostels, emergency night shelters and accommodation for people with specific issues such as substance misuse, youth services etc.
2. Floating (Tenancy) support projects in which we support people who have tenancy difficulties, sometimes with a contributing health or other need, and are in danger of losing their homes.
3. Prevention or intervention projects supplied through Homelessness Prevention Grant funding which are a broad range of services that prevent homelessness or make life better for homeless people.
4. Participation and Progression services, which are embedded in all our projects enhancing support through providing opportunities for Service Users to take an active part in their community. These services include those designed to enable people to move into meaningful activities including employment and training opportunities.
The Wallich’s values are of empowerment and treating people with dignity, respect and unconditional positive regard. The Wallich is committed to providing services that are trauma informed and delivered with Psychologically Informed Environments (PIE) at the heart of its support. A PIE is an approach to supporting people out of homelessness whilst making significant and positive progress in overcoming trauma, substance misuse and mental illness. It also considers the psychological needs of staff: developing skills and knowledge, increasing motivation, job satisfaction and resilience. At the heart of what we do are the people we support, who are actively and meaningfully involved in their own support and encouraged to participate in the design, development and delivery of services.
Project Description
The project is located in Cardiff and works with homeless and vulnerably housed people. The service provides residential support with the aim of meeting individuals’ needs, which promote independence and lead to a sustainable move-on. The project also provides housing related support within people’s homes or in the community, with the aim of preventing homelessness and increasing independence. The project is funded through the Supporting People Programme Grant and is required to meet the Welsh Government’s National Outcomes Framework. The Framework’s four main aims are:
• Promoting Personal and Community Safety
• Promoting Independence and Control
• Promoting Economic Progress and Financial Control
• Promoting Health and Wellbeing
Purpose of Role
To provide a reassuring night time staffing presence throughout the project's dispersed properties, and to interact with service users in ways that complement the support provided throughout the day. The role will meet the housing management needs of the project ensuring the delivery of a safe, secure and effective service.
This will be achieved through the provision of psychologically informed support that enables and empowers Service Users to address housing and/or personal difficulties, build their skills and confidence, and ultimately improve their ability to maintain their current or future accommodation. This support will not create or increase dependence, it will ‘do with’ rather than ‘do for’, enabling people to improve their involvement and understanding and subsequently take control of their lives.
This job is subject to Enhanced DBS check
Person Profile
Knowledge
- Basic knowledge and understanding of current Homelessness Law, the Criminal Justice System, DWP Benefits, and the current legal framework within which you are expected to work.
- A knowledge of relevant mental health and care legislation, governance and frameworks.
- Basic knowledge and understanding of how complex needs, such as substance misuse or mental health, can affect individuals and their vulnerability.
- Basic knowledge and understanding of housing management functions.
- Knowledge and understanding of how your personal life can have positive and negative impacts on your own performance and attendance.
- Basic knowledge and understanding of the need for professional boundaries.
- An understanding of the substance use needs of service users with severe and enduring mental health needs
Experience
- Experience of working with vulnerable people.
- Experience of working with people who have severe and enduring mental health problems in either an inpatient or community setting and/or in substance use services.
- Experience of recording your work on paper or digital systems is desirable.
- Experience of housing related support or homelessness (this can be from a professional or personal perspective).
- Experience of working within the Mental Health Act or other statutory legislation is desirable
- Experience of working with diverse people in a non-judgemental way.
- Experience of effectively dealing with challenging situations whilst maintaining professional boundaries
- Experience of lone working on own initiative and without close supervision is desirable
- Experience of organising resources and prioritising workloads to meet deadlines
- Experience of building therapeutic relationships using good communication skills that show warmth and empathy.
- Experience of using Microsoft Word, email and excel is desirable.
Other
- Driving licence and own vehicle is essential.
- Ability to communicate in Welsh is desirable but not essential.
- Aligned personal and organisational values and an attitude which embodies the purpose of the role and vision of the organisation
The intended interview date is: 16th December 2019.
All Wallich Staff are required to undertake a 5 day induction at our office in Cardiff.
To apply, please visit our website by clicking here or the “Apply Now” button below
