Engagement & Support Worker

Wayfinder is our community led, relational homelessness programme. We're looking for a Engagement & Support Worker to join our small team and help support our participants and volunteers. 

The post requires excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate with people from diverse backgrounds. The successful candidate will work as part of the Homeless Services Team to support clients across a number of our projects, with a primary focus on support our Wayfinder Participants.

The successful candidate will have experience of working with vulnerable, homeless people or disadvantaged groups. The post is a mix of practical involvement and administrative work and requires flexible working and adaptable thinking. Some evening and weekend working will be required as part of the role.

We are actively encouraging applications for this role from people with lived experience of homelessness or insecure housing.

Please note that the successful applicant will be subject to an enhanced DBS check, however a previous criminal conviction will not necessarily prevent you from undertaking this role. ​

Main Duties and Responsibilities

• To provide advice and support to clients to help them stay in their property or find and secure long-term accommodation.
• To work alongside other staff and volunteers to support clients in a way that acknowledges their identity, dignity and self-worth. Engaging with them to address the issues which have contributed to their current situation.
• To deliver activities, one to one support and group sessions to clients.  
• To accompany clients to meetings with other agencies or healthcare professionals.
• To carry out dynamic risk assessments during all client interactions.
• Liaise pro-actively with social housing providers, private landlords and other housing providers on behalf of clients as required.
• To work with an appropriate and realistic number of clients as part of your own case load, as determined by your line manager.
• To adapt to working within different and varying community settings, showing flexibility and sensitivity to work alongside other staff and volunteers.
• To collect and keep accurate records, documentation and data that demonstrates impact and assists in monitoring clients’ progress. This includes providing data that supports the monitoring and evaluation of the overall performance of the charity.
• To keep up to date with the range of statutory and voluntary services established to assist adults with health, social welfare, financial, legal, housing and addiction problems and to advocate with these services on the clients’ behalf.
• To promote effective multi-agency working, sharing information appropriately in order to support clients in accessing service, advice and information.
• To work collaboratively across all GTM projects to ensure the best outcome for clients.
• To assist with the running of other GTM projects when required.
• To work with all staff and volunteers to ensure that all policies and procedures are adhered to, with a particular focus on Health & Safety and Safeguarding.
• To attend meetings, conferences or events relating to your role or the work of Greater Together Manchester, as agreed with the Homeless Services Manager.
• To undertake any training or development opportunities as agreed.
• To undertake any additional tasks required as agreed with your line manager or the Board of Trustees.