Specialist Support Worker

We're looking for a kind, compassionate and resilient Specialist Support Worker to join our homelessness service in Tower Hamlets.

£15,220.00 per annum, working 20 hours per week. Benefits include 25 days Annual Leave, pension schemes, staff discounts, healthcare and career progression.

Want to feel like you're part of one team? You'll feel at home here.

Tower Hamlets Domestic Abuse Service is a refuge that provides short-term accommodation for 15 women and their children with a range of support needs, who are at risk of or fleeing domestic abuse.

You will be responsible for overseeing and coordinating families' move-on pathway from the refuge into independent living. The post holder will be responsible for sourcing accommodation in the private rented sector - liaising with landlords and sourcing new move on routes for families. You will directly support customers to move into their new accommodation and ensure support staff are fully equipped to inform customers about the move on process. The post-holder will also a central contact point for local authority housing departments.

All applicants must be legally eligible to work in the UK by the start of employment as Look Ahead are not able to offer sponsorship.

What you'll do:

Develop links with private sector landlords and estate agents in order to source private rented stock and promote Look Ahead as a partner organisation
Work in partnership with local authorities' move on co-ordinators, creating innovative schemes to support long stayers in accommodation
Attend and support customers to complete all relevant documentation for housing placement meetings
Develop and maintain an information resource to support the team in the resettlement of customers and their children. This will include (but not limited to) Local Housing Allowance Rates, Partner Landlord and Estate Agency details and Rent Deposit Schemes
Act as the main point of contact for information and resources on the private rented sector
Support a caseload of families to ensure they move on within their licence agreement timeline
Provide a support service to new families who move in including assisting them to access welfare benefits and loans/grants available from the Department of Work and Pensions
Accompany families to viewings

For the full list please see our website

This is not an exhaustive list of all the duties and responsibilities that may be required from time to time and is subject to change in accordance with the needs of Look Ahead

About you:

Is highly motivated and a self-starter
Enjoys managing and motivating others
Is confident with high levels of self-esteem
Is respectful, articulate and sensitive in style of communication
Is essentially customer-focused
Is respectful, articulate and sensitive in style of communication
Is able to advertise and promote activities in a way that will lead to engagement
Is excellent at working with others and working in a co-produced way
Is creative and able to put creative ideas into action
Is motivated towards excellence and improvement of personal performance with a can do attitude
Knowledge around co-production and the importance of it
Knowledge and understanding of supported housing move on pathways
Knowledge and experience of policy relating to Private Rented Sector
Enjoys social interaction and the company of others, networks in local business community
Ability to prioritise workload and work effectively in a high-pressured environment
Prefers working as part of a group or team
Ability to work independently and use initiative
Is fundamentally calm and resilient, does not let emotion adversely affect them or obscure their judgement
Thrives on change and enjoys dynamic diverse environments with an ability to cope positively with challenging and diverse behaviour

What you'll bring:

Essential:

Has relevant sector work experience
Demonstrable experience of supporting survivors of domestic violence

Desirable:

Other relevant professional memberships and/or specialist qualifications

About us:

Look Ahead is a leading, not-for-profit care and support provider in London and the South East. Our vision is to build better lives through social care and housing in local communities. As an organisation we deliver over 120 services, providing support to around 6000 customers each year. Our mission is to co-design and deliver services that offer innovative social care solutions and support people to thrive. We work across mental health, homelessness, young people and learning disabilities so there are plenty of opportunities to grow and progress your career with us.

We have a strong social purpose and we live and work by our values:

We focus on Excellence and innovation.
We are Caring and Compassionate.
We are Inclusive and Trusted.
We work in Partnership and are One-Team.
Look Ahead is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and adults at risk, and expects all employees, workers and volunteers to share this commitment.

If your application for this role is unsuccessful, but we feel that you would be suitable for another role, we may contact you to discuss alternative opportunities. If this occurs you would not need to submit another application for the alternative role.

We reserve the right to close this advert early if we are able to appoint to the vacancy before the advertised closed date.

We are committed to diversity and inclusion at work and are accredited with Silver in the Inclusive Employers Standard 2021. We are a proud member of the Employers Domestic Abuse Covenant and encourage applications from a diverse range of applicants of all backgrounds.