Support Worker (fixed term)

Who we are

Wycombe Homeless Connection is a Christian-led charity based in south Buckinghamshire that works to end homelessness in our community. 

We make a difference to the lives of local people, stopping homelessness before it starts through our innovative homelessness prevention programmes and reducing the harm homelessness can do with our frontline support and health projects.

Our vision is that south Buckinghamshire is transformed into a place where no one loses their home and that there is suitable housing and housing security for all. 

About the role

There is an occupational requirement that the post-holder be a Christian

As a Support Worker you’ll use your skills to tackle homelessness in Wycombe and across the south of Buckinghamshire. You will work within our support team to provide a range of activities and advice services to people who are sleeping rough. You will have a specific focus on helping people who are sleeping rough to access emergency accommodation. You’ll run a service to help people move on from emergency accommodation into suitable long term accommodation of their own.

This is a 37.5 hour a week role, fixed term for 12 months with a view to extend. The salary shown is the starting salary range. 

Some evening and weekend working will be likely during January to March when many of our clients are in winter accommodation. 

There will be occasional early shifts to undertake rough sleeper verification. Time off in-lieu or flexing of hours both available. 

Job description

There is an occupational requirement that the post-holder be a Christian.

Provide support and advice to people who are sleeping rough or living in emergency accommodation

• Work in our Support Centre to provide support to people who are sleeping rough.
• Take part in our outreach initiatives, participating in outreach walks and other engagement opportunities with volunteers and members from our partner agencies.
• Work with our partners to confirm the status of people sleeping rough and help develop plans for and deliver support for their circumstances.
• Work with people to identify their housing issues, give advice and support them in addressing these issues. This will include referring them to, and working with, other agencies.
• Participate in the Rough Sleeper Core Group (or its equivalent), a multi-agency group that tackles rough sleeping in our operational area.
• Collaborate with other professionals to ensure coordinated support for people sleeping rough.

Help clients find suitable and sustainable homes.

• Support people staying in ‘emergency beds’ and other emergency and temporary accommodation to help them move on into another form of longer term housing.
• Effectively and professionally manage a case load of clients.
• Work to maintain a working knowledge of what accommodation options are available and ensure clients understand their rights and options. Help clients identify and apply for housing that is suitable for them.
• Work alongside partners and stakeholders to ensure clients are receiving the necessary support so that they can apply for housing and sustain their tenancies.
• Direct people to whatever statutory benefits and support they may be entitled to.

About you

Training and development support will be given however this role would suit a candidate with support work skills and experience.

• Beneficial but by no means essential: a relevant degree (or equivalent), the Chartered Institute of Housing Level 3 certificate in Supporting Homeless People, or a qualification in social care, housing or advocacy that would be
• Possession of a UK driving licence and access to a car will be essential in this role.
• Experience of providing face-to-face support to people in areas such as advice and advocacy. Experience in working in close partnership with agencies, organisations and individuals will be beneficial.
• Confidence and experience in using online systems, databases and Microsoft Office packages. Experience of client management tools like ours, HighRise, is valued but not vital.
• Understanding of data protection and privacy principles is desirable but not essential.
• Have some experience of working in a charity, an understanding of supporter care principles, data privacy principles, and working with volunteers (these are desirable not essential.)
• A caring, empathetic outlook with the ability to challenge individuals to take control of their own situations.
• Be self-motivated with the ability to show initiative and resourcefulness and the ability to innovate and problem-solve and the ability to proactively pursue cases to their conclusion.
• Have excellent time management skills and the ability to manage multiple cases simultaneously.
  
  

We will need you to:

• Be committed to the Christian faith. There is an occupational requirement for the post-holder to be a practising Christian as you’ll represent us to the public, the people we work with and supporters. You may pray with and for others, and take part in or lead Christian worship.
• Enjoy working both independently and as part of multiple teams and be a team player. You’ll have the ability and desire to get on well with your colleagues and our volunteers, recognising the benefits of collaboration and cooperation.
• Be a great communicator, both written and verbal especially when it comes to working in a team and with clients who will have a range of needs.
• Manage your time well with the ability to set and meet deadlines.
• Be comfortable working in an environment where confidentiality is applied to many areas of our work. You’ll need to set and maintain boundaries with clients.
• Be aligned to our vision, mission and values and to be happy to act in line with our code of conduct.
• Be flexible, resilient and adaptable to change, with the ability to thrive in an environment where change occurs regularly as we adapt to the needs of our services users and the economy and society in which we work.

Benefits

• As well as offering a competitive salary, we are a compassionate employer. We are happy to explore flexible hours and working locations with all our staff. 
• We offer regular wellbeing activities including retreat days, social events and more. 
• You’ll join our free employee assistance programme through which you get access to free counselling, legal advice a 24/7 GP helpline and more.
• We have a generous leave package, starting at 25 days per year plus bank holidays.
• We will focus on your training and professional development.

Important notes

Please note that we are unable to consider applicants who do not have permission to work in the UK.

We welcome and encourage job applications from people of all backgrounds. We are committed to continue building an environment that embraces diversity.

Find out more

Please read the Support Worker job description and review our document, 'Christian context for working with Wycombe Homeless Connection' as there is an occupational requirement that the post-holder be a Christian.

If you would like to have an informal chat about the role, please call our Services Manager, Helen Biggerstaff, on 01494 447699 or email helen.biggerstaff@wyhoc.org.uk

Next steps and application

Please send your CV and a covering letter by post to Helen Biggerstaff, Services Manager, Wycombe Homeless Connection, Oakley Hall, 8 Castle Street, High Wycombe, HP13 6RF or by email to helen.biggerstaff@wyhoc.org.uk.

Helen will then contact you to arrange a conversation about the role and prospective candidates will be asked to complete an application form.