Job Description

About the role

Changing the Lives of Homeless People:

When you hear the word homeless, what do you see?

Desperation, psychological issues, no fixed abode, begging, stereotypes, sleeping in the same clothes, loneliness, health issues, looking for safety, someone who has struggled in life with addiction

What does home mean for you?

Security, personal space, Somewhere you can make your own choices, Being part of society, Being happy, Sanctuary, Comfort, Allows you to feel safe, A place to reset and live your life, Somewhere to welcome family and reconnect, Somewhere to create memories.

We asked some of the homeless people we support the above questions and these were some of their answers.

Do you want to be a part of their journey and help them find a solution to the problems that they face?

If you think you could support someone who is homeless to achieve a more settled life then you could be the right person for this role! Open Door are an established, well respected homeless night shelter in St Albans and were Housing Heroes finalist in 2019!

Homelessness Support Worker - Open Door

Open Door is a night shelter providing emergency en-suite accommodation for up to 12 single homeless people in St. Albans each night.

The Open Door staff team offer a trauma-informed, safe environment that is person-centred and supports those who come through our doors to get access to the help they need. This could include support to find move-on accommodation, claim benefits, counselling or signposting to specialist agencies for support with things like drug and alcohol addictions.

We`re currently seeking to recruit to the role of Support Worker with the right values and behaviours who is able to encourage and nurture a positive workplace culture based on respect and dignity for those experiencing homelessness who are in need of support.

Who we are looking for

We`re keen to recruit someone who can help us ensure our workplace values are at the heart of everything we do. Our values are:

• service users first
• Treating people with respect, promoting independence and choice
• Developing passionate and committed teams
• Being cost effective without compromising standards or safety

About the role

As a Support Worker, you`ll work as an integral part of a team and be responsible for overseeing support, advice and assistance to people who are/have been living on the streets so they are able to access and maintain a safe and secure home of their own.

We`re looking for someone who has:

• an understanding of the multiple and complex needs experienced by homeless people
• a positive and flexible attitude and is willing to work in a trauma informed way
• No experience is required just the right attitude

The benefits

In return for your hard work and commitment, we offer a considerable benefits package which includes:

• Generous annual leave allowance of 33 days per year, including statutory bank holidays, rising to 35 days with service
• \xc2\xa324,141pa for a 37.5 hour a week contract working a 2-10pm shift pattern
• Regular support from your line manager and colleagues
• Annual bonus based on satisfactory performance
• Monthly attendance bonus on top of your basic salary
• Annual salary and cost of living review
• Commitment to health and wellbeing with the Five Ways to Wellbeing
• Ongoing professional development and support to deliver outstanding support
• Workplace pension scheme and life assurance of three times your annual salary
• Refer-a-friend scheme: Earn a \xc2\xa3130 bonus for each friend you refer to work for us
• Friendly and supportive team environment
• Employee assistance helpline
• Mileage paid for car usage

Closing date: Monday 11th September 2023

Interview date: TBC

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We are an Equal Opportunities & Disability Confident Employer.

For more information about this position please open the following document:

Hightown Housing Association