Job Description

Are you prepared to go the extra mile to ensure a positive outcome for your clients? We have an exciting opportunity for a Support Worker to join our Bristol families temporary accommodation team on a full time basis.

We are looking for a Support Worker to join our Bristol Families Temporary Accommodation Team . This position is field based within a team of 3 working with 48 families across Bristol with a housing officer and a team manager.

The role will also involve supporting the Male Pathway Low Support Team with a small caseload. We work as part of a wider team supporting adult pathway and young people too and are very proud of our work, helping families is at the heart of everything we do.

The team works with families, who are impacted or threatened by homelessness in Bristol in our temporary accommodation for up to 12 months. The support will be tenancy sustainment and supporting families to move into permanent accommodation.

As a support worker, you will be providing housing related support, however you will be working closely with other agencies around specific needs including mental health and Domestic Violence, as well as the local authority, housing associations, private letting agents and landlords and/or others.

The role involves supporting around tenancy and housing management, working with benefits (housing benefits, universal credits, PIP and other), bills, exploring options around education, training and employment, writing support plans and risk assessments, budgeting, engaging with other professionals, and working towards move-on from temporary accommodation.

This role will also cover triaging applications from Bristol City Council, checking needs and risks are assessed appropriately ensuring the service is suitable for the prospective clients and any voids are filled in timely manner. The role will also include updating the Housing Support Register (HSR), helping to keep the system updated regularly and assisting in the preparation of quarterly reports for the commissioners.

We are looking for someone who is motivated to make a positive contribution to the lives of the people we support and a \xe2\x80\x9ccan do\xe2\x80\x9d approach to their work. Experience in a similar role would be desirable, however what is most important is having a passion for helping people in the local community.

This role will be challenging at times as you will be working with and supporting clients across a range of difficult and challenging issues/behaviours; an attention to detail, using your initiative and problem solving will be key.

This role is being offered on a permanent, full time basis, working 37 hours per week. Generally working hours are 9am-5pm with bandwidth hours being 8.00 am to 6.00 pm. Use of a car is essential.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of vulnerable groups and expect all colleagues to share this commitment. Appointment to the post will be subject to a satisfactory enhanced check via the Disclosure and Barring Service.

For further information about this opportunity, please to view our candidate information pack.

If you would like to discuss this vacancy, please contact our Resourcing team on 01392 814 599 or email .

About The Candidate

To be considered for the role of Support Worker, you will be/have:-

• Empathy and understanding of the needs of clients who are experiencing homelessness and the barriers they face.
• An understanding or experience, of issues surrounding homelessness and good awareness of associated risks this may bring such as alcohol and substance misuse, mental health, self-harm, offending behaviour.
• An understanding or experience of debt management.
• Network building to be able to source accommodation options and opportunities for clients.
• Resilient with the ability to be open and responsive to the challenging needs of clients and commissioners of the service
• An understanding, or experience, of lone working.
• Knowledge and understanding of welfare and housing benefits.
• The ability to motivate and engage clients in the service and their pathway to independence.
• Able to adapt your style and be able to \'think on the spot\' when reacting to difficult situations.
• Understand the impact of trauma and can show us you have experience of or the ability to provide high-quality support whilst managing challenging situations.
• Committed to LiveWest values and bring enthusiasm and willingness within all aspects of the role and service.
• Good IT skills, excellent interpersonal skills and understand the importance of working within equal opportunities, safeguarding and confidentiality guidelines.
• Able to communicate on different levels both verbally and in writing.
• Take ownership and responsibility.

The most important part of this role is to have pride in your work and have a positive attitude, a proactive approach and the confidence to support a diverse range of people. You will be able to balance your passion and commitment with good organisational skills, and the ability to maintain appropriate boundaries.

What we offer:

• Defined Contribution pension scheme - employer contribution of 6% - 9%
• Discretionary Bonus scheme
• Death in Service benefit (3 x salary)
• 26 days annual leave plus bank holidays with service related increase to your entitlement up to 30 days plus an option to purchase extra annual leave
• Family Friendly policies
• Health Cash Plan including dental and optical cover
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Health and Wellbeing programme which includes enhanced sick pay, monthly campaigns, training and yearly flu jabs
• Cycle to Work scheme
• Car Benefit scheme
• Learning and Development including coaching and professional qualification support
• Volunteering days

About The Company

LiveWest provides over 39,000 homes to over 80,000 people throughout the South West from Gloucestershire to the Isles of Scilly. We have plans to build over 6,000 homes in the area over the next five years, developing new homes of all tenures including low-cost rent and sale, market rent and sale, and a range of supported housing and intermediate housing products, creating choice and flexibility.

As well as developing new homes, we continue to invest in existing properties and communities. Through the stability of good housing, we place better living for better lives at the centre of our mission both today and for generations to come. At LiveWest we believe in a home for everyone.

As an Inclusive Employer, we celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all colleagues. For further information about our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion policy, please .

LiveWest