Sanctuary Night Advice Worker

At the Marylebone Project, we pride ourselves on delivering the highest possible standard of support to our women regardless of their background and vulnerability. Are you a good listener, compassionate and understanding, motivated by working as part of team, an organised and gifted multitasker, experienced in working with vulnerable women and want to make a difference to the lives of vulnerable women in crisis? As a Sanctuary Night Advice Worker, you will have the privilege of providing impartial and confidential information, advice, and guidance to service users about a variety of topics which include housing and employment. Empowering our women is at the heart of what we do, and this role will enable you to do that to the full, ensuring that service users are aware of their choices and options, linking them in and signposting to specialist services. You'll explain the options available to the people you work with, helping them to make informed choices about their future. We are looking for someone who will contribute to the 24/7 drop-in sanctuary centre for any women in crisis, working night shifts and therefore, willing to work unsociable hours on a regular basis. Part of your role will also include managing a caseload of service users who may have complex and challenging behaviour. You will provide person centred support, enabling service users to achieve their goals and working closely with them to address their difficulties and move on into stable housing. This role becomes available at a time of great change and development, as we increase the drop-in service from 5 mornings a week to 24/7 cover. You will be part of a team coordinating and facilitating our Drop-in Service for rough sleepers, providing them with a range of services including food provision; laundry; showers; clothing and housing, welfare rights and medical health care clinics. We are seeking a compassionate individual to join our sanctuary team, dedicated to supporting women on their journey towards independent living. Our team operates within a psychologically informed framework, harnessing creativity and dynamism to nurture the strengths of our clients. As a candidate, you should possess exceptional communication skills and thrive in collaborative environments. You will excel in busy settings, demonstrating resilience and a genuine passion for aiding personal growth in others. Our organizational values underpin everything we do, and we seek an individual who embodies these principles in their daily work. If you resonate with this description, we warmly invite you to embark on this meaningful journey with us., Purpose: Provide a high-quality drop-in service for rough sleeping and vulnerably housed women at risk. You will also provide advice, guidance and holistic support to a caseload of service users. Objectives: 1. Provide a high-quality, person-centred service to homeless women with a range of low to high needs within a Psychologically Informed Environment. 2. Provide holistic support to a caseload of women at risk who access the Sanctuary, signposting service users to the relevant services that will address their needs. 3. Assist in the provision of our drop-in within a safe, secure, psychologically informed environment. Meeting the basic needs of the clients by providing food, warmth, shelter, showering facilities, meaningful activities, and safety. 4. Produce person centred and high-quality documents for a caseload of clients including risk assessments, support plans and referrals relating to their needs. This includes and is not limited to, housing, employment, health and financial needs. 5. Provide up to date housing advice and guidance to low- to-high support service users. Signposting them to the relevant specialist services in order for them to access stable accommodation. 6. Provide tenancy management and support for residents in the Emergency Beds. Key Tasks: 1 Provide a high-quality, person-centred support service to service users with a range of low to high needs. 1.1 Meet with every potential service user to assess their suitability for the Drop - in environment and to ascertain whether we will be able to meet their needs. Church Army - Marylebone Project - Candidate Pack Page 7 of 17 1.2 Provide individual casework to service users, which include writing person-centred risk assessments and support plans that are reviewed with the service user regularly, provide support in attending meetings with service users and contribute to multi-agency assessments and reviews. 1.3 Provide impartial and confidential information, advice, and guidance to service users about a variety of topics which include housing and employment. 1.4 Signpost service users to a wide range of internal and external statutory and voluntary agencies that provide information on hostel vacancies and housing rights. 1.5 Advise service users of their housing rights and make external and internal referrals to secure stable accommodation. 1.6 Provide an excellent service to rough sleepers who access the drop-in, meeting their basic needs in a holistic way. This includes providing food, clothing, toiletries and allowing them access to showering and laundry facilities throughout the early, late and night shift. 1.7 Assess service users' clinical risk and identify steps to reduce the likelihood and effect of these risks. 1.8 Use motivational and asset-based interviewing techniques to interview, assess and create support plans and risk assessments that address the needs of service users. 1.9 Enable service users to make informed choices about decisions regarding any aspect of their lives by providing them with accurate and accessible information. 1.10 Support service users with safeguarding concerns, enabling people to make informed choices, escalating concerns where appropriate and ensuring that the service users voice is heard throughout the process. 1.11 Work with service users with complex needs to develop circles of support that promote their independence and ensure their interests are central to decisions taken about their lives. 1.12 Ensure that all relevant administrative tasks are completed whilst updating the relevant software providing clear and accurate records throughout the early shift, late shift and the-night shift. 1.13 Take a positive, psychologically informed approach to working with service users with complex needs and challenging behaviour. 1.14 Take a pro-active approach in multi-agency support required for service users. 1.15 Identify, maintain, and develop relationships with external agencies where required as well as accompanying service users to off-site appointments. 1.16 Respond to the needs of service users appropriately on a day-to-day basis. 1.17 Produce evidence of case studies demonstrating the impact of service delivery. 1.18 Work within the parameters of the Marylebone Project's policies and procedures. 2. Provide a holistic support to a caseload of rough sleeping women who access the Centre, signposting service users to the relevant services that will address their needs. 2.1 Set up the drop-in space, in particular:

• Preparing breakfast.
• Providing a stock of toiletries for the shower facilities.
• Maintaining stocks of all items needed in the drop-in.
• Keep reception tidy and stocked with updated information on services provided.
2.2 Create an atmosphere of welcome and respect in a Psychologically Informed Environment. 2.3 Listen to service users' requests and sign post them to the appropriate service(s) needed. 2.4 Monitor and supervise the reception area making sure that all service users respect our policy with regards to acceptable behaviour, keeping the Centre a safe place. 3. Assist in the provision of our Drop - in within a safe, secure, trauma informed environment. Meeting the basic needs of the clients by providing food, warmth, shelter, showering facilities, meaningful activities, and a safe place to sleep. 3.1 Work within a Psychologically Informed Environment approach and strive to meet targets and deliver results. 3.2 Be aware of the Church Army and Marylebone Project procedures to ensure the health and safety of service users and staff. 3.3 Report all repairs, housekeeping, and maintenance issues to those responsible in a timely manner. 3.4 Handle, record, and report incidents in accordance with agreed policies and procedures. 3.5 Maintain a safe and secure environment for service users and staff by conducting health and safety checks throughout the early, late and night shifts, checking that doors are secure and ensuring that Fire Exits are not locked/blocked. 3.6 Ensure all rooms within the Centre are left in a clean and tidy manner. 3.7 Set up and pack away equipment as required. 3.8 Be alert at all times for any disturbances and suspicious behaviour 3.9 During the night shift, take on full responsibility for the drop in. 3.10 During waking night shifts you are to provide support to service users, resolving any issues or incidences that may arise. 4. Produce person centred and high-quality documents for a caseload of clients including risk assessments, support plans and referrals relating to their needs. This includes and is not limited to; housing, employment, health and financial needs. 4.1 Share relevant information about service users with all necessary internal and external teams in a timely fashion. 4.2 Ensure that any safeguarding concerns are reported in accordance with the Church Army and Marylebone Project Safeguarding policy. 4.2 Ensure appropriate content and context of communication within the team and organisation. 4.3 Represent the Marylebone Project when working with external agencies and partners with professionalism. 4.4 Communicate clearly and respectfully with colleagues. 4.5 Use existing systems to facilitate good communication between the organisation's teams. 4.6 Contribute to data collection, monitoring and evaluation. 4.7 Be an active participant in the team and work collaboratively with colleagues. 4.8 Undertake any other duties as requested as to allow the service run without disruption. 5. Provide up to date housing advice and guidance to low-to-high support service users. Signposting them to the relevant specialist services in order for them to access stable accommodation. 5.1 Understand and apply data protection policies and internal policies regards the sharing of information about staff, service users and/or the organisation. 5.2 Maintain update client record files as necessary with contact, support, and risk information throughout the early, late and night shift. Ensure service user notes are comprehensive, factual, and relevant. 5.3 Handle and record incidents in accordance with agreed policies and procedures. 5.4 Maintain a good working knowledge of homelessness issues and be able to offer advice to people who call at the project in person or by telephone. 5.5 Ensure a high standard of customer service is upheld, and communal areas are clean, tidy, relevant, and welcoming. 5.6 At all times, work with the organisations' systems, policies and procedures to deliver high standard service delivery and promote a safe and secure environment for all. 6. Provide tenancy management and holistic support for service users in the Emergency Bed Services. 6.1 Contribute to the accurate and timely communication with referral agencies in relation to vacancies in the emergency bed and referral status. 6.2 Contribute to the timely screening of referrals. 6.3 Complete referrals and applications with service users as required. 6.4 Ensure maximum revenue collection for the residents within the emergency bed service which includes:
• Timely application of Housing Benefit for new residents.
• Awareness of benefit changes and eligibility.
• Awareness of how employment can affect benefit awards.
• Effective debt management.
6.5 Work to ensure occupancy rate and void turnaround targets are met within the Service. 6.6 Ensure that void rooms are cleaned and prepared for occupancy in a timely manner.

£31,927 per annum Hours Averaging 40 hours per every week: Five weeks rolling rota Working hours and rotas are subject to change by the organisation as required, based on operational/service need, though we try not to do this frequently. Some flexibility in working hours is expected. Annual Leave 224 hours (Equivalent of 28 days, inclusive of bank holidays), rising by 8 hours (one day) per year to a maximum of 264 hours (33 days) after each full year's service. As the project works on a 24/7 basis, you will be required to work some bank holidays including Christmas and New Year. Contract Permanent, open-ended DBS This post is subject to an enhanced DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check and compliant with safeguarding policies and procedures. Safeguarding training will be required. Occupational Requirement
• Positions are exempt under the Equality Act 2010, Schedule 9, Part 1.
Due to the responsibilities of the role, there is an occupational requirement under the Equality Act 2010 that the post holder is female. Physical requirement: The Marylebone Project is based over two sites, 100m apart, and the job involves walking throughout and between both sites. The Bradbury House site is a listed building, over five floors with a lift. The postholder must be able to access all areas of the Project and may be required to do so quickly in the event of an emergency. The ability to undertake these physical aspects of the role and to carry smaller items are required as essential.