Ashberry Recruitment are currently looking for an Outreach Project Worker on a fixed term basis until December 2022, for our well-respected client in Preston.

This role is to support individuals who have a recent history of offending into sustainable accommodation that meets decent homes standards within the Private Rented Sector, meet their support needs whilst working with them, and assist them to settle into their new accommodation to maximise their success in sustaining that tenancy. Building up networks with landlords and liaising with housing and criminal justice partners will be pivotal to ensure referral pathways into the project are secured and move on arrangements achieved. This role will help people feel tenancy ready by delivering tenancy related training with the support of our in-house package, assess customers tenancy readiness and help them make that transition.

How this role will deliver success

* Suitable move on options secured for those living in either temporary accommodation or other circumstances of homelessness

* Clients reporting that they are satisfied with the service and have been supported in a personalised way

* Clients feel they have the skills to make their new tenancy a success

* Outcomes are secured to help clients make positive changes to their lives

* Relationships are formed to make a seamless working partnership with landlords, referrers, and other key partners to create the best housing and support pathways

* Records capture success, interventions, and impact of the role

* Individuals know what to expect in relation to a timely move on and the support on offer

What you need to be successful in this role

Experience/Knowledge

* Experience working with disadvantaged and excluded groups including knowledge of homelessness, offending behaviour, substance misuse and mental health issues

* Knowledge of housing, welfare and homelessness systems/ legislation and an ability to work with housing landlords and agencies

* Ability to assess support needs and risk and make appropriate referral

* Experience of working in a people-focused environment to provide a supportive and motivating approach to the client group

* Ability to work in partnership with external stakeholders, particular housing providers, probation services, drug and alcohol services, and benefit agencies

* Good knowledge and use of IT systems (Windows Explorer; MS Word, Outlook, Excel, and Teams; Zoom; Case Management Systems; Android Smart Phone and Tablet)

* Understanding of the factors that cause homelessness and being able to support people to action plan for positive change

Skills

• Confident interpersonal and team working skills

* Ability to deliver group work to prepare clients to live independently

* Effective time management skills and ability to work under pressure prioritising workloads

* Ability to work independently in a safe and professional manner and ensure health and safety procedures are followed

* Ability to work as part of, and desire to contribute to, a passionate and supportive team

* Efficient and accurate data entry and record keeping skills

* Driver with clean licence and ability to travel around the East Lancashire by car and to work flexibly in line with services needs and carry out additional task as appropriate

* Be able to build relationships and support people in a non-judgemental way, to maximise the chances for positive change

* Ability to build professional networks to support the needs to the individual

Salary

£20,623 - £21,930