We are looking for a compassionate and committed individual to join our team of Health & Housing Navigators. You will work within DASHs Health, Housing & Wellbeing Floating Support Service for adults aged 26+, on a rota basis covering weekdays, occasional evenings and weekends, and out of hours emergency on call (paid supplement)
You will deliver support which will include brief interventions as well as longer-term support helping people develop/maintain their independence, secure appropriate housing/prevent loss of tenancy, and achieve their life goals. Support will be delivered through multiple channels including planned face to face sessions at the individual’s home and/or a variety of locations, virtually via telephone or online, and at weekly drop-in sessions.
Main Responsibilities:
Service Delivery
- Complete needs based assessments and robust client risk assessments and carry out regular support plan and risk assessment reviews.
- Attend weekly drop-in sessions to deliver brief interventions for County Durham residents requiring an urgent response e.g. eviction notices or claim form deadlines, or who need one-off support.
- Provide virtual and telephone support sessions, giving advice and guidance for people with simple queries which require a short task intervention.
- Facilitate group work sessions with a focus on promoting health & wellbeing, independent living skills, and self-esteem and confidence building.
- For people needing longer-term support, create flexible and tailored Support Plans according to clients’ individual needs and deliver 1:1 Outreach Support in a person-centred and psychologically informed way, for up to 26 weeks if required. Areas of support will include:
· Independent living skills
· Managing utilities
· Managing tenancy and housing support
· Budgeting plans
· Advice and help around welfare benefits
· Complete discretionary housing benefit application forms
· Accessing grants as identified
· Access to ID documentation
· Support to access training
· Support around debt
· Emotional support
· Confidence building & self-esteem
· Training / Education / Employment
· Referral/Signposting to other services as appropriate, particularly regarding issues around health, mental health and wellbeing
Safeguarding & Health and Safety
- Attend mandatory training needed to deliver effective Safeguarding for Adults & Children.
- Identify and escalate safeguarding concerns to the Safeguarding Lead where necessary.
- Complete Lone Worker and Home Visit Risk Assessments.
- Follow and promote Lone Working safer practices and ensure the safety of yourselves and your team by using your Orbis Protect device and adhering to DASHs Lone Working policy and procedure.
Teamwork
- Develop trusting and secure working relationships with colleagues, sharing knowledge, information and expertise, and working together to deliver high quality services.
- Attend and participate in team meetings to ensure good communications and liaison with colleagues.
- Prepare for and attend supervision and appraisal sessions with the Lead Navigator, taking direction as appropriate and contributing to the development of both yourself, and the service.
General
- Undertake your own administrative duties, using DASHs CRM and other core systems. Ensure information is recorded accurately, promptly and is up to date in line with Key Performance Indicator (KPI) reporting purposes and ensuring an accurate overview of the service.
- Maintain confidentiality of records and comply with data protections requirements regarding personal data of colleagues and clients alike.
- Uphold and develop DASH Equal Opportunities and Diversity policy of anti-discriminatory practices across all services.
- Observe and ensure compliance with DASHs organisational policies and procedures.
- Work flexibly across all DASH services as required to meet the needs of the business.
- Be prepared to undertake training and development as identified and agreed in consultation with your Line Manager, relevant to your post.
This list is not exhaustive, and you will be required to undertake any duties commensurate with your position. These duties could change over time in response to changing organisation requirements and you will be fully consulted if substantial change occurs.
Qualifications
- Proven experience in a similar role or within social care or the housing sector is preferred.
- Strong negotiation skills with the ability to advocate effectively for clients.
- Familiarity with Salesforce In-Form software is advantageous.
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, both written and verbal.
- Ability to effectively advocate on behalf of others and build and maintain strong, professional relationships with external agencies
- Ability to work independently as well as part of a team, demonstrating initiative and problem-solving capabilities.
- A commitment to supporting diverse populations and understanding the challenges faced by individuals experiencing housing instability and health & wellbeing issues.
To apply, please send your CV and a covering letter outlining your suitability for the role, and reason for applying to:
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: £25,043.00 per year
Benefits:
- Bereavement leave
- Company pension
- Employee discount
- Free parking
- Health & wellbeing programme
- On-site parking
- Sick pay
- Store discount
Schedule:
- Monday to Friday
- Weekend availability
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Durham DH1 1EY
