Intensive Needs Support Coach

Do you have a genuine passion and felt purpose to help people? Would you say that you believe everyone deserves a second chance regardless of their past circumstances? Would you like to be part of an organisation that supports, cares and empowers these individuals?

ABOUT THE ROLE

We are seeking a dynamic and self-motivated Enhanced Hostel Intensive Needs Support Coach in Medway to join us on a fixed term contract until 31st March 25 as part of the Rough Sleeper Initiative Project - RSI (this is likely to be extended but is funding dependent) to provide effective practical and personal support and guidance to Pathways’ clients during the period of their stay in our accommodation to enable them to become more resilient and to live independent lives.

Pathways to Independence is committed to becoming a psychologically informed environment; one which considers and responds to, the potential impact of trauma in every area of its service delivery and design

The primary responsibility of the RSI Enhanced Hostel Intensive Support Coach will be to provide personalised support and guidance to individuals referred to Pathways to Independence through the Medway Rough Sleepers Initiative. This will include assessing client needs and providing support to meet these needs, completing safety plans, ensuring the client can identify and access relevant services, liaising with other statutory and voluntary agencies to ensure the appropriate support for clients.

You will be allocated a caseload of between 5 and 7 clients who have a history of non-engagement, rough sleeping and complex needs. You will be expected to be proactive, in engaging clients demonstrating an approachable, flexible and caring style. The Intensive Needs Support Coach will be required to participate in activities to encourage the development of skills and the building of positive relationships within the local community.

Shift Pattern: 37.5 hours per week, Monday to Friday 9am - 5pm. You may need to work flexibly outside these hours as per the requirements for the service, residents and participants. You will be based across multiple projects in the Medway area.

ABOUT YOU

To be successful in this role, you will have great communication and engagement skills, with the maturity to work within a framework of recovery, building confidence, self-esteem, hope and positive coping skills. You will be someone who has high levels of initiative and motivation with the ability to seek out solutions to problems, and most importantly someone who shares our values and be committed to achieving great outcomes for our clients.

A proactive problem-solver, you excel at managing diverse tasks. You are highly adaptable, work well in fast-paced, ever-changing environments, and are eager to promote a positive and inclusive service. With a trauma-informed, non-judgmental approach, you ensure that you can sensitively address the social and societal challenges faced by those with complex needs, while staying aligned with SIG’s values and mission.

What are we looking for?

• Experience of working directly with people who have experienced homelessness, with issues around substance/alcohol use and/or mental health
• Experience and ability to build rapport and develop a good working relationship with clients who are using substances, some of whom may display challenging behaviour
• Experience of communicating, liaising and negotiating effectively with a wide range of people including clients, other staff, and representatives of other agencies such as local authorities and statutory services and the general public to build strong partnerships
• The ability to work in fast paced and pressured environment whilst managing multiple priorities and demands to complete delegated tasks or meet deadlines
• The knowledge, skills and ability to assess the needs of people with substance misuse/mental health and health problems and to formulate support plans and risk assessments
• A clear knowledge and understanding of harm minimisation and how it can be used as an intervention; a working knowledge of other interventions in the substance use field
• Proven ability to demonstrate compassionate and creative work practices with residents to address support needs and/or risks
• An open-minded approach to work with vulnerable adults and a willingness to learn new ideas and put these into practice
• IT Proficiency, ability to learn new software programs, basic Microsoft experience
• Understanding and/or practical knowledge of the social and societal marginalisation that can be attached to people with mental health issues, addiction, exploitation, homelessness and within the criminal justice system

What would we like, but not essential?

• Experience working with different agencies/organisations and understanding the multi-disciplinary approach (For example working alongside MAPPA)
• Appropriate professional qualification: NVQ/Diploma Level 2 in Community Justice/Psychology or professional equivalent
• Understanding of the housing and social needs of people with multiple and complex needs

What we offer

• 25 days annual leave, increasing with the length of service
• Training and Development, including access to courses, upskilling, and progression plans
• Employee Assistance Programme, including counselling
• Reflective Practice regular sessions with a therapist provided by an external provider to support Mental Health and Wellbeing
• Eligibility to register with Blue Light Discount Card
• Life Assurance Scheme
• Cycle-to-work scheme
• Annual Staff Awards

If you have the passion, creativity, and tenacity to make a real difference in people's lives, challenge stigma and make our communities safer, we would love to hear from you!

OVERVIEW OF KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Supporting a small caseload of individuals with complex needs referred to Pathways through the Medway Rough Sleeper Initiative project.
• Work proactively, innovatively with clients who are hard to engage
• Working as part of a team responsible for creating a safe environment in which clients who have experienced multiple disadvantage are able to build their confidence and discover opportunities for positive change
• Advocating on behalf of clients who frequently experience multiple exclusion from main stream services ensuring that clients can access relevant services
• Liaising with other statutory and voluntary agencies to ensure the appropriate support for hard to reach clients and/or those experiencing multiple disadvantage
• Utilise knowledge, skills and experience to recognise difficult or challenging situations, and use appropriate communication skills to influence and bring about positive change to behaviour   
• To offer advice and support to staff working with residents with complex needs, helping to create a safe and trauma informed environment
• Cover for other members of the team as necessary.
• Assess clients with multiple needs to identify support needs, identify risks to complete safety/risk plans and identifying personal goals/desires in conjunction with the client

Other responsibilities than those described above may be required to be undertaken from time to time and will be expected to be performed to as long as it is within the capability and level of the position. 

Please refer to the JDPS attached for more details on the vacancy and our requirements/key criteria.

ABOUT US

Social Interest Group (SIG) believes good care and support improve lives. Our values of ambition, empowerment, transparency, and inclusivity drive everything we do. Our mission is to empower people who are marginalised by building powerful partnerships and creative solutions that bridge gaps in provision and aid recovery, reablement and resettlement.

SIG is a not-for-profit organisation providing thousands of people with good-quality support and care in residential, drop-in centres, community floating support settings (including people's own homes), probation settings, and hospitals awaiting discharge. We do so across London, Brighton, Bedfordshire, Luton, and Kent. We believe in the power of well-planned, well-managed services to make a difference. We work with high standards and external and internal regulatory frameworks.

Want to know how we work? Watch our short Theory of Change video to see how we support people towards a brighter future: Theory of Change

Further details can be found on our website here: Theory of Change - Social Interest Group - Social Interest Group. 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Please note that this job advert may close early due to screening applications on an ongoing basis. We advise applying as soon as possible for your application to be taken into consideration at the early stages.

Additional information on our company policies including Gender Pay, Equality and Diversity, Company Benefits and our Candidate Privacy Policy can be found on our website. We are an inclusive employer, committed to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI). We value and celebrate the unique backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences of all our employees. We have a team of ambassadors who are staff volunteers and actively support us in fortifying our organisational value of Inclusivity. SIG actively encourages applications from individuals from a diverse range of backgrounds, particularly lived experience ; Naturally, we approach any emerging issues with empathy and sensitivity.

As an organisation, we’re proud to mention that our staff Ambassadors career aspirations generally benefit from embracing this unique opportunity to develop their respective skill sets in spaces that exist outside of their daily roles.

For Recruitment related enquiries, or if you need support with making your application for example due to learning needs or a disability, please email recruitment@socialinterestgroup.org.uk or call us on 020 3668 9270

Please note that as part of our process, we complete an enhanced DBS check, some roles may require further vetting. We are an inclusive employer and encourage applicants from all backgrounds. If you have any questions regarding this, please contact us on the details above. 

Unfortunately, we are unable to provide sponsorship, please ensure you have full right to work in the UK prior to applying to our positions.