Download Job Description Job Title Case Worker (Core and Cluster) Location

Job Description
Job Title Case Worker (Core and Cluster)
Location Fife Area wide
Current Base – Head Office, 57-59 Viewforth Street, Kirkcaldy, KY1 3DJ
Responsible To Operations Manager
Terms and Conditions Hours: 36 hours per week (shifts),plus one sleepover,holiday Entitlement:20 days
Salary: £18,810
Probationary Period: 3 Months
Contract: Full Time Fixed – Up to 31st March 2017
Post Purpose Caseworker (Core and Cluster) is a service delivery role which is regulated by the Care
Inspectorate. The post holder is expected to assist people who have experienced
homelessness or at risk of becoming homeless to enable them to make choices to
secure stable accommodation and/or work towards sustainable living. The post holder
is expected to undertake Short Term Housing Support (STHS) and Housing
Management duties using a strength based approach.
Team Purpose The overall aim of Frontline Fife Homelessness Services is to end homelessness across
Fife by taking preventative action and through assisting people to transform their lives.
Our team endeavours to build on people’s strengths through facilitating the promotion
of self-valuing and wellbeing by assisting them to achieve their own goals and to seek
out developmental opportunities.
Duties/Responsibilities In this role, the caseworker will actively be involved in the provision of:
 All aspects of housing management including ensuring the availability of
General
accommodation and reducing the number of unoccupied tenancies,
Duties/Responsibilities
 Effective and viable service delivery by maximising social value and ensuring
cost recovery,
Specific
 Case managed short term housing support, and
 Assist in the development of better practice through reflection and
organisational learning.
The post holder will require to be sensitive to a wide range of issues, which may
include drug and / or alcohol issues, mental health problems, learning difficulties, sex
offenders, young people leaving care, or people who have been abused physically,
mentally or sexually.
Housing Management, Support and Team Duties include the following:
Housing Management
 Conduct housing management tasks including managing repairs, cleaning and
ensuring accommodation standards are met.
 Ensure accommodation costs are being met by Housing Benefit and Service
Charges and where applicable; deal with backdated Housing Benefit or arrears.
 Undertake the collection, processing and recording of payment charges in
accordance with strict financial instructions.
 Assist people to complete appropriate documentation when entering
accommodation as part of the booking in process.
Produced: July 2016 CN
Review: July 2017
Housing Support Duties
 Receive referrals, jointly assess client suitability and risks and take action to
mitigate risks under the guidance of line management.
 Where appropriate and/or when feasible for the client, agree a support
contract and coproduce individual development plans which build upon
individual assets, address their needs and facilitate them to identify and
achieve their aspirations and goals.
 Facilitate clients towards achieving their goals.
 Maintain and submit accurate and up-to-date client records including client
support contracts and action plans to validate and evidence practice.
 Assist service users to deal with any difficulties arising with those they share
with- neighbours or external agencies.
 Refer clients to other services within and outwith the organisation and liaise
with agencies whose expertise is critical to supporting individuals to achieve
their goals.
 Actively encourage participation in group-work/activities, be aware of
dynamics within the group and be prepared to act to reduce conflict.
 Support the applicant to prepare and move into permanent accommodation,
arranging practical assistance where necessary, including fuel set up, benefits
etc. and familiarising each tenant with domestic arrangements including health
and safety matters. Where appropriate arrangements are made to organise
continued visiting support for residents when they move to permanent
accommodation.
 Inform / offer advice and guidance to the person with respect to their duties,
responsibilities and obligations under the terms of their occupancy
agreements.
 Assist service users to deal with any difficulties arising with those they share
with and neighbours.
 Provide practical assistance with welfare and housing benefits and help the
individual to budget for their essential outgoings.
 Actively encourage participation in group work / activities, be aware of
dynamics within the group and be prepared to act to reduce conflict.
Team Working
 Work with the SAP,FHA teams and Centre teams to deliver an integrated
service which assists a seamless approach to referring service users both
internally and externally to other means of support and advice.
 Undertake shift work and/or on call duties when required.
 Actively participate in internal and external meetings and liaise with a range of
different agencies to ensure quality service provision.
 As a member of the wider organisational team adhere to policies, actively
meet the organisation’s performance and quality standards and develop good
practice ensuring an evidence based approach is adopted and shared.
 Actively support or participate in income generation.
This job description must be read in conjunction with the general requirements of
Frontline Fife’s Policies, Procedures and Performance Appraisal System, and the
Standards set by appropriate Regulating Bodies. Frontline Fife is an equal
opportunities employer.
Produced: July 2016 CN
Review: July 2017
Person Specification
Attributes

Experience
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Essential
At least two years experience of
working with people to build
confidence and trust in a structured
way
Experience of working as part of a
team and as a lone worker in the
community
Experience of meeting targets and
achieving contractural requirements
Experience of money handling
SVQ Level 3 Social Care (or equivalent)
Education,
Qualifications &
Training

Skills, Abilities &
Knowledge

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Produced: July 2016 CN
Review: July 2017
Good organisational and self
management skills
Knowledge of Housing Benefit
Housing Management Skills
Understanding of the causes of
homelessness
Skilled in using Microsoft Word, Excel,
Desirable
Experience of working in the voluntary
Sector
Assessment
Application, Interview, References
Professional qualifications in Social
Care
Evidence of CPD
Awareness of Reflective Practice
Awareness of Strength Based
Approach’s
Knowledge of current homeless
legislation
Application
Knowledge of welfare rights
Application,Interview, References

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
Interpersonal &
Communication Skills

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Other
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Produced: July 2016 CN
Review: July 2017
databases, internet
Comply with Care Inspectorate
Standards and SSSC codes of practice
Ability to de-escalate volitile situations
Ability to work independently and
within teams
Positive thinker, able to problem solve
and create solutions
Time management skills
Able to cope with stressful situations
Report writing skills
Verbal communication skills, telephone
and face-to-face
Ability to establish and maintain
professional relationships both within
and out with the organisation
Ability to work comfortably and
empathetically with people in a
supportive, non-judgemental manner
and enable people to develop
independent living skills
Able to maintain professional
boundaries when working with
vulnerable people
Current driving licence, access to a car
and insurance cover for business
purposes
Commitment to working with people
experiencing homelessness
Ability to undertake shift work,
Ability to recognise and manage own
stress and/or seek support
Application, Interview, References
Confident in understanding the
limitations of ones work remit
Application, Interview, References

Produced: July 2016 CN
Review: July 2017
sleepover and / or on-call duties
Have no criminal convictions for
offences involving young or vulnerable
people, or any other offences which
the Management of Frontline Fife
consider undesirable in relation to this
post