Project Worker

Project Worker 20 hours Job description Project worker 20hr per week position. Purpose of the Post To work with the Service Manager and within the authority delegated to the post holder by the service manager; to assist in the day to day running of the service whilst remaining on the roster. The Project Worker will be responsible for: processing referrals, conducting assessments; care/support planning and implementation of care/support plans; engaging with service users; supporting service users with move on plans; managing maintenance issues; delivering practice supervision. The Project Worker will play a key role in recruiting, mentoring and supporting staff and students (if applicable) in order to ensure that the highest level and standards of social care practice are further developed and maintained in the service. In addition to this, the post holder will act on behalf of the Service Manager and provide out of hours on call support where designated. Environment of the Post GSCK provides emergency accommodation for up to 22 residents (emergency),12transitional and one family emergency. The services are low threshold in nature. Guidance and Authority The post-holder will report to and be supervised by the Service Manager. The Service Manager reports to the General Manager. The post-holder will supervise the social care team panel of Locum/Relief Project Workers/Shift Attendants and student project workers. They may also act on behalf of the Service Manager for the homeless service as designated during periods of leave as designated and agreed by the General Manager. The post-holder will liaise closely with the Service Manager and relevant stakeholders in the Local Authority, Health Service Executive and other agencies. The post holder will work within the overall framework and policies of GSCK. Principal Accountabilities & Key Indicators Resident Support To provide leadership on shift by demonstrating the highest standard of social care practice. To ensure that the service responds effectively to the needs of the service users in areas such as referral, induction, key working/ case management and move on. Ensure service users access services / community supports/ welfare allowances which they are entitled to. Aftercare and additional accommodation supports Ensure that the service responds effectively to the needs of former service users and service users living in various community accommodations. Quality To ensure a consistently high standard of care for the service users and that the rights of the service users are protected and promoted. To continuously work towards the achievement of Putting People First and the implementation of the National Quality Standards Framework for Homeless Services and National Standards for Safer Better Healthcare. To work to the highest standards of the Dublin Regional Homeless Regional Executive Competency Framework Communication To carry out duties in accordance with the values, ethos & mission statement of the GSCK. To contribute to the on-going development of Standards, Polices and Procedures in the centre. Policy To ensure staff-handovers are conducted to the highest standards, are effective, and in-line with GSCK policies and procedures To attend regular team-meetings with all staff to ensure effective communication sharing, discussion and review of practice, client welfare and outcomes To report to the Service Manager challenges, changes or resources needs as they arise To record supervision meetings with locum/Relief staff/ shift attendants staff and students (if applicable) To provide the Service Manager with the data and information required for meetings, and to attend meetings and present reports as required To manage and maintain data and information in accordance with best practice To maintain and manage an information data-base as may be required Staff Supervision To direct, develop, support and supervise locum/Relief staff/ shift attendants staff and students (if applicable) in their duties To assess the training and development needs of staff and to develop appropriate training opportunities for them in conjunction with the Service Manager and General Manager. To assist the Service Manager to recruit and select staff, in line with the agreed recruitment and selection policy and procedure and in consultation with the General Manager & HR Service Partner, Homeless Services & HSE Social Inclusion. To facilitate the induction of new Care/Shift Attendant & Locum staff and students (if applicable) in this service. To liaise with the Service Manager in dealing with any staff grievance matters in accordance with agreed policy and procedure. To assist the Service Manager in consultations with staff on decisions that may affect them. Building To monitor and ensure that all aspects of Health and Safety standards are met within the service in accordance with the Health and Safety policy To report any Health and Safety concerns or issues to the Service Manager Manage a maintenance system and ensure accommodation is maintained to a high standard. Information Management To support and monitor the further development of appropriate information management systems To support and monitor compliance with Data Protection legislation and the Service Users Confidentiality Policy Confidentiality To insure confidentiality is maintained at all times, in accordance with best practice, with regard to both Staff supervision files and case management files To contribute to and further imbed a culture of confidentiality as appropriate Case-Management Files To contribute to and support the implementation of progressive Information Technology systems, so as to facilitate the improvement of record-keeping and case-management systems Maintain standard of all files and record keeping systems Engage with referral agents and facilitate regular support plan reviews Complete move in; case management and move out processes in line with policies and best practice in social care Staff SupervisionLocum/Relief staff/ Shift Attendants Files To further develop, keep and maintain locum/Relief staff/ shift attendants staff supervision files in accordance with best practice. Supervision and Roster of Locum/Relief Care staff/Shift Attendants Monitoring and management of staff rosters in the managers absence or when delegated to do so Provide guidance and support to Locum/Relief Project Workers/Shift attendants as appropriate. Monitoring Resources To advise the Service Manager of efficiencies, pressures or requirements in relation to resources Crisis Management To have the ability to deal with and resolve difficult situation, when they arise in a calm and professional manner. Using proven crisis management techniques and following policy and procedures to ensure safety and relationships are maintained To act on behalf of the Service Manager as required, i.e., during annual leave, sick leave, or other necessary times as requested Duties and Responsibilities The Project Worker will: Proactively identify and engage with service users experiencing homelessness. Assess how the Service can assist them and prioritise their support needs. Complete screening/ initial assessment, develop and implement care/support plans, and conduct regular key working appointments as appropriate to the service users needs. Carry out risk assessments and risk management plans as appropriate. Participate in multi-agency working through case management and case reviews as appropriate. Ensure that all paperwork is completed including consent forms, enabling the service to advocate as appropriate with external agencies. Foster positive relationships with external agencies in order to maximise the supports and resources available to clients to help them address the issues which have resulted in them becoming homeless. Attendance at the weekly Homeless Action Team meeting as delegated in Service Managers absence. Assist people to complete or update their housing applications, as well as applications for HAP, provide assistance when seeking emergency accommodation, or to contact Landlords or Letting Agents. Administration and Accountability The Project Worker will: To work effectively within the team setting to administer the day to day aspects of the service as outlined in Standard Operating Procedures. To maintain high quality documentation standards as per GSCK policy and observe professional standards in respect of confidentiality and data security. To return statistics/data within required time frames. To report any issues affecting the administration of the service to your line manager. To attend Homeless Action Team meeting on a weekly basis as delegated in Service Managers absence. To meet with the Service Manager on a monthly basis for supervision. To identify any training gaps and undertake ongoing training in order to maintain high professional standards. To co-operate with aspects pertaining to the operation of new technology. Research The Project Worker will: To participate in relevant research/audit projects within the service in order to improve outcomes and standards in addiction and homeless services. To participate in initiatives that improves the quality of all aspects of the service. To contribute to any service improvement plans as a result of evaluation or audit. To ensure that service user opinion and feedback is sought in relation to all service development projects. To be flexible in relation to service delivery as the needs of the service dictate i.e. out of hours and provision of new service initiatives. To co-operate with staff policy and review procedures. Personal Development The Project Worker will: To engage in all training needs analysis. To maintain a commitment to further education and training. To maintain internal supervision to reflect and review practice. General The Project Worker will: To co-operate with the introduction and continued operation of new training programmes, identified as a result of international research, best practice, changing demands etc. in order to improve the quality of services provided. To co-operate with the development of new services GSCK or initiatives by the HSE Social Inclusion and/or Lead Local Authority. This will necessitate undertaking a broader and lower threshold case mix in the future. To co-operate with the implementation of the Homeless Strategy / National Drug Strategy, Regional Homeless Action Plan and HSE SIO Operational Plan. To co-operate with various methods that may be introduced to establish service user experience with service provision. To co-operate/participate in initiatives to improve the quality of services, including joint audit. To co-operate with on-going monitoring and evaluation of the effectiveness of services being provided, i.e.: o Accountability. o Service Outcomes. o Service objectives/priorities. o "Value for Money" initiatives. To co-operate with flexible working i.e. unsociable hours. To co-operate with all aspects of the design, installation and operation of new technology i.e. service user management and information systems. To carry out any other duties that may be assigned by the relevant Line Manager. Risk Management To be aware of the principles of risk management and to be individually responsible for risk management issues in your area of work to include all Health & Safety policies. To identify risk situations and take appropriate action. To work in a manner to minimise risk. Have a working knowledge of the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) Standards as they apply to the role for example, Standards for Better, Safer Healthcare (HSE) and the National Standards for Homeless Services and comply with associated HSE protocols and SE Homeless Services for implementing and maintaining these standards. The above Job Specification is not intended to be a comprehensive list of all duties involved and consequently, the post holder may be required to perform other duties as appropriate to the post which may be assigned to him/her from time to time and to contribute to the development of the post while in office. Eligibility Criteria Qualifications and/or experience a) i) Possess the National Diploma in Applied Social Care Studies awarded by awarded by Quality & Qualifications Ireland, (QQI) (Dearbhu Ciliochta agus Ciliochtai ireann) / DIT. Or ii) Possess the Diploma in Social Care awarded by awarded by Quality & Qualifications Ireland, (QQI) (Dearbhu Ciliochta agus Ciliochtai ireann) (formerly HETAC) / /DIT. Or iii) Possess the Diploma in Applied Social Studies/Social Care from DIT. Or iv) Possess a BA (Ord) in Social Care Practice (Level 7 on the QQI framework). Or v) Possess Open Training College National Diploma in Applied Social Studies (Disability). Or vi) Possess an equivalent qualification And b) Candidates must have a suitable standard of professional attainments. And c) Candidates must have the requisite knowledge and ability (including a high standard of suitability and ability for the proper discharge of the duties of the office). Experience Not less than 2 years experience in residential social care services; preferably in the homeless sector leadership experience in social care services, including supervision of social care staff would be a distinct advantage Extensive experience in working with behaviours that may challenge and supporting care-staff in similar environments Supporting organisational change in a complex environment Recording, reporting and information management A full and clean driving license Post Specific Requirement: Ability to demonstrate A thorough knowledge of principles of Social Care / Community Work A knowledge of Social Care supervision Knowledge of health and safety legislation; data protection, report writing, funding structures for homeless services In depth knowledge of Case Management, Key working & Holistic Needs Assessment, and use of PASS Database. Knowledge of the principles of Non-Violent Crisis Intervention and/ or Therapeutic Crisis Intervention would be an advantage Understanding of management principles in social acre settings Knowledge and understanding of relevant Government policy on homelessness and the Quality Standards Framework for Homeless Services