Assessment and Placement Officer

Location: Limerick City and County Council / Limerick Homeless Action Team

Experience working in a social care setting required

Contract: Full-time, 1 Year-Fixed Term

Hours: Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm

The purpose of this role is to provide a support service within Limerick City and County Council/ Limerick Homeless Action Team whereby clients can access advice and information as to their eligibility for emergency homeless services.

What you will do:

• To make and take appointments, interview and assess clients seeking a home less service by appointment or unscheduled presentations at the public counter in Limerick City and County Council Limerick Homeless Action Team
• To provide assessment and advice to people who are homeless.
• To participate where necessary in the Homeless Action Team.
• To enable and assist clients to source suitable private rented accommodation.
• To work with clients placed in emergency facilities with a view to securing long term accommodation and where possible, avoiding continued placement in emergency facilities.
• Assist clients in settling into accommodation and ensuring they are fully briefed on services available to them from external agencies.
• To receive and act upon referrals submitted via the interdisciplinary referral protocol.
• Assist persons who are eligible for social housing, providing information and Assistance in presenting the application
• Investigate cases thoroughly on behalf of Limerick City and County Council Limerick Homeless Action Team, maintaining link s with other authorities, Gardai, CWO's etc.
• Increase access to health and social services for those experiencing homelessness.
• Create and maintain files and records of clients.
• To provide the Coordinator with monthly reports on the caseload and move on plans.
• To work with a client-centered approach, encouraging autonomy and independence
• To make contact with and establish links as appropriate with local services and relevant community groups and to work closely where appropriate with housing providers.
• To manage an allocated caseload and adhere to Care and Case Management processes and protocols.
• To be aware of responsibilities and respond appropriately to any situation where child protection and welfare is a concern.
• To liaise with, work co-operatively and effectively with the other personnel in
• Limerick City and County Council Limerick Homeless Action Team in relation to organisational procedures and policies in areas of personnel, finance, administration, research, development, education, public awareness and services.
• Policy, Customer Complaints Policy, Health and Safety Policy, Personnel Policy.
• To work with and under the supervision and dinc tion of the line management within Limerick City and County Council Limerick Homeless Action Team and engage in supervision sessions on a regular basis.
• To be familiar with and comply with all relevant Limerick City and County Council Limerick Homeless Action Team policy e.g. Child Protection Policy, Confidentiality
• To maintain accurate records and statistics in accordance with Limerick City ; County Council Limerick Homeless Action Team policy.
• To be vigilant to any Health, Safety and Welfare risks in the workplace and bring any concerns to the attention of your line manager or Health & Safety Representative
• To attend and contribute to Team Section and Agency meetings as required.
• To participate in relevant training and development courses as agreed with the Coordinator Homeless Services.
• To undertake such other duties as might be reasonably assigned from time to time in consultation with the Coordinator Homeless Services.

What you will need:

• A relevant Third Level qualification at degree level i.e. social care, psychology, sociology
• Experience working in a social care setting
• Experience of dealing with child protection and welfare responsibilities and responding appropriately to any concerns
• Experience in carrying out assessments, including risk assessments
• Experience in developing support plans and carrying out reviews
• Ability to deal with challenging behaviour
• Ability to work alone and in a team setting
• Ability to display flexibility in the role
• Willingness to develop professional skills as identified through supervision
• Advocacy on behalf of a similar client group (Desirable)
• Report writing skills (Desirable)
• Information Technology skills (Desirable)

Please click here to apply.

Focus Ireland is an equal opportunities employer