Project Worker, Housing Support, South Kildare / West Wicklow

Location: South Kildare and West Wicklow

Contract: Full- time, 2 Year Fixed Term Contract

Salary Scale: Aligned to Focus Ireland Scale
(Starting Salary €36,687 - €39,856.49)

The purpose of this role is to provide a package of support which will enable individuals who attend Adult mental health services in CH07 to live independently and become full participants in their communities. In collaboration with HSE Adult Mental Health Services support individuals on their pathway to independent living and provide post-settlement housing support.

What you will do:

• Carry out duties in accordance with the values, ethos & mission statement of the Focus Ireland.
• Contribute to the on-going development of standards, policies and procedures. To be familiar with and comply with all relevant Focus Ireland policy e.g. Child Protection Policy, Confidentiality Policy, Customer Complaints Policy, Health and Safety Policy, Personnel Policy.
• Attend regular team-meetings with all staff to ensure effective communication sharing, discussion and review of practice, service user welfare and outcomes.
• To work with and under the supervision and direction of the line management within the project and engage in supervision sessions on a regular basis and attend Team, Section and Agency meetings, as required.
• Ensure consent for record-keeping, information-sharing, referral and advocacy prior to proceeding with any of those activities.
• To assist with the role out of the Creating Foundations model within mental health services in CHO7.
• Provide home visiting (where possible in the context of risk assessment) and carry out practical support as needed to help the person to build independent living skills and coping strategies as needed.
• Visit the individual in the community to explore their new area and support with community integration.
• To make contact with and establish links as appropriate with local services and relevant community groups who can assist with community integration and to work closely where appropriate with housing providers.
• Provide assistance in form filling, medical card, social welfare benefits, housing entitlements.
• Work with the person according to their wishes and preferences regarding housing/maintain and/or build a social network / contacts and relationships with family and friends.
• Assist people in building the competence and capacity to meet their own personal needs: e.g. personal hygiene, cooking skills, laundry, budgeting, diet and healthy living etc.
• Assist and advise the individual in building positive relations with neighbours including avoidance or resolution of disputes.
• To provide regular concise written updates to the Mental Health Services regarding their service users, for their files.
• To be a member of the community mental health team (CMHT) and will participate in team meetings, care planning meetings and training as required.
• To work closely with the members of the CMHT to assess the housing need in the area, and in developing recovery focused housing and support plans for service users.
• Contribute to implementing the ‘National Housing Strategy for Disabled People 2022-2027 Implementation Plan’ through the work of the project and occasionally contribute to feedback on related policy documents.

What you will need:

• A relevant Third Level qualification at degree level in social care, or related fields.
• Experience working in a social care setting and/or in a supported housing project.
• Experience of inter-agency working.
• Experience of supporting individuals with a mental health diagnosis.
• Experience and knowledge of child safeguarding.
• 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 display flexibility in the role.
• Willingness to develop professional skills as identified through supervision.
• Full driving licence and access to a car is required as the project covers a broad geographical area.
• Lived experience. (Desirable)
• Advocacy on behalf of a vulnerable client groups. (Desirable)
• Recording, reporting and information management. (Desirable)
• Information Technology skills. (Desirable)

To apply please submit your CV & Cover Letter Here
Closing date for applications: 12.00pm, 23rd May 2024

Focus Ireland is an equal opportunities employer