Project Worker - Access Housing Unit

Job Title: Project Worker - Access Housing Unit

Purpose of Job:
To support people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness to secure and sustain their accommodation by providing the relevant supports. To deliver time-limited tenancy support services to ensure tenancies can be sustained.
Reports to: Assistant Manager, Access Housing Unit

Contract: Full time permanent

Salary: €36,000 per annum

CORU registration desirable

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Principal Duties

•Liaise with referral agents to discuss referrals.
•Provide information to clients on the operation of the service.
•Support clients in accessing accommodation.
•Meet with and assess clients to ensure they can live independently.
•Support clients to make the transition to independent living providing pre-tenancy training and support where appropriate.
•Support clients to process HAP Applications and liaise with Cork City and County Council.
•Provide Tenancy Sustainment to individuals identified in need of support to sustain their tenancy.
•Ensure a detailed needs assessment is completed to adequately support the client to maintain their accommodation.
•Mediate in landlord-tenant disputes where appropriate, particularly where the tenancy is at risk.
•Provide landlords with information on the operation of the service.
•Deliver outreach services through visiting support.
•Develop time limited support plans with agreed goals to address individual tenant’s needs.
•Adapt a Case Management approach by advocating on behalf of clients to ensure they achieve their support plan goals.
•Accompany clients to appointments with the DSP to apply for Exceptional Needs Payments and assist with any welfare queries when required.
•Empower clients to respond to issues which arise by signposting service users to relevant support agencies.
•Recognise and respond to social isolation among service users and devise a plan to address this support need.
•Liaise with other Threshold services making referrals as appropriate.
•Respond to social issues which may present i.e., addiction, mental health, domestic violence, child protection concerns or anti-social behaviour.
•Work in partnership with Local Department Representatives, Cork City, Cork County Council, support and outreach workers in homeless services and other statutory and voluntary agencies as appropriate.
•Ensure that targets are achieved as set out in relation to performance indicators and standards for the service.
•Represent the AHU and Threshold at various external meetings, events, training, and forums.

Ideal Candidate:
•At least two years’ experience in a similar/related role.
•Non-judgmental and empathetic approach in dealing with service users, with a commitment to securing housing rights for those who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.
•Ability to deal with and work with challenging behaviour.
•Willingness to work as part of a team and also the ability to work independently.
•Flexible, with a commitment to very high standards of work and customer care.
•Practical experience of assessment, planned support and advocacy with marginalised people.

Hours: The position is full time (37.5 hours per week) and while the office is open from Monday-Friday 9.00am-5.30pm, the role requires flexibility from the post holder. Likewise, flexibility will be granted from the employer.

Holidays – 22 days per annum. One additional day will be accrued for every two years worked up to a maximum of 25 days on a pro rata basis. Thereafter one additional day is accrued for every five years worked on a pro rata basis.
Probation – 6 Months probationary period