Outreach Project Worker
Location: Sophia Housing – Cork Street, Dublin 8 - primarily working with families in Private Emergency Accommodation Services in Co. Dublin, Co. Kildare (Naas) & Co. Meath (Stamullen) Contract: Fixed term Hours: Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm Job Purpose: To work on a daily basis with families and individuals coming from homelessness. To manage a caseload in Outreach Services, key work individuals, carry out assessments and care plans and regularly liaise with other agencies/authorities on behalf of the families. Sophia staff will identify move-on options and support families to progress them out of homelessness.
Responsibilities:
- To have regard for the objectives and ethos of Sophia Housing Association.
- To work as a member of the Support Team under the supervision of the Project Manager.
- To attend Team meetings and Case Management meetings and to participate in training as required.
- To participate in the assessment and interview process for referrals to the service.
- To work in a holistic way with Families and individuals as appropriate to their housing management and personal needs.
- To provide practical home support to residents when required.
- To provide resettlement preparation as required.
In Outreach services:
- The carry out assessments of new residents in Private Emergency Accommodation
- Manage issues regarding the welfare of residents as appropriate
- Support the move on of Residents from Private Emergency Accommodation
- The on-going support to residents in terms of accessing services, benefits, employment, residency etc.
- Assessment of individual and family needs, including childcare issues, school placements, access to GP, medical card etc.
- To respond to and report child protection concerns in line with Children First guidelines.
- To liaise with appropriate local crèche facilities and schools
- To plan for and assist Families with their move on from Private Emergency Accommodation. Work closely with Placement and HSO teams in the DRHE
- To liaise and work effectively with relevant personnel in Sophia Housing, and other relevant agencies; e.g. Local Authority, HSE, Private Accommodation Providers etc.
- To set up and maintain appropriate records of the work with Residents and the work of the Outreach Service.
- To ensure Occupancy Agreement is understood by Residents and to support placement sustainment
- To co-operate as appropriate with research and evaluation of the service.
- To implement Policy and Procedures within the service.
- To promote Resident involvement in the development of the Outreach Service.
Person Specification
- A degree in Social Care/Social Science/Applied Social Studies or related discipline i.e. addiction, social work.
- A minimum of one years’ experience working with this client group.
- An understanding of the issues affecting people who are homeless.
- Knowledge around child protection issues, mental health issues and addiction
- Must have own transport (essential)