Job Description                                              

Job Title:  Relief/Bank Homeless Welfare Officer
Accountable to: Head of Support and Housing Operations

Purpose of Job
To be available to cover a range of ad hoc shifts as and when required by the organisation. These shifts might be required to cover staff annual leave, sickness or vacancies. 

Main Purpose of Job:

Our Homeless Welfare Officers provide support and encouragement to our residents to help them take control of their lives and work towards securing permanent accommodation. 
The post holder will work with a variety of teams across the organisation and be ready to step in when cover is required. 

Shifts will be offered to the employee as and when cover is needed. Relief/Bank Homeless Welfare Officers can pick and choose which of the shifts offered they would like to do. 

The post holder will need to be available to work regularly during unsocial hours including weekends and early morning / late night work in order to support a range of shifts happening within the organisations various sites across Birkenhead. 

Specific Duties	

Delivery of Welfare and Support 
•	Provide practical advice, support and assistance to service users to settle them in their accommodation and meet their immediate needs
•	Engage with clients to motivate then to change away from street lifestyles using different motivational techniques and an empathetic attitude
•	Assist in the building of self-sufficiency and resilience to improve well-being, quality of life and positive relationships
•	Providing an excellent level of service user care
•	To observe the YMCAs policy on Data Protection and Code of Confidentiality
•	Respond to incidents and challenging situations with professionalism and calm
•	Safeguard the wellbeing of all service users and uphold high standards of care
•	Observe and ensure compliance with the Service Code of Conduct including professional boundaries at all times
Record Keeping & Report Writing
•	Maintain accurate, up to date service-user records on the organisation’s databases
•	Report and log all safeguarding incidents and accidents
Health and Safety
•	Ensure at all times the safety of yourself and others on work premises 
•	Liaise with Emergency Services as required from time to time
•	Conduct routine Health & Safety checks and basic domestic tasks
Teamwork
•	Develop good working relationships with the various teams within the YMCA
•	Sharing information and expertise with colleagues, covering absence and working together to deliver a high-quality service
General
•	Work to agreed individual, team and organisational objectives
•	Work within relevant Health and Safety guidelines
•	Comply with all YMCAW policies and procedures
•	Any other reasonable duties as required by the organisation

Person Specification	

Relief/Bank Homeless Welfare Officer
		Essential / Desirable	
Qualifications

	Educated to GCSE Level or equivalent 
Educated to A-Level or equivalent vocational or professional training in health, psychology, social care, criminal justice, or a related field 	E
D	
Experience	Experience working with vulnerable people or those who have complex needs
Experience handling safeguarding concerns
Experience of working in the not-for-profit sector
Lived experience of homelessness, substance misuse or related issue	D
D
D

D	
Knowledge

	Knowledge of health, social care, housing or criminal justice systems
Knowledge of causes of homelessness, mental health and/or substance misuse
Familiarity with support services in Merseyside or surrounding areas	E

E

D	
Skills & Abilities

	IT skills in Microsoft Office applications
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
Practical approach to problem-solving
Emotional intelligence
Ability to remain calm when dealing with complex and difficult situations	D
E
E
E
E	
Personal Attributes and Behaviours
	Reliable with a strong work ethic 
Highly committed to improving the lives of vulnerable people
Flexible 
Prepared to work at unsociable times and at short notice
Highly empathetic, respectful and non-judgmental 
Friendly personality, confident and outgoing  	E
E
E
E
E
E