Team Leader, B&B Outreach, Cork

Contract: 1-Year Fixed Term Contract, Full Time 

Location: Cork

The B&B Outreach Support Team will provide a range of supports to clients in B&Bs, hotels and other private emergency accommodation, to help them manage in, and move on efficiently from, emergency accommodation. Referrals to the service will be made through the APS Office Manager.

B&B Outreach Support Worker will use a care and case management approach, providing emotional and practical support to the men, women, families and children in private emergency accommodation and supporting them to exit emergency accommodation. 

What you will do:

• In conjunction with the Project Leader ensure effective and efficient care and case management team work across all disciplines. In addition ensure appropriate training, induction and supervision for the staff.
• To assist the project leader to maintain, develop and support staff performance, morale and motivation in line with all policies and procedures. To ensure staff carry out their professional duties to standards of best practise.
• To participate in relevant training and development courses as agreed with your Project Leader and to identify and respond to training needs of staff.
• Support and Advocacy for homeless individuals while in Emergency Accommodation.
• Assessing housing and other support needs of homeless clients using the Care and Case Management Assessment Tools and approach.
• Assisting service users to complete and follow-up the documentation and procedures to facilitate their timely exit from homeless services.
• Supporting clients to limit the effect of homelessness on themselves and their children. Initiating referrals to and seeking supports from other agencies (e.g., Tusla, health services, addiction) as required.
• To identify the correct referral path for the person as well as identifying the most appropriate accommodation type.
• Be deployed in a highly flexible manner and in accordance with the needs of Assessment & Placement Service.
• To check housing application status on the Social Housing List and assist if an application is not already in place.
• Outreach support consists of a range of tasks which enable the individuals to maintain/achieve their tenancy and include supports relating to practical home management (e.g., basic repairs, arrears management, debt counselling etc) to addressing anti-social behaviour (e.g., neighbour disputes, family relationships etc), assisting with mental health / healthcare needs and building links with community and social networks in the local area.
• Assisting in sourcing HAP private rented properties as the exit from homelessness.
• Intervention to manage complex and challenging behaviour.
• Assistance in managing medication/health regimes and liaising with GP and Pharmacists, methadone providers, arranging doctors/outpatients and other appointments.
• Maintaining security and safety of clients.
• To ensure all data is correct and live on Pathway Accommodation & Support System (PASS). Advocating on behalf of service user
• Completing the assessment and regularly reviewing the support plan
• Attend review meetings, staff meetings and any other meetings as requested by management.

What you will need:

• 1 years Leadership experience.
• 3-5 years direct experience of working with people experiencing homelessness.
• Third level qualification at degree level in social care, youth work or related discipline.
• A working knowledge and understanding of Therapeutic Crisis Intervention and Trauma Informed Care.
• Excellent report writing and IT skills.
• Experience of working and liaising with other agencies.

Ideally:

• Leadership skills.
• Communication skills.
• Knowledge and understanding of homelessness
• Ability to plan and implement programmes.
• Flexibility. 

Focus Ireland is an equal opportunities employer