Sanctuary Advice Worker – Marylebone Project

Salary: £31,927 per annum

Hours:  Averaging 40 hours per week: Five weeks rolling rota Working hours and rotas are subject to change by the organisation as required, based on operational/service need, though we try not to do this frequently. Some flexability in working hours is expected

Contract: Full-time, open ended

Church Army & The Role

For over 140 years Church Army has equipped and empowered people to share the good news of the gospel in accessible ways across the UK & Ireland.

We go to places where hope is hard to find; journeying with people, giving them the opportunity to meet and connect with the God who restores and brings life in all its fullness. And this is what compels us: our vision for everyone to encounter God’s love and be empowered to transform their communities.

We are an army of hope with good news to share. Igniting faith in Jesus; restoring life: physically, emotionally, spiritually.

Are you a good listener, compassionate and understanding, motivated by working as part of team, an organised and gifted multitasker, experienced in working with vulnerable women and want to make a difference to the lives of vulnerable women in crisis?

As a Sanctuary Night Advice Worker, you will have the privilege of providing impartial and confidential information, advice, and guidance to service users about a variety of topics which include housing and employment.  Empowering our women is at the heart of what we do, and this role will enable you to do that to the full, ensuring that service users are aware of their choices and options, linking them in and signposting to specialist services. You’ll explain the options available to the people you work with, helping them to make informed choices about their future.

Main Responsibilities:

• Provide a high-quality, person-centred support service to service users with a range of low to high needs.
• Provide a holistic support to a caseload of rough sleeping women who access the Centre, signposting service users to the relevant services that will address their needs.
• Assist in the provision of our Drop – in within a safe, secure, trauma informed environment. Meeting the basic needs of the clients by providing food, warmth, shelter, showering facilities, meaningful activities, and a safe place to sleep.
• Produce person centred and high-quality documents for a caseload of clients including risk assessments, support plans and referrals relating to their needs. This includes and is not limited to; housing, employment, health and financial needs.
• Provide up to date housing advice and guidance to low-to-high support service users. Signposting them to the relevant specialist services in order for them to access stable accommodation.
• Provide tenancy management and holistic support for service users in the Emergency Bed Services.

Knowledge, Skills & Experience:

The successful candidate will have:

• Paid experience of working with vulnerable people and those with complex needs in an Advice and Guidance or Support Worker role. (or equivalent)
• Experience of providing Advice, Guidance and information (IAG) to vulnerable adults.
• Experience of managing a caseload of service users with low to high support needs. Creating and updating all relevant documents such as risk assessments and support plans
• An understanding of effective voids and arrears management, including financial support, with up-to date knowledge of the welfare benefit system.
• Experience of working with clients in a trauma-informed way with proven effectiveness.
• The ability to demonstrate excellent customer service skills. Ability to develop good working relationships and rapport with services users and stakeholders
• The Ability to effectively risk assess within a dynamic, fast paced environment
• Passion for working with vulnerable women and providing outstanding service.
• Willingness to take direction and instruction as part of working as a team.

Church Army employees get access to a variety of different benefits, to see what benefits you would be eligible for please check the job pack linked below.

• WeCare – Provides access to a 24/7 online GP, mental health support service, get fit programmes, counselling and wellbeing support.
• LifeWorks – LifeWorks allows employees to access ‘employee perks’ which supplies exclusive discounts, cashback, gift cards and cinema deals.
• Cycle to Work Scheme – CycleScheme allows you to purchase a new bike and accessories through Church Army. With no upfront payment it can save you 25% – 39% with tax-effective monthly repayments.
• Specsavers Eye Tests – Employees who habitually use display screen equipment for their job, will be eligible for an eye test voucher with Specsavers.
• Annual Leave: 224 hours (Equivalent of 28 days, inclusive of bank holidays), rising by 8 hours (one day) per year to a maximum of 264 hours (33 days) after each full year’s service. As the project works on a 24/7 basis, you will be required to work some bank holidays including Christmas and New Year.

Occupational Requirement & Physical Requirement:

Due to the responsibilities of the role, there is an occupational requirement under the Equality Act 2010 that the post holder is female.

The Marylebone Project is based over two sites, 100m apart, up to 7 floors, and the job regularly involves walking throughout and between both sites. The post holder must be able to access all areas of the Project and may be required to do so quickly in the event of an emergency. There is also a requirement to travel across London for work related purposes. The ability to undertake these physical aspects of the role and to carry smaller items are required as essential

DBS: This post is subject to an enhanced DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check and compliant with safeguarding policies and procedures. Safeguarding training will be required.

How to Apply:

To apply, please complete a Marylebone application form and send this to our email: Recruitment@churcharmy.org

For more information on this role please refer to the job pack.

Closing Date: Monday the 30th of September 2024 at 8am

Interviews: Monday 7th October 2024