NAME OF PROJECT: START (Support for Tenancy And Recovery Targets)
INTRODUCTION TO THE MODEL
The START project seeks to develop effective and sustainable housing
pathways for mental health service users that require housing. Many of
the individuals will need specialist, individualised psychosocial
support towards living in secure accommodation which is suited to
their needs and is of their choosing.
The Mental Health Services have an interest in developing ?a whole
systems approach to recovery from mental illness that maximises an
individual?s quality of life and social inclusion and encourages
their skills, promoting independence and autonomy to give them hope
for the future and leads to successful community living through
appropriate support.? (Killaspy et al, **Apply on the website**)
Secure tenancies with support are recognized as the way forward for
many of those with complex needs. A number of Mental Health service
users require stable and secure accommodation as their current living
arrangements are exacerbating their mental health difficulties; they
may have developed a cycle of relapse and repeated admissions to the
admission unit or there is risk of homelessness or increased risk of
self- harm or safeguarding issues.
The Good Shepherd Centre in conjunction with Mental Health Service
Area 5 Carlow and in partnership with Carlow Council will provide
homes and a recovery orientated tenancy sustainment programme.
MAIN ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
* Work within the framework of the overall objectives and Policies of
the Good Shepherd Centre.
* To undertake assessments and support planning (recovery focused)
with clients. To assist clients address recovery goals and objectives
in keeping with life skills and tenancy sustainment.
* This contract is a specified purpose contract.
* To ensure to support tenants in accessing recovery focused
training, education and employment opportunities.
* To work as part of a multi-disciplinary team and service.
* To maintain a caseload of clients and offer clients ongoing
support until cases are handed over to the appropriate support
services.
* To accompany and provide support to clients with appointments to
other services, where appropriate
* To be responsible for keeping up to date casework records, daily
logs and written assessments.
* To work in close liaison and co-operation with other teams across
mental health and community-based services, in particular other
Statutory and Voluntary Agencies as deemed appropriate
* To work to the service model and standards of best practice
* To meet regularly for supervision of work with your assigned
Supervisor
* To attend all nominated training by your line manager
* To supervise students or volunteers as requested by assigned
supervisor or senior manager.
* To work a flexible roster over 5 days and occasional evenings to
meet the objective of the service
* To implement existing policies and procedures and to input into
the development of new ones
* To plan, implement and evaluate the daily activities.
* To undertake such other duties as might be reasonably assigned
from time to time in consultation with the Team Leader.
* To be vigilant to any Health, Safety and Welfare risks in the
workplace and bring any concerns to the attention of your line manager
or Health & Safety Representative
_THE GSCK ARE AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES EMPLOYER_
To engage with the identified service users with a view to
facilitating them in defining and attaining their own housing and
recovery goals, based on the ?recovery principles? of hope,
control and opportunity.
THE WORKER WILL USE A STRENGTHS BASED APPROACH IN:
* Conducting needs assessments, which will inform agreed care plans:
This will involve identifying and agreeing how the service user would
like to be supported by the worker and a discussion about the needs
and actions written into the service user?s mental health care
plan/clinical file.
* Assisting the service user to navigate processes required by the
Local Authority
* Ascertaining and supporting the service users? preferences in
relation to fuller participation in their local and wider communities
* Supporting the service user in developing life skills which will
foster independence and autonomy ; this may involve assistance with
practical tasks
* Communicating with the service user?s treating team to review
their needs and/or care plan; this will involve direct contact with
key MDT members who will have been named in the referral.
* Facilitating peer support of those with lived experience when
appropriate
* Supporting the service user in sustaining his or her tenancy by
addressing the key issues and planning for risk management when
required.
* Supporting the service user to self advocate when required or
advocating on his or her behalf as agreed. S/he may be supporting the
service user to engage with the approved advocacy organizations when
appropriate.
* Case managing their referrals to optimize tenancy sustainment and
independent living.
* Promoting the service user?s safety, health and wellbeing.
APPENDIX 2: HOUSING SUPPORT PHASES AND INTERVENTIONS
STEP 1: PREPARING TO MOVE
The Housing Support Worker will:
* Establish a supportive and respective relationship with service
users
* Support service users to identify a suitable housing option of
their choosing
* Work in partnership with service users to prepare for independent
living. OT supports may assist with this and can involve independent
living skills development and bespoke pre-tenancy training
* Liaise with the Local Authority and/ or Approved Housing Body to
secure housing. This process will be assisted by the HSE Housing
Coordinator.
* Engage with carers and family to ensure that their needs and
concerns are addressed
* Help service users to begin preparing for budgeting to live
independently
STEP 2: MOVING ON AND SETTLING IN
The Housing Support Worker will:
* Support service users in understanding tenancy agreements and the
rights and responsibilities of being a tenant
* Accompany service users to tenancy signings
* Assist service users in accessing financial supports to set up a
new home via the Community Welfare Service
* Assist service users in planning and coordinating the practical
aspects of moving in
* Help with setting up utility bills and implementing a budget
* Work with service users to overcome any initial difficulties in a
tenancy, e.g. repairs and maintenance issues
* Engage with the MDT to ensure that clinical support needs are
addressed
STEP 3: BECOMING INDEPENDENT
The Housing Support Worker will:
* Review the levels of support required and work with service users,
family/carers and mental health services to continuously move towards
further levels of independence
* Begin to assist service users in dealing directly themselves with
their landlord, utility providers etc.
* Ensure that service users know how and where to access all
appropriate services
* Develop a ?Local Resource Pack? with a service user that
contains details of local support services
* Liaise with the housing provider to address any concerns they may
have and to report on the status of the tenancy
* Conduct a final support review with service users and other
relevant stakeholders with a view to disengaging
TO APPLY:
Please send applications to **Apply on the website**
Closing date: 4th March **Apply on the website**
HOUSING SUPPORT JOB DESCRIPTION FOR MENTAL HEALTH SERVICE USERS
NAME OF PROJECT: START (Support for Tenancy And Recovery Targets)
INTRODUCTION TO THE MODEL
The START project seeks to develop effective and sustainable housing
pathways for mental health service users that require housing. Many of
the individuals will need specialist, individualised psychosocial
support towards living in secure accommodation which is suited to
their needs and is of their choosing.
The Mental Health Services have an interest in developing ?a whole
systems approach to recovery from mental illness that maximises an
individual?s quality of life and social inclusion and encourages
their skills, promoting independence and autonomy to give them hope
for the future and leads to successful community living through
appropriate support.? (Killaspy et al, **Apply on the website**)
Secure tenancies with support are recognized as the way forward for
many of those with complex needs. A number of Mental Health service
users require stable and secure accommodation as their current living
arrangements are exacerbating their mental health difficulties; they
may have developed a cycle of relapse and repeated admissions to the
admission unit or there is risk of homelessness or increased risk of
self- harm or safeguarding issues.
The Good Shepherd Centre in conjunction with Mental Health Service
Area 5 Carlow and in partnership with Carlow Council will provide
homes and a recovery orientated tenancy sustainment programme.
MAIN ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
* Work within the framework of the overall objectives and Policies of
the Good Shepherd Centre.
* To undertake assessments and support planning (recovery focused)
with clients. To assist clients address recovery goals and objectives
in keeping with life skills and tenancy sustainment.
* This contract is a specified purpose contract.
* To ensure to support tenants in accessing recovery focused
training, education and employment opportunities.
* To work as part of a multi-disciplinary team and service.
* To maintain a caseload of clients and offer clients ongoing
support until cases are handed over to the appropriate support
services.
* To accompany and provide support to clients with appointments to
other services, where appropriate
* To be responsible for keeping up to date casework records, daily
logs and written assessments.
* To work in close liaison and co-operation with other teams across
mental health and community-based services, in particular other
Statutory and Voluntary Agencies as deemed appropriate
* To work to the service model and standards of best practice
* To meet regularly for supervision of work with your assigned
Supervisor
* To attend all nominated training by your line manager
* To supervise students or volunteers as requested by assigned
supervisor or senior manager.
* To work a flexible roster over 5 days and occasional evenings to
meet the objective of the service
* To implement existing policies and procedures and to input into
the development of new ones
* To plan, implement and evaluate the daily activities.
* To undertake such other duties as might be reasonably assigned
from time to time in consultation with the Team Leader.
* To be vigilant to any Health, Safety and Welfare risks in the
workplace and bring any concerns to the attention of your line manager
or Health & Safety Representative
_THE GSCK ARE AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES EMPLOYER_
To engage with the identified service users with a view to
facilitating them in defining and attaining their own housing and
recovery goals, based on the ?recovery principles? of hope,
control and opportunity.
THE WORKER WILL USE A STRENGTHS BASED APPROACH IN:
* Conducting needs assessments, which will inform agreed care plans:
This will involve identifying and agreeing how the service user would
like to be supported by the worker and a discussion about the needs
and actions written into the service user?s mental health care
plan/clinical file.
* Assisting the service user to navigate processes required by the
Local Authority
* Ascertaining and supporting the service users? preferences in
relation to fuller participation in their local and wider communities
* Supporting the service user in developing life skills which will
foster independence and autonomy ; this may involve assistance with
practical tasks
* Communicating with the service user?s treating team to review
their needs and/or care plan; this will involve direct contact with
key MDT members who will have been named in the referral.
* Facilitating peer support of those with lived experience when
appropriate
* Supporting the service user in sustaining his or her tenancy by
addressing the key issues and planning for risk management when
required.
* Supporting the service user to self advocate when required or
advocating on his or her behalf as agreed. S/he may be supporting the
service user to engage with the approved advocacy organizations when
appropriate.
* Case managing their referrals to optimize tenancy sustainment and
independent living.
* Promoting the service user?s safety, health and wellbeing.
APPENDIX 2: HOUSING SUPPORT PHASES AND INTERVENTIONS
STEP 1: PREPARING TO MOVE
The Housing Support Worker will:
* Establish a supportive and respective relationship with service
users
* Support service users to identify a suitable housing option of
their choosing
* Work in partnership with service users to prepare for independent
living. OT supports may assist with this and can involve independent
living skills development and bespoke pre-tenancy training
* Liaise with the Local Authority and/ or Approved Housing Body to
secure housing. This process will be assisted by the HSE Housing
Coordinator.
* Engage with carers and family to ensure that their needs and
concerns are addressed
* Help service users to begin preparing for budgeting to live
independently
STEP 2: MOVING ON AND SETTLING IN
The Housing Support Worker will:
* Support service users in understanding tenancy agreements and the
rights and responsibilities of being a tenant
* Accompany service users to tenancy signings
* Assist service users in accessing financial supports to set up a
new home via the Community Welfare Service
* Assist service users in planning and coordinating the practical
aspects of moving in
* Help with setting up utility bills and implementing a budget
* Work with service users to overcome any initial difficulties in a
tenancy, e.g. repairs and maintenance issues
* Engage with the MDT to ensure that clinical support needs are
addressed
STEP 3: BECOMING INDEPENDENT
The Housing Support Worker will:
* Review the levels of support required and work with service users,
family/carers and mental health services to continuously move towards
further levels of independence
* Begin to assist service users in dealing directly themselves with
their landlord, utility providers etc.
* Ensure that service users know how and where to access all
appropriate services
* Develop a ?Local Resource Pack? with a service user that
contains details of local support services
* Liaise with the housing provider to address any concerns they may
have and to report on the status of the tenancy
* Conduct a final support review with service users and other
relevant stakeholders with a view to disengaging
TO APPLY:
Please send applications to **Apply on the website**
Closing date: 4th March **Apply on the website**
We need : English (Good)
Type: Permanent
Payment:
Category: Health
