Supported Housing Support Worker at YMCA DownsLink Group

Our Young Families Project houses 22 young families in locations across the city in low and medium supported accommodation. As a team member, you will take an assets-based approach, working with parents and their children in their homes and the community to provide focussed family and housing support which improves parenting capacity, increases the aspirations and motivations of families to take up education, employment and training opportunities and improves family function with children feeling more secure and parents confident in their parenting abilities. We are a small friendly team consisting of a Project Manager, Deputy Project Manager and 3 Project Support Workers.

We are looking for a Supported Housing Support Worker to join our Brighton Young Families team. Main areas of responsibilities are:

Coaching and Engagement

- Coach an agreed number of young parents to articulate and achieve their aspirations and ambitions and acquire the skills they need to live independent and fulfilling lives with their children
- Work proactively, creatively, and effectively with young parents to help them to develop a consistent and positive approach to parenting aimed at addressing behaviours and overcoming challenges
- To promote and facilitate parental understanding of a child’s needs and to support parents to provide an appropriate environment in which children feel safe, and which encourages the development of both the child’s and parents’ self-esteem and resilience
- Coach young parents to develop strong networks and connections outside of the service, which will sustain them once they move on. Encourage and proactively assist in the development of skills needed to successfully live, learn, and work.

General:

- Contribute to a great working environment, with a calm, yet assertive manner, being able to handle potentially difficult situations
- Participate in relevant continuing professional development and utilise Reflective Practice Supervision as part of leading psychologically informed practice

Experience and Knowledge:

- Experienced in working directly with young parents aged 16-21 years old and able to engage and relate well to this age group and their children
- Experience of working with children
- Competent understanding of the key safeguarding and health risks, challenges and opportunities for young parents and their children
- Knowledge of the roles and responsibilities of statutory and voluntary services and experience of liaising with them
- Experienced in making informed assessments of need and risks and to formulate appropriate plans, including Early Help Assessments and where appropriate acting as Lead Professional
- Good knowledge of child development, particularly that of new-born babies and its influence on parent/child relationship in every stage of a child’s development. Proven experience in safeguarding young children and vulnerable adults.

Skills and Abilities:

- Able to inspire and work proactively with young parents to develop their talents.
- Able to build strong relationships with other professionals in other organisations.
- A strong team player who can support and challenge colleagues appropriately.
- Uses a range of methods for persuasion and achieving positive results with young families.
- Excellent record keeping and report writing. There is a strong element around data recording using a variety of data management systems, we require staff who are confident in their ability to adapt easily to these systems.
- Excellent IT skills including Microsoft Office and data management systems such as B-Think or INFORM.
- Qualifications and Training Educated to GCSE/NVQ Level 2 in relevant subjects, or equivalent through relevant CPD training/experience relating to housing, support work, and/or working with young people or adults at risk Evidence of CPD relating to housing, support work and/or working with young people or vulnerable adults