Project: Pathways to Independent Living (Ending Homelessness in Communities Fund)
Employer: SHARP
Responsible to: Community Support Manager / Hostel Manager
Contract Type: Fixed-term contract for 3 years, subject to continuation of government funding
Job Purpose
The Floating Support Worker role is part of SHARP’s Pathways to Independent Living Project, funded through the Government’s Ending Homelessness in Communities Fund (EHCF). This is a fixed-term project for three years, subject to the availability and continuation of funding.
The post holder will provide high-quality, person-centred and strengths-based support to individuals who are leaving supported housing to move into an independent tenancy and could experience barriers in sustaining their accommodation. The role will contribute directly to preventing homelessness, supporting tenancy sustainment, improving independent living skills and enabling individuals to achieve positive long-term outcomes.
Working as part of SHARP’s Community Support Team, the Floating Support Worker will deliver flexible outreach support to individuals within their own homes, temporary accommodation and community settings. The post holder will work alongside beneficiaries to identify their needs, develop personalised support plans and provide practical and emotional support to help individuals maintain accommodation and progress towards greater independence.
The successful candidate will support individuals who may have multiple and complex needs, including challenges relating to mental health, substance misuse, social isolation, financial difficulties and previous experience of homelessness. Through a trauma-informed, empowering and non-judgemental approach, the Floating Support Worker will help beneficiaries build confidence, resilience and the skills required to live independently.
The role will also support individuals moving on from SHARP’s 19-bed hostel, The Gables, into more independent accommodation, providing wraparound support to ensure successful transitions and reduce the risk of repeat homelessness.
Key Responsibilities
Housing and Tenancy Sustainment Support
- Provide practical and emotional support to individuals to enable them to maintain safe and stable accommodation.
- Support beneficiaries to understand and meet tenancy responsibilities, reducing the risk of tenancy breakdown.
- Assist individuals with budgeting, managing bills, accessing benefits, reducing rent arrears and developing financial independence.
- Support individuals to establish and maintain their homes, including household routines, cleaning, organisation and basic property management.
- Identify barriers that may impact on housing stability and work collaboratively with beneficiaries to develop solutions.
Independent Living Skills and Personal Development
- Support individuals to develop the skills, confidence and resilience required to live independently.
- Provide practical support with daily living activities, including shopping, meal planning, appointments and accessing community resources.
- Encourage beneficiaries to develop positive routines, meaningful activities and social connections.
- Work alongside individuals to identify personal goals and support progress towards greater independence.
Health, Wellbeing and Specialist Support
- Encourage and support beneficiaries to access appropriate health services, mental health provision, substance misuse services and other specialist support.
- Promote positive health and wellbeing choices through a supportive and non-judgemental approach.
- Work collaboratively with partner agencies to ensure individuals receive coordinated and holistic support.
- Advocate on behalf of beneficiaries where appropriate to improve access to services.
Homelessness Prevention and Move-On Support
- Provide support to individuals who have been homeless, rough sleeping, sofa surfing or at risk of losing their accommodation.
- Support beneficiaries moving from supported housing projects into move-on accommodation, ensuring a safe and successful transition.
- Provide ongoing floating support to help individuals sustain their accommodation and avoid repeat homelessness.
- Support individuals to access employment, education, volunteering and training opportunities where appropriate.
Monitoring, Recording and Outcome Measurement
- Maintain accurate and timely records in line with SHARP policies, procedures and confidentiality requirements.
- Complete assessments, support plans and reviews with beneficiaries.
- Use the Outcome Star framework to measure individual progress towards independence and improved wellbeing.
- Contribute to monitoring reports, performance information and evidence of project outcomes.
- Attend supervision, team meetings and training opportunities to maintain effective practice.
Promotion of SHARP Floating Support Service and Referrals
- Actively promote SHARP’s Floating Support Service to statutory, voluntary and community partners to increase awareness of the support available and ensure appropriate individuals can access the service.
- Develop and maintain positive working relationships with referral partners, including Sandwell Council, housing services, health providers, probation services, community organisations and other relevant agencies.
- Identify opportunities to strengthen referral pathways and encourage appropriate referrals for individuals who are homeless, at risk of homelessness or requiring support to sustain their accommodation.
- Respond to referrals in a timely manner, complete initial assessments and determine appropriate levels of support based on individual needs.
- Work collaboratively with partners to ensure beneficiaries receive coordinated support and that barriers to accessing services are reduced.
- Represent SHARP professionally within the community, promoting the aims and objectives of the organisation and the positive outcomes achieved through its services.
Safeguarding and Partnership Working
- Promote safeguarding and the protection of vulnerable adults in accordance with SHARP safeguarding policies.
- Recognise, respond to and report safeguarding concerns appropriately.
- Work collaboratively with statutory and voluntary sector partners, including housing services, health providers, probation services, community organisations and other support agencies.
- Develop positive professional relationships that improve outcomes for beneficiaries.
Person Specification
Essential Requirements
Experience and Knowledge
- Experience of working with vulnerable adults experiencing homelessness, housing difficulties, mental health challenges, substance misuse issues or social exclusion.
- Understanding of homelessness prevention, housing support and tenancy sustainment.
- Experience of providing person-centred support and working with individuals with complex needs.
- Understanding of safeguarding responsibilities and professional boundaries.
Skills and Abilities
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to build trusting relationships.
- Ability to work independently, manage a caseload and prioritise competing demands.
- Ability to assess needs, develop support plans and monitor progress.
- Good organisational and record-keeping skills.
- Ability to work collaboratively with partner agencies.
Other Essential Requirements
- Full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle, as the role requires regular travel across Sandwell to undertake home visits, attend appointments and support beneficiaries accessing services.
- Ability to work flexibly to meet the needs of beneficiaries and the service.
- Commitment to equality, diversity, inclusion and supporting individuals in a non-judgemental way.
Desirable Requirements
- Qualification or training in housing, social care, health, community development or a related field.
- Experience of using outcome measurement tools such as Outcome Star.
- Knowledge of local services and referral pathways within Sandwell.
- Experience supporting individuals moving from supported accommodation into independent living.
Expected Outcomes of the Role
The Floating Support Worker will contribute to the achievement of SHARP’s EHCF project outcomes by:
- Increasing the number of people able to sustain safe and suitable accommodation.
- Preventing homelessness and reducing the risk of repeat homelessness.
- Supporting successful transitions from The Gables and other supported accommodation schemes into independent living.
- Improving beneficiaries’ confidence, skills and resilience.
- Increasing engagement with health, wellbeing, employment and specialist support services.
- Demonstrating measurable progress through the Outcome Star framework.
Pay: £26,656.50 per year
Work Location: In person
