To apply for this post you will need to apply via the form on our website: https://www.carenelincs.co.uk/work-with-us
Purpose of the role
The Day Services Coordinator will lead CARE's engagement with people who are sleeping rough or at immediate risk of rough sleeping, helping them move from life on the streets towards safe accommodation, stability and independence.
The postholder will be based within the CARE Hub, building trusting relationships with people who are sleeping rough or at risk of rough sleeping. They will create a welcoming environment where people feel safe, valued and able to engage with support, helping them move from crisis towards accommodation, belonging and independence. Alongside their work within the Hub, they will undertake targeted street outreach, visit prisons and hospitals to meet people before release or discharge, and work with partner organisations to reduce the risk of people returning to rough sleeping.
The Day Services Coordinator works alongside CARE's Crisis Support Coordinator and Crisis Support Worker, who lead on housing, crisis intervention and practical support. While the Crisis Support Team help people secure and sustain accommodation, the Day Services Coordinator focuses on helping people rebuild confidence, develop meaningful relationships, rediscover their abilities and become part of a supportive community. Together, these complementary roles provide both the practical support people need to move off the streets and the opportunities that help them build lives they want to sustain.
As CARE's Hub develops, the Day Services Coordinator will take the lead in coordinating activities and opportunities on the upper floor specifically for people with experience of rough sleeping. Working alongside volunteers, partner organisations and sessional workers, they will develop a varied programme that helps people rebuild confidence, develop practical skills, strengthen relationships and sustain their accommodation.
The role recognises that moving someone into accommodation is only the beginning. Long term recovery depends upon belonging, purpose, meaningful activity and continued support within a trusted community.
Main Responsibilities
Engagement with Rough Sleepers
- Build trusting relationships with people who are sleeping rough or at risk of rough sleeping, primarily through the CARE Hub.
- Create a welcoming environment where people feel safe, valued and able to engage with support.
- Work patiently with people who may not yet be ready to engage with services, recognising that trust often develops over time.
- Encourage people to access the CARE Hub, participate in activities and engage with CARE's housing and support services.
- Work alongside the Crisis Support Team to encourage engagement with personalised housing and recovery plans, supporting people as they move from rough sleeping towards accommodation and greater independence.
Community Outreach
- Undertake targeted street outreach to engage with people sleeping rough and encourage them to access the CARE Hub.
- Visit local prisons, hospitals and other settings to meet people who are at risk of homelessness before release or discharge.
- Work alongside the Crisis Support Team and partner agencies to support planned transitions into accommodation before people return to the community wherever possible.
- Maintain awareness of local rough sleeping locations and respond flexibly to referrals and emerging need.
- Undertake occasional outreach outside normal office hours where this will improve engagement with people sleeping rough.
- Lead the recruitment and coordination of weekend staff, working with the Director of Operations, to enable the CARE Hub to open on Saturdays and Sundays for two hours each day.
- Develop and oversee the weekend staffing rota, ensuring seven-day access for people sleeping rough.
- Coordinate an emergency weekend on-call rota for urgent cover outside normal Hub opening hours, with clear support and escalation arrangements in place.
- Provide occasional weekend cover at the CARE Hub, typically one two-hour session on two Saturdays or Sundays each month.
- Review weekend attendance, engagement and any issues arising, using this learning to develop the service safely and effectively.
Coordination of Day Services and Recovery Activities
The Day Services Coordinator will develop and coordinate activities within the CARE Hub for people with experience of rough sleeping. This work will begin within the existing Hub space and grow as the upper floors become operational.
The postholder will:
- Coordinate a varied programme of activities that promotes wellbeing, confidence, independence and community participation.
- Develop opportunities including cooking, creative arts, music, gardening, education, employability, volunteering, peer support and life skills.
- Work with individuals to identify their interests, strengths and aspirations, helping them rediscover existing skills and develop new ones.
- Create opportunities for people to build friendships, contribute to the life of the Hub and develop a sense of belonging and purpose.
- Coordinate volunteers, partner organisations and sessional workers delivering activities within the Hub.
- Develop small scale activities within the existing Hub space, while preparing for a wider programme as the upper floors open.
- Continually develop the programme in response to the interests, strengths and ideas of people attending the Hub.
- Support community meals, celebrations and other activities that strengthen relationships and encourage long term engagement.
Volunteers and Partner Organisations
- Recruit, support and supervise volunteers involved in the day service.
- Encourage people using the Hub to progress into volunteering, training and other meaningful opportunities.
- Coordinate partner organisations and sessional workers delivering activities within the Hub.
- Develop positive working relationships with statutory and voluntary sector organisations to improve opportunities for people with experience of rough sleeping.
- Identify and develop new partnerships that broaden the range of activities and opportunities available through the Hub.
Supporting Access to Housing and Services
- Work closely with CARE's Crisis Support Team and external partners to support people as they move towards accommodation.
- Encourage and support people to engage with housing providers, health services, education providers and other agencies.
- Provide practical assistance, advocacy and signposting where appropriate.
- Identify safeguarding concerns and follow CARE's safeguarding procedures.
Monitoring and Service Development
- Maintain accurate records of engagement, attendance, referrals and outcomes using CARE's recording systems.
- Collect feedback, case studies and outcome data to demonstrate the impact of the service.
- Help evaluate and develop the service as the CARE Hub continues to grow.
General Responsibilities
- Help maintain a welcoming, safe and well organised environment within the CARE Hub.
- Ensure activity spaces are prepared and equipped for daily use.
- Report maintenance issues and contribute to the smooth running of the building.
- Provide occasional weekend cover at the CARE Hub, typically one two-hour session on two Saturdays or Sundays each month.
- Undertake occasional evening street outreach where appropriate to engage with people who are sleeping rough. Hours worked outside normal working hours may be taken back as time off in lieu.
- Undertake other duties appropriate to the role, consistent with the aims and values of CARE.
Person Specification
Essential
· Experience working within the homelessness sector and being able to show the barriers that the homeless face.
· Multi-agency working experience.
· Experience building positive, trusting relationships with people experiencing homelessness or multiple disadvantage.
· Excellent organisational and coordination skills.
· Experience planning, organising and delivering activities, groups or programmes.
· Ability to motivate, support and coordinate volunteers.
· Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
· Experience of managing challenging situations and using de-escalation techniques to resolve conflict safely.
· Ability to remain calm, professional and resilient when working with people in crisis.
· Ability to work effectively and patiently with people who may be reluctant to engage with services.
· Experience of working collaboratively with statutory and voluntary sector organisations.
· Good IT skills and experience of maintaining accurate records.
· Sound understanding of safeguarding and professional boundaries.
· Ability to work flexibly, including occasional evenings and weekend working.
Desirable
- Experience working directly with people who are sleeping rough.
- Experience of outreach work, including street outreach.
- Experience of working with people leaving prison or being discharged from hospital.
- Knowledge of housing and homelessness, housing pathways and local support services.
- Knowledge of trauma-informed practice.
- Experience supervising volunteers.
- First Aid qualification.
Personal Qualities
The successful candidate will:
- Treat every person with dignity and respect.
- Build relationships easily with people from all backgrounds.
- Be calm under pressure.
- Be organised and able to coordinate multiple activities at once.
- Show initiative and solve problems independently.
- Encourage others and recognise people's strengths.
- Be creative and enjoy developing new ideas.
- Be flexible and willing to work occasional evenings or weekends.
Pay: £30,000.00 per year
Work Location: In person
