Project Worker

Access Housing Unit · Cork, Munster

Purpose of Job

To support people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness to secure and sustain their accommodation by providing the relevant supports. To deliver time-limited tenancy support services to ensure tenancies can be sustained.

Principal Duties

Resettlement & Sustainment Support

• Meet with and assess clients to ensure they can live independently.
• Support clients to make the transition to independent living providing pre-tenancy training and support where appropriate.
• Support clients to process HAP Applications and liaise with Cork City and County Council.
• Provide Tenancy Sustainment to individuals identified in need of support to sustain their tenancy.
• Ensure a detailed needs assessment is completed to adequately support the client to maintain their accommodation.
• Mediate in landlord-tenant disputes where appropriate, particularly where the tenancy is at risk.
• Provide landlords with information on the operation of the service.
• Develop time limited support plans with agreed goals to address individual tenant’s needs.
• Adapt a Case Management approach by advocating on behalf of clients to ensure they achieve their support plan goals.
• Accompany clients to appointments with the DSP to apply for Exceptional Needs Payments and assist with any welfare queries when required.
• Liaise effectively with a range of service providers both voluntary and statutory to ensure services are available to service users.
• Provide resettlement and sustainment support to clients to monitor rent and bill payments, budgeting, social supports and ensure tenancy checklists are complete.
• Empower clients to respond to issues which arise by signposting service users to relevant support agencies.
• Respond to social issues which may present i.e., addiction, mental health, domestic violence, child protection concerns or anti-social behaviour.
• Ensure that service users are aware of their rights and responsibilities as tenants.
• Ensure that services are of a high quality, based on best practice models and respond to the needs of clients.
• Work in partnership with Local Department Representatives, Cork City, Cork County Council, support and outreach workers in homeless services and other statutory and voluntary agencies as appropriate.

Administrative & Other

• Contribute to the development of the Access Housing Unit and Threshold through participation in regular team meetings.
• Ensure that targets are achieved as set out in relation to performance indicators and standards for the service.
• Ensure accurate record keeping in accordance with Threshold policies.
• Represent the AHU and Threshold at various external meetings, events, training, and forums.
• Undertake such duties as may be assigned by the Assistant Manager and/or Regional Manager.

Ideal Candidate

• At least two years’ experience in a similar/related role.
• Non-judgemental and empathetic approach in dealing with service users, with a commitment to securing housing rights for those who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.
• Ability to deal with and work with challenging behaviour.
• Willingness to work as part of a team and also the ability to work independently.
• Flexible, with a commitment to very high standards of work and customer care.
• Practical experience of assessment, planned support and advocacy with marginalised people.

Location: Cork, Munster (Hybrid)

Department: Access Housing Unit

Employment Type: Employee Full-Time

Compensation: €36,000 per annum

Please click here to apply