Community Support Worker / Liaison Officer

Community Support Worker / Liaison Officer with experience in giving advice, guidance and signposting and strong organisational and time management skills, who has passion, drive and ambition to improve the lives of GRT communities is required for an independent charity based in Guildford, Surrey.

This role is known within the organisation as a Gypsy, Roma and Traveller (GRT) Advice and Guidance Officer

SALARY: £29,000 per annum + Benefits

LOCATION: Hybrid working - Based in the office in Burpham, Surrey and from home, with frequent travel to the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames.

JOB TYPE: Full-Time, 15 Month Contract initially (possibility of continuation depending on funding)

WORKING HOURS: 35 hours per week, 9am - 5pm - Flexible working (occasional evening work may be necessary)

PLEASE NOTE:You will have to travel across Surrey and also frequently to sites within the Royal Borough of Kingston-upon-Thames. Access to transport would be an advantage where public transport is not an option (the organisation can support you into the Access to Work scheme as needed).

You will need to live within Surrey or Bordering Counties due to travel across Surrey

JOB OVERVIEW

We have a fantastic new job opportunity for a Community Support Worker / Liaison Officer with experience in giving advice, guidance and signposting and strong organisational and time management skills, who has passion, drive and ambition to improve the lives of GRT communities.

The role of Community Support Worker / Liaison Officer will lead on the organisation’s GRT work in The Royal Borough of Kingston; a project that has been ongoing for the past few years, advising the Gypsy, Roma and Traveller community and working with the Borough Council to create partnerships.

As the Community Support Worker / Liaison Officer you will provide practical advice, guidance, information and support to the GRT adults to help them secure accommodation including access to relevant benefits and financial support.

HOW TO APPLY

If this job looks like your ideal position, then please send in your CV and Covering Statement outlining how your skills and experience meet the criteria of this role and what else you would bring to this position that makes you stand out.

DUTIES

Your duties as the Community Support Worker / Liaison Officer include:

• Advise on managing finances and benefit claims

• Advise on appropriate accommodation, home or tenancy

• Signpost to appropriate health/treatment services including immunisation programmes

• Signpost individuals to gain access to other services, as required

• Support individuals to use digital and online services

• Liaise with Local Authorities, Health Authorities and other agencies regarding client’s needs, focussed on contractual project outcomes

• Ensure GRT communities have opportunities to shape service provision and to voice their views and concerns

• Work with educational settings to support GRT community needs and opportunities

• Advocate for the GRT community

• Create effective partnerships

CANDIDATE REQUIREMENTS

Essential

• Experience giving advice, guidance and signposting

• Experience of working to agreed targets and deadlines

• Good IT skills, especially Excel and Word in addition to other applications and databases

• Ability to plan, balance and manage multiple priorities

• Access to transport for regular travel within Surrey and Kingston Borough (mileage can be claimed)

• Ability to take initiative and responsibility for your work

• Strong organisational skills

• Empathy with clients, local authorities and colleagues

Desirable

• Experience of working with GRT communities, and knowledge of the challenges

• Knowledge of housing, health and benefit systems and processes

• Experience of working or volunteering in a not-for-profit organisation

• Ability to function with a degree of independence

• Lone Working experience

• Report writing for varied audiences

• Experience of dealing with conflict

• Strong understanding of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

BENEFITS:

• Flexible working
• 5% employers pension contribution
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Paid volunteering leave
• Free on-site parking
• 25 days holiday with an additional three days between Christmas and New Year, as well as all English Bank Holidays

The post is subject to a satisfactory DBS check

HOW TO APPLY

You’ll need to apply with a CV and Covering Statement outlining how your skills and experience meet the criteria of this role and what else you would bring to this position that makes you stand out. By submitting your job application to us you are hereby giving us your express consent to submit your details to our Client for this purpose.

JOB REF: AWDO-C12059

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