Complex Case Officer

Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Councils are looking for a Complex Case Officer to join our Rough Sleeper team based in Ipswich. You will join us on a full time, fixed term or secondment opportunity for 12 months (37 hours per week). You will earn a competitive salary of £34,834 - £41,418 per annum (pro rata for part time)

About the Complex Case Officer role:

We are looking for a Complex Case Officer to join us in The Rough Sleeper Team. You will share our values, commitment and motivation to make a difference for our residents, clients, and communities.

The role will be based across the Babergh and Mid Suffolk districts where we have units specifically for former rough sleepers. 

Our residents have a range of complex support needs; including substance use, mental health and physical health. Our units provide a safe and stable home for residents to be able to address any unmet needs, consider their life goals, recover from homelessness and work towards moving into more independent living.

Responsibilities as our Complex Case Officer:

• Provide daily support through various channels including face-to-face meetings to residents with a range of needs, including substance use, mental and physical health. 
• Support residents to manage their daily living activities in areas such as finances, budgeting, developing life and work skills. 
• Ensure residents are supported to maintain housing benefit claims, pay rent and service charges, and maintain the condition of their property.
• Collaboratively create person-centred Support Plans with SMART goals with residents with the overall aim of working towards independent living. 
• Maintain detailed casework records across different recording platforms.
• Arrange and attend appointments with residents, including GP, Probation and Recovery appointments.
• Work closely with other services in the County to ensure a holistic support package is provided to residents, referring into services, arranging and attending MDTs as required.
• Ensure the project and support is provided in a trauma-informed way and that we are working in line with the aims of the Local Authority and the Rough Sleeper Strategy.
• Support a well-being strategy by promoting a healthy lifestyle and reconnecting with family and friends.

What we're looking for in our Complex Case Officer:

We are looking for an experienced individual who can engage with vulnerable individuals during difficult periods of their life. 

You will:

• Have a minimum of 1 years’ experience of working with people who experience homelessness and have complex needs, mental health illness, addictions or relevant experience that would be transferable.
• Hold a relevant qualification (desirable).
• Be able to evidence experience of working within a mental health, substance misuse or Social Care setting.
• Be able to evidence experience of trauma-informed working practices.
• Have the ability to navigate the social care and mental health pathways.
• Undertake internal case management and have proven experience of working in a multi-disciplinary environment.
• Be able to manage challenging behaviours and situations, under pressure in a fast-paced and busy environment.
• Be able to design support plans and needs assessments.
• Have excellent communication skills; verbal and written, as well as IT proficient.
• Demonstrate knowledge of benefits/services relevant to homeless people.
• A clean driving licence and access to a vehicle is essential for this position.

About us:

Working together across our Councils and with our partners in the public, private and voluntary sectors, we provide excellent services to our 190,000 residents across Babergh and Mid Suffolk.

We are proud of the role we play in creating the environment, economy, and communities for our districts. We believe that the heart of Suffolk is an incredibly special place to live and work. With picturesque market towns, 60 conservation areas and with two Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) within our districts, it is little wonder that we are consistently within the top 50 places to live in the UK.

Benefits you will receive as our Complex Case Officer:

• Great opportunities for learning and development.
• Generous leave entitlement (equivalent to 26 days a year, increasing to 31 days after 5 years’ service, plus bank holidays).
• Competitive Local Government Pension Scheme.
• Wellbeing Support Program
• Employee Assist Program
• Health Care Options

Closing date: 11.30pm, 3 March 2024.

Interview date: 8 March 2024.

If you think you have what it takes to be successful in this Complex Case Officer role, even if you don’t meet all the requirements, please apply. We would appreciate the opportunity to consider your application.

This authority is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. DBS checks or police vetting will be required for relevant posts.