Rough Sleeper Navigator

Fusion People are actively recruiting for a Rough Sleeper Navigator to work for the Teignbridge District Council.

Rough Sleeper Navigator will be required to support the outreach team in conducting weekly outreach visits to those who have been reported as rough sleeping in the Teignbridge area. This will involve engaging with those who have complex needs. The Navigator will also work with rough sleepers who are in accommodation and require support and advice on their longer term options. This will include making appropriate referrals and working with partner agencies.

About the Role:

• To play a crucial role in the resettlement of rough sleepers, providing a comprehensive service to a caseload of clients who are currently sleeping rough or who have a recent history of rough sleeping in Teignbridge. Building trust and providing person centred advocacy and support which enables clients to navigate pathways and progress towards a life away from the streets.
• To actively contribute towards the goal of reducing rough sleeping within Teignbridge.
• To actively contribute to the achievement of the council's strategic objectives and government targets and implement the council's Homelessness Strategy.

Key duties and responsibilities:

• Undertake assertive street outreach sessions and hot spot visits, including during unsocial hours, to engage with people sleeping rough from their first point of contact and encourage long-term change.
• Carry out a strength-based assessment with each rough sleeping client and plan and enact support actions/interventions, which will assist clients to achieve their goals and move towards a sustainable life away from the streets.
• Support close partnership working with the housing, health and wellbeing services, police, emergency accommodation providers and wider partner agencies to maximise positive outcomes for clients.
• Give clients choices and information and provide an enabling service so that they can access appropriate services, minimise harm and overcome barriers to engagement.
• Encourage and assist clients to establish positive social networks and undertake meaningful activities to assist and promote social inclusion.
• Support clients to engage with their recovery, develop life and social skills, claim benefits, and access appropriate accommodation and avoid a return to the streets.
• Use creative approaches including personal budgets to support clients.
• To recognise indications of substance misuse, mental health needs, domestic abuse, personality disorders and behavioural issues and make appropriate referrals to relevant agencies.
• To promote and facilitate effective multi-agency and joint working to address begging, street drinking and other street-based activity.
• To understand and apply practical solutions to overcome barriers to housing such as benefit entitlement, substance misuse, mental and physical health.
• Have a flexible attitude to the work and be solution focused on their approach.

Benefits and package for the position:

• PAYE: £15.98 per hour - LTD: £20.11 per hour
• Initial 2 month contract, 9am-5pm working hours

Essential Criteria for the role:

• A good standard of general education including a demonstrably good level of numeracy and literacy.
• Experience of working in partnership with a range of statutory and voluntary agencies.
• Ability to drive with possession of a full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle.
• Able to remain and patient, regardless of the situation and communicate with people at all levels in a polite, clear, and friendly manner.
• Resilience to work flexibly and creatively with individuals who may have seemingly intractable problems.
• Demonstrates the skills to write a clear, concise, sensitive, and objective support plan that recognises the ultimate aims and breaks those aims into achievable goals.
• Good IT skills and the ability to keep accurate records using client data bases, Microsoft Word, Excel, and email.

Desirable criteria:

A formal qualification relating to housing, health, or social care.

Experience of working with homeless people and an understanding of the needs of rough sleepers and the effects of trauma on individuals with complex lives.

Experience of undertaking client assessments and support plans.

An understanding of current homelessness legislation including Priority Need definitions and statutory obligations.

An understanding of issues faced by homeless people such as substance misuse, poor mental health, offending and domestic abuse.

A knowledge around the eligibility rights of foreign nationals in terms of Local Authority assistance, recourse to public funds and travel rights.

An understanding of the benefits system with a view to maximising service user income and covering accommodation costs.

Please contact Sam Day from the Bristol Fusion People for more details

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