Central is currently recruiting for a Progression Coach, to work across seven West London boroughs. The service provides floating support to those who have slept rough or are sleeping rough to support them to sustain their tenancies and develop independent living skills.

The 7 boroughs covered include Brent, Ealing, Hammersmith & Fulham, Harrow, Hillingdon, Hounslow and Kensington & Chelsea.

The successful candidate will be required to work 37.5 hours per week, working across Monday - Friday, 9AM - 5PM. There is flexibility regarding the start/finish times and you'll be required to work outside of these hours on occasion. Temporary cover is required for approximately 2 - 3 months. The pay rate for this role is £14.17 per hour, with £1.71 holiday pay, totalling £15.88 per hour.

Please note; this role involves meeting with service users in the community and their homes across West London and working from the Head Office (Southwark). There is flexibility with working from home up to 2 days per week.

In this position, you will be expected to;

* Hold a caseload of 15 - 20 clients (low - medium need) and conduct regular key working sessions, providing one to one support to ensure goals are identified and met

* Complete comprehensive and ongoing risk and needs assessments

* Interview and assess the suitability of referrals to the criteria and objectives of the project and provide written feedback to unsuccessful applicants

* Ensure that residents ready to move on have an appropriate network of support and resources to aid their transition to independent living and are positively involved with their own development

* Where service users have moved in to accommodation, provide support through a programme of regular visits

* Help service users to apply for benefits, complete relevant application forms, learn budgeting skills and manage money, including support to prioritise and pay bills and rent

* Liaise and advocate with outside agencies, e.g. local authorities, benefits agencies, referral agencies and other statutory and voluntary bodies as appropriate

* Manage collection of service charge and petty cash on shift

* Deal with challenging behaviour in an appropriate and sensitive manner, keeping within the boundaries of policies and procedures and recording meetings and incidents appropriately

* Ensure a safe and secure environment and maintain high standards of health and safety within the project

Please note; this role involves lone working

To apply for this role candidates must have;

* Experience of working in a residential housing project for those experiencing homelessness

* Knowledge/understanding of the principle causes and effects of youth homelessness

* Experience working in a floating support environment

* Experience holding a caseload, conducting support plans, risk assessments and needs assessments

* Knowledge and experience of housing management and benefits system

* Knowledge of the support needs of young people and how they might be best met including what statutory and voluntary resources are available

* A clear understanding of safeguarding requirements and professional boundaries

* Ability to use IT to a level which will enable high quality reporting to be carried out, including Word, Excel, Outlook and Databases

* Ability to take initiative

Candidates should confirm their interest as soon as possible, with in person interviews scheduled shortly after and the appointed candidate expected to start as soon as possible.

Further requirements:

In order to register with Central Recruitment Services for temporary agency work, candidates must meet the following criteria:

* Current valid right to work in the UK

* Minimum 12 months' of paid experience in a front line social care role within the last 3 years* (unless recruitment criteria states otherwise)

* A fully enhanced DBS either registered on the DBS update service or issued within the last 12 months, or willingness to apply for one through Central (at a cost of £50)

* Employment or education history to cover the last 5 years which can be verified through the referencing process

How to apply:

If you feel that you fully meet the above outlined criteria for this role and would like apply for this post, please forward your CV for consideration.

*Please note the outlined experience is the 'minimum' first stage criteria, and we will therefore be unable to consider your application unless you are able to demonstrate a relevant work history in line with this position