The Role

An exciting opportunity has arisen for two Rough Sleeper Tenancy Sustainment Support Workers (RSTSSW) on behalf of the London Borough of Richmond and Wandsworth Borough Council. The service will be specialised to focus on the individual support needs of rough sleepers in the borough, which enables a holistic approach. 

We are seeking applicants who are passionate about providing the best level of service to vulnerable rough sleepers to join our busy, friendly, collaborative and specialised services. The RSTSSW will assist service users to attain the skills required to successfully maintain a tenancy and to live independently in the community. We are looking for someone who is motivated and naturally caring in nature and who has an interest in supporting rough sleepers. 

The successful candidate will join a service of colleagues who have diverse skill sets, experience and can provide a great resource of knowledge and can help imbed the Richmond and Wandsworth ways of working. Due to COV19 guidance we are currently working remotely where possible. The requirement is for one RSTSSW to be based in Richmond and the other in Wandsworth.

The successful candidate will ideally have:

• Experience of supporting rough sleepers, but this is not essential.
• Excellent communication and organisational skills will go a long way in this role ensuring that you provide the best level of support. 
• Ability to work with challenging clients with a range of complex needs while displaying patience, empathy and understanding
• Knowledge of the welfare benefit system

You will be required too:

• Meet the needs of each individual depending on their personal circumstances while maintaining a caseload of service users who have a history of rough sleeping. 
• To carry out an assessment of need with each new client referred to establish and develop an appropriate plan of support.
• To provide in-depth advice and information to service users on topics such as welfare benefits, education, employment and accessing other services.
• Help, support and assist the service user with all of the practical aspects of moving and setting up a new home.
• Lone working as well as part of a team is also required.

In return, we can offer you working arrangements that will enhance your work-life balance.  These include Compressed hours, home working (dependent on service need), annualised hours, and a generous holiday allowance of 31 days plus bank holidays. In addition, we offer a range of staff benefits such as membership of the Local Government contributory pension scheme, childcare vouchers, new technology scheme, interest-free loans on annual travel cards, discounts at many leisure activities, restaurants, shops and other establishments. A wide range of developmental opportunities is also offered.

For an informal discussion please contact – Louise Brice Resettlement and Homeless Prevention Team Manager by: Louise.Brice@richmondandwandsworth.gov.uk

• Closing date:  30^th October 2020
• Shortlisting:  Week Commencing 2^nd November 2020
• Interview date: Week Commencing 9^th November 2020

The closing date is given as a guide. We reserve the right to close this vacancy once enough applications has been received. Therefore, it is strongly advised that you complete and return your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

Equality Statement:

Richmond and Wandsworth Councils are committed to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone. We are committed to promoting equality and diversity and developing a culture that values differences, recognising that employees from a variety of backgrounds bring important and positive contributions to the Councils and can improve the way we deliver services. 

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

Important Information:

This post is exempted under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and as such appointment to this post will be conditional upon the receipt of a satisfactory response to a check of police records via Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). The Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) helps employers make safer recruitment decisions and prevent unsuitable people from working with vulnerable groups, including children. It replaces the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) and Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA).

Richmond and Wandsworth Councils