Job Title: Project Worker
We are seeking passionate individuals to join our team as Project Workers across various locations in Galway.
About the Role:
The Project Worker will provide practical assistance and support to families and/or individuals during their engagement with our homeless services. They will work closely with clients to source and secure accommodation options, address health and care needs, and facilitate access to local services such as medical, welfare, training, education, and employment.
Duties and Responsibilities:
* Process referrals made to the service
* Conduct assessments in a professional, sensitive, and appropriate manner
* Work intensively with clients to source and secure accommodation, including supporting them to move on to long-term permanent housing
* Support clients to access local services, including medical, welfare, training, education, and employment
* Provide practical support and assistance to clients
* Assist clients with health, safety, and general welfare
* Engage with clients and facilitate access to a broad range of services aimed at integrating them into the community
* Work proactively to address difficult or problematic situations in a sensitive and direct manner within organizational policies and procedures
* Support clients to address interpersonal issues
* Work in partnership with clients to promote self-advocacy and advocate on their behalf when necessary
* Promote opportunities for clients to use their own strengths and expertise to address their homelessness
Service Operation and Development:
* E nsure the day-to-day operations of the project run smoothly and in accordance with policies and procedures and the values of COPE Galway
* Create a safe, welcoming, and friendly environment and maintain it
* Consult and involve clients in the operation of the service to the greatest practical extent
* Respond to difficult or problematic situations in a sensitive manner and within the framework of the organization's policies and procedures
* Be flexible in the delivery of the service and implement interventions to prevent the breakdown of clients' stays in their accommodation
* Work effectively both within the team and as a lone worker
* A dhere to all of COPE Galway's policies and procedures
* Work in line with NQSF (National Quality Standards Framework for Homeless Services)
* Maintain confidentiality in accordance with COPE Galway's Data Protection Policies and Procedures and agreed information sharing protocols
* Use database systems in place, including PASS (Pathway Accommodation & Support System)
* Maintain domestic, health, and hygiene standards in the building at the highest standards
* Work positively and effectively as a member of a team and the wider organization
* Attend and contribute to team meetings, supervision, and other meetings as required
* Communicate effectively and respectfully with colleagues and clients
* Maintain positive and mutually beneficial relationships with relevant external agencies
* Contribute to the fostering of positive relations with the local community and in particular with those living in the immediate neighborhood by responding to enquiries made to the project
* Be committed to and contribute to ongoing service development
* Continue to learn and develop professionally through participating in training and workshops
* Undertake specific roles within the service assigned/deployed to and/or organizationally as required (e.g. Health and Safety representative) and within the wider organization
* C arry out any other reasonable duties as requested
Person Specification and Core Competencies:
The ideal candidate will have:
* A minimum of two years' experience working with vulnerable communities
* A recognized third-level qualification (minimum level 8) in social care/related field or CORU registered social care worker
* A commitment to the Vision, Mission, and Values of COPE Galway
* An understanding of the nature of homelessness and the complex needs of homeless families
* Integrity and the ability to build trusting and respectful professional relationships
* An understanding of a broad range of issues including equity, inclusion, diversity, homelessness, mental health, addiction, trauma, children's needs, relationship and family breakdown, poverty, and social exclusion
* Good written and oral communication and I.T. skills
* A full clean driving license
* Strong Interpersonal and teamwork skills
* Strong advocacy skills
* A receptiveness to feedback from clients and colleagues
* The ability to contribute to the prevention and management of challenging behaviors and effective skills in dealing with challenging and pressurized situations
* Resilience and a positive outlook
* Leadership and problem-solving skills
* A practical common-sense approach
* The ability to understand, prevent, and respond appropriately to challenging behavior
* An openness to change