JOB OVERVIEW:

We are seeking a dedicated and passionate Empowerment Worker to join our team in Portsmouth. Our mission at Hope into Action is to enable the local church to house the homeless.
The role is based in our Portsmouth Office working in partnership with local churches to support and empower tenants in our homes in Portsmouth and the surrounding area. Our homes comprise of single male or female tenants or families, all of whom have experienced homelessness, and your role will be ensuring that all tenants have up to date personal development plans, risk assessments and ongoing support.
Each home is partnered with a local church, who provide love and friendship for the tenants that you will also support. This will involve you actively engaging with the church and maintaining church interest in the Hope into Action project. The role includes training, equipping, and encouraging church volunteers in their role as mentors and befrienders to the tenants.
You will need a flexible approach to working outside of the normal 9-5 to be able to engage with tenants that work and the volunteers. You will be required to occasionally speak in Sunday services and get involved in occasional weekend and evening events.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Desirable - Relevant degree or NVQ

EXPERIENCE:

Essential - Experience working with adults in a vulnerable position. * Knowledge and understanding of safeguarding issues * Experience of assessing and managing risk. This post requires an Enhanced DBS check with barred lists
Desirable - Experience working with the homeless and/or vulnerable - Experience and/or knowledge of working with other similar support and housing agencies

ESSENTIAL

• Ability to listen actively, empathise and act accordingly without judgement or prejudice
• Ability to sustain, develop and evaluate individually tailored support programmes
• Keen to network and build relationships both in Secular and Christian contexts
• Ability to lead and partake in prayer/thanksgiving/worship events and demonstrate sympathy with the Christian faith
• Passionate about the mission and values of Hope into Action
• Great verbal communicator e.g. presenting well at church, being an advocate for tenants
• Proficient at Microsoft Office, Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint
• Ability to work under pressure and consistently deliver a high quality of service - Able to work with the team, but also able to work alone, take initiative and manage & prioritise a diverse workload - Quick learner, well organised and able to adapt quickly to changing situations - Flexible approach to working with a variety of individuals - Ability to sustain, develop and evaluate practises and personal style - A driving licence and use of car or ready access to public transport
  Desirable - Experience and/or knowledge of supporting other tenant groups with which you would be working e.g. refugees, ex-offenders, families, asylum seekers etc. - Confident approaching Church leaders with ability to motivate, inspire and build a team of church volunteers
  Hours of work: - 16 hours initially with the option to increase in the future. Ideally hours will be spread through the week to give some flexibility in when you are available to respond to tenant support needs. Occasional evening and weekend work may be required. This includes being part of the rota to answer the ’out of hours’ phone.
  Salary: - £27,178 (pro-rata)
  Probationary Period: - 6 month probation period
  Annual Leave: - 25 days plus Bank Holidays and working days between Christmas to New Year, all on a pro-rata basis.
  Other Benefits: - Hope into action will contribute 8% of qualifying salary to a Pension Plan - Support for continuing professional development as appropriate
  Please note that applications will ONLY be accepted using the Hope into Action Portsmouth application form returned to Portsmouth.Info@hopeintoaction.org.uk CV and covering letters will NOT be accepted.
  For an application form, detailed job description or any other information regarding this post please contact Michelle Treacher via Portsmouth.Info@hopeintoaction.org.uk for