Trainee Support Practitioner – Recovery Services

at  YMCA Liverpool

RELATIONSHIPS

The post holder will be required to have contact with a variety of people during the course of their work. The context of this contact will vary from formal ‘Key working’ to informal networking and relationship building with the Local Authority and other relevant agencies.
Annual appraisal and regular work review with line managers is an operational requirement, as is attendance at weekly support team meetings.
It is recognised that the association is operating in a dynamic environment and as such this job description may be varied in consultation with the post holder to reflect evolving needs of the business and changing nature of the job

JOB PURPOSE

This is a Trainee role for applicants who are new to the field and would like to commit to a program of training and development alongside practical working experience. Support caseloads will be allocated as appropriate and as the Trainee gains experience, with a view to eventually progressing within the organisation to a Relational Recovery Practitioner Role as part of their development plan.
We are particularly interested in candidates with Lived experience and/or anyone interested in gaining qualifications within the Recovery area of YMCA Together (Rise Prehab and Rehab).
To assist in the provision of effective, high quality support services to vulnerable, single homeless individuals who have complex needs such as offending behaviour, substance misuse problems, mental health issues and who are vulnerable to rough sleeping with the aim of promoting independent living.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The specific areas of responsibility are set out below. These are subject to regular review in order to meet the changing needs of the organisation and the environment in which it operates. These duties will be carried out with the support of the wider team and Relational Recovery Practitioner.

• Support Planning and risk assessing
• Conduct Mainstay assessments with homeless individuals presenting at the service
• Carry out new resident welcomes, inducting residents into the service including registering with doctors’ etc
• Ensure that residents have a full understanding of their rights and responsibilities during their stay at the YMCA
• Support residents to achieve their goals and targets as defined/ agreed within their support plans and support contracts
• Manage, update and communicate resident risk assessments in line with YMCA Together policy and procedure
• Ensure residents shape their own support and take part in activities
• Hold planned key-work sessions each week with residents using a person-centred flexible approach
• Offer a creative but assertive approach in order to seek to re engage rather than taking the route of punitive action that may lead to disengagement and eviction, and the ability to manage specific incidents of violence or aggressive behaviour with the use of short-term exclusions
• Assess support needs via RECAP assessments, ITEP mapping and plan support around individual need. Regularly review and develop mutually agreed support plans with residents and any other professional involved in the support of those individuals e.g. Social Workers, CPNs, Probation Officers
• Hold 3-way meetings and coordinating the support of residents with other professionals
• Up to date records must be kept on both Mainstay, Dave and in resident’s files
• Conduct monthly/quarterly risk assessments of residents keeping all relevant parties informed of updates/changes
• Conduct regular room checks and support residents in the management of their room and relationships with others and to report any health and safety issues to the Team Leader
• Participate in the planning and delivery of group work and activities e.g. Independent Living Skills. Support claims on behalf of residents for housing and other welfare benefits
• Provide information and advice to members in accordance with their support plans
• Motivate and challenge residents during their prehab engagement
• Assist with securing move-on to appropriate accommodation including treatment services
• Liaise between members and external agencies regarding the provision of specialised support when appropriate
• Encourage involvement and participation among residents in the running and shaping of the service provided by planning and attending regular prehab workshops
• Deal promptly with all complaints and protection from abuse disclosures
• Provide clear, accurate and good quality information in respect of all residents in line with agreed procedures ensuring that appropriate information is shared with the Team Leader
• Demonstrate creativity in overcoming obstacles and a commitment to working with and providing support to vulnerable people.