Reconnect Worker

Reconnect Worker

This is an exciting opportunity to join a great organisation for the new development of our Reconnect services in Milton Keynes.

Position: Reconnect Worker

Location: Milton Keynes

Contract: Fixed term contract until 31st March 2025 – With a possible extension subject to funding.

Hours: Part-time, 18.75 hours per week

Salary: FTE £26,242 per annum (pro rata)

Closing Date: 23rd June 2024

Please note we reserve the right to close the vacancy once we have received sufficient applications, so we encourage you to apply as early as possible.

About the Role

The service aims to prevent young people experiencing homelessness where they are at risk of a breakdown in family or other significant relationships. Through offering a structured support package including family mediation, you will help young people to return, or stay in, the family home, and where not appropriate we will enable young people to rebuild support networks vital to successful independent living.

You will work collaboratively with all colleagues and services across the region, as well as with external agencies, to build and maintain a caseload of clients experiencing family difficulties and at risk of homelessness. You will work with clients facing a variety of situations, including young people who are experiencing a breakdown in their family relationships and are experiencing homelessness for the first time.

Here is a direct testimonial from one of our Reconnect workers:

“I have been a family worker for the Reconnect service for 5 years now and I absolutely love the role and find it very rewarding work. My work is varied and interesting, no two days ever look the same. I work remotely supporting young people and their families to improve their relationships to prevent youth homelessness. The families I work with come from different communities and backgrounds and each family has their own unique story and history.

I have come across many different presenting issues within families such as neurodiversity, substance misuse, mental & physical health issues, family conflict, differences in values and issues around identity.”

Key responsibilities include:

• Work directly with young people aged 11-25, and their families, who are experiencing family difficulties and at risk of homelessness, providing guidance, personalised family support and one-to-one and joint party mediation if appropriate.

• Carry a caseload of 15 – 20 clients per FTE for whom you will be the named keyworker.

• Process referrals from relevant agencies to build and maintain a full caseload of clients.

• Work in partnership with young people and their families to complete risk assessments, needs assessments and change plans and outcome questionnaires to work with them towards measurable outcomes.

• Build strong working relationships with all colleagues and services across the region, as well as other relevant agencies and local authority teams, to promote the service, build effective referral routes and processes and provide holistic support to young people.

• Maintain clear, accurate and up-to-date records of all aspects of your work, in line with monitoring and evaluation processes and standard operational procedures.

• Work closely with statutory bodies and other agencies to support any relevant safeguarding procedures, advocating on behalf of young people and parents/carers when necessary.

About You

You will need to have the following skills and experience:

• Significant experience working with young people and families in crisis; reflective, creative and solution-focused in your approach and committed to working in an assets-based way.
• To hold or complete a Level 4 Interpersonal Mediation Practitioner’s Certificate (IMPC). Training will be provided if the candidate doesn’t have the qualification, but training will have to be completed before the end of the probation period.
• Experience working independently and managing own caseload; self-motivated and able to prioritize tasks and carry out efficient organisation and administration.
• Experience carrying out risk and needs assessments and support planning for clients.

• Ability to develop strong, collaborative and productive relationships with colleagues and key external agencies, promoting the value of our work and its impact on families.

• High-level understanding of professional boundaries and ability to maintain impartiality.

About the Organisation

The employer delivers a wide range of support and housing services for young people and adults at risk of homelessness. We specialise in the provision of services that prevent homelessness, increase the resilience of those we work with and energise opportunities for employment, education, training and volunteering in the communities we work within. Our organisation reaches from Newcastle to London, Greater Manchester and Milton Keynes.

You may have experience in areas such as: Family Support Worker, Reconnect Worker, Support Worker, Social Care Worker, Mental Health Care Worker, Voluntary Worker, Mental Health Support Worker etc. #INDNFP

PLEASE NOTE: This role is being advertised by NFP People on behalf of the organisation.