Location: Clare
Contract: Full-time, 1 Year-Fixed Term
The purpose of this role is to work as part of the Focus Ireland Housing First Service to deliver a ‘Housing First’ approach to individuals experiencing homelessness across Clare. The aim of the programme is to develop and improve wrap around health supports in ‘Housing First’ tenancies and address the complex health needs of the ‘housing first’ participants in the areas of General & Mental Health and Addiction.

What you will do:
Work within the framework of the overall objectives of the Housing First Service.
Work within the overall policies and procedures of the Housing First Service.
Provide a safe, welcoming environment for customers that are out of home/or at risk, including the provision of basic physical care and support within the service, respecting consumer choice and self-determination.
Establish trusting relationships especially with customers who are living on the streets or in temporary accommodation and who are unattached or out-of-home and engage them in work that enables them to move to a more stable lifestyle.
Undertake assessments and support planning with customers as the lead agent using the Care and Case management model, when and where appropriate.
Work a flexible rota as agreed with the Housing First Health Co-ordinator.
Accompany and provide support to customers on appointments to other services i.e. doctors, counsellors, etc.
Work as part of a multi-disciplinary team and service.
Provide Advice, Information and Guidance as a prevention or in response to being out of home.
Assist customers to integrate their lives within their local community, providing support in accessing clinical, medical and other support services.
Support customers in developing life skills, seeking out education, training and employment opportunities if and where they so wish.
Maintain an appropriate customer caseload as directed by your line Manager.
Accompany and provide support to customers with appointments to other services, where appropriate.
Be responsible for keeping up to date casework records, daily logs and written assessments. Inputting information on the Focus Ireland database and PASS.
Work in close liaison and co-operation with other teams within Focus Ireland particularly the Youth Housing Tenancy Support Workers, and other Statutory and Voluntary Agencies as deemed appropriate.
Work to the service model and standards of best practice.
Attend Team, Section, Divisional, Agency and external meetings, including handovers, and training as required.
Supervise students or volunteers as requested by assigned supervisor or Housing First Health Co-ordinator.
Implement existing policies and procedures and to input into the development of new ones.
Plan, implement and evaluate the daily activities.
Engage in supervision sessions on a regular basis with the Housing First Health Co-ordinator.
Participate in relevant training and development courses as agreed with your Housing First Health Co-Ordinator.
Undertake such other duties as might be reasonably assigned from time to time in consultation with the Housing First Health Co-Ordinator.
Be vigilant to any Health, Safety and Welfare risks in the workplace and bring any concerns to the attention of your line manager or Health & Safety Representative.
Ensure Housing First customers receive appropriate and on-going health care in terms of their co-occurring general & mental health and substance use.
Offer tailored one-to-one support in the areas of mental health and addiction.
Facilitate groups to provide support to customers, appropriate to their needs and strengths and identified by need including development of peer support groups and service users groups.
Ensure that customers are consulted with and involved in the operation of the project to the greatest practical extent.
Facilitate customers to access local health services and to liaise with key health professionals e.g. Public Health Nurses.
Monitor and report on implementation progress as requested.

What you need:
A recognised third level qualification in social care (minimum Level 8), mental health nursing, psychology, addiction studies or a related field.
Two years’ experience of working with single homeless people, substance users, people experiencing poor general and/or mental health and/or other socially marginalised groups.
Experience of working with customers at risk.
Experience of team working.
Report writing abilities.
Experience of working and liaising with other agencies, including both voluntary & statutory.
Full Driver’s License with access to a car.
Excellent communication, interpersonal and report writing skills.
Knowledge and understanding of Housing First and issues affecting people with complex general & mental health and addiction needs.
Ability to plan and implement programmes.

Focus Ireland is an equal opportunities employer