Lived Experience Specialist Project Worker

This role uses experiential insight to inform peer support, service design and engagement. We will assess how candidates apply that insight professionally (boundaries, safeguarding, confidentiality). This role is open to applicants with demonstrable, recent lived experience of homelessness (including rough sleeping, insecure or temporary accommodation).

About the role

The Passage has secured funding to deliver a 1-year pilot, exploring how the use of peer support can prevent further homelessness and increase social mobility, by giving people the support and confidence to get reintegrated into the community.

This pilot will involve the recruitment and training of 10 lived experience volunteers who will share their insights and provide support to people recently re-housed to set and achieve goals with a focus on community re-integration. The pilot will offer a range of interventions including 1:1 support, community events and online training.

The Passage recognizes that someone s journey of homelessness doesn t just end when accommodation is secured. What is often a confidence-stripping and traumatizing experience can take time to recover from. The first steps can be the most challenging for individuals to put down new roots and get back to where they were before that period.

As The Lived Experience Specialist Project Worker, you will support your manager in the design, delivery, monitoring and reporting of the pilot; with a particular focus on supporting the volunteers in their roles.

The Passage believes that peer support and the sharing of lived experience are essential tools in supporting people to take steps toward becoming more active, involved and connected. We also know that delivering peer support and helping others are also crucial cornerstones in processing living experience into lived experience.

Main duties

• To support the recruitment and retention of lived-experience volunteers.
• Have oversight of the day-to-day delivery of volunteers work by providing guidance & direction and ensuring volunteer support is delivered in a safe and supportive manner.
• Support the creation of a volunteering environment where having lived experience is not a barrier but a tool to help others.
• To support the manager to create and maintain procedures which underpin the pilot and volunteers activities, ensuring they are fit for purpose.
• Meeting potential referrals, explaining the scope of the service, and undertaking person centered role matching.
• Identify challenges including safeguarding issues encountered by volunteers
• and working with the manager to address them.
• Ensuring accurate and efficient recording of actions undertaken by volunteers.
• Maintain a directory of low-cost activities, promote local events, and support development of an online resource to boost social connection and reintegration.
• To support the Lived Experience Project manager in reporting to key stakeholders about the project, including attendance at some external meetings.

Key responsibilities

• In conjunction with your Line Manager to continuously develop the role to ensure that all tasks are being undertaken in an effective and appropriate manner which meets the strategic aims and objectives of The Passage.
• To participate in internal/external meetings as required, and attend training events, conferences and other functions as necessary.
• To participate in regular supervision and annual appraisal and help in identifying your own job-related development and training needs.
• To adhere to all Passage policies and procedures.
• To contribute to the effective implementation of The Passage s Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Policy as it affects both The Passage and its work with vulnerable adults.
• To at all times undertake your role in a professional manner maintaining a high- quality standard of work, and to always work in accordance with the aims, values and ethos of The Passage1.
• Undertake any other duties that may be required which are commensurate with the role.

Person specification

As a Vincentian organisation, The Passage strives to be inclusive; encompassing a diverse and rich culture from within our members, clients, volunteers and staff. This approach is reflected in our core values and it is important that all staff have respect for this.

The person specification sets out the essential abilities and qualities that will be used in the selection criteria for this post. When completing your application form, please address criteria E1 to E4 and K1 to K5 demonstrating your experience and knowledge, giving evidence of your experience and abilities.

Any information you provide will be handled confidentially and in line with UK GDPR and our Recruitment Privacy Notice.

EXPERIENCE

E1 - Demonstrable, recent lived experience of homelessness (including rough sleeping, insecure or temporary accommodation)

E2 - Volunteering in a peer support capacity and/or working with vulnerable people in a support role.

E3 - Experience of working both collaboratively as part of a team, and able to work independently.

KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS

K1 - Skilled communicator with strong emotional intelligence and an ability to connect with & motivate vulnerable people.

K2 - Understanding of the challenges faced by people experiencing homelessness and rough sleeping.

K3 - Proficient in digital literacy, for example use of digital applications and online navigation.

K4 - Familiarity with safeguarding and personal boundaries principles (desirable).

K5 - An understanding of data protection principles (desirable).