Senior Caseworker - Multiple Disadvantage Lead

Team: Casework

Location: Argon House, 2 Argon Mews, London SW6 1BJ, at our partner sites and from home

Duration: Permanent

Reporting to: Head of Casework

Responsible for: Caseworkers based across our partner Day Centres plussome budget allocation for MD casework expenses

Hours of work: 40 (5 days per week including lunch break)

Occupational Requirement

Due to the nature of this role, which includes leading and providing direct support within our Women's Night Shelter, this post is open to women only under the occupational requirement provisions of Schedule 9, Part 1 of the Equality Act 2010.

The post holder will work closely with vulnerable women who have experienced multiple disadvantages, including domestic abuse, sexual exploitation and gender-based violence. We consider that being a woman is a proportionate occupational requirement for this role in order to maintain the safety, dignity and wellbeing of the women using the service and to deliver effective trauma-informed support.

Please not the successful candidate will also work alongside colleagues and provide support to guests, of all genders, as part of their wider duties.

Overview of the role

The Senior Caseworker - MD Lead plays a dual role in delivering high-quality casework services while providing specialist support and guidance to colleagues working with guests experiencing multiple disadvantages. The role provides advice, advocacy and casework support to a caseload of guests across our homelessness and vulnerable housing services, with a particular focus on those presenting with long-term, complex and multiple needs. The postholder will share their knowledge, skills and experience to support colleagues, strengthen their understanding of complex needs, and develop their confidence and ability to work effectively with guests. The role will also contribute to a collaborative, multi-disciplinary approach, ensuring guests receive coordinated, person-centred support.

Internal relationships

All staff, volunteers and guests

External relationships

External service providers and partner organisations

Areas of responsibility

1. Advice and advocacy

• Providing an advice and advocacy service to a caseload of guests from across all our services for the homeless and vulnerably housed who present with long-term and complex needs, caseworking a smaller and more consistent caseload than other members of the team but working with them more intensively.
• Employing creative thinking and practices to ensure that guests are supported and motivated to achieve their goals, primarily to access and maintain accommodation and develop durable support networks.
• Attending appointments with guests as needed and carrying out home visits.
• Working with Caseworker colleagues to strengthen their understanding of complex needs, developing their confidence and ability to work effectively with guests.
• Creating best practise guidelines to ensure consistency and accessible support.
• Working with colleagues to ensure acceptable workloads are maintained.
• Providing advice, advocacy and support to Emergency Night Shelter Guests; visiting Emergency Night Shelters in the evening as required.
• 1. Internal liaison
• Building and maintaining working relationships with Caseworker colleagues.
• Liaising with the Fundraising & Comms team to develop meaningful case studies to assist with fundraising campaigns.
• Working with the Operations team to ensure the Emergency Night Shelters are successful and building relationships with Night Shelter staff to encourage communication and team building.
  1. External liaison
• Referring guests to accommodation providers, health services and other relevant support services, as necessary, and actively facilitating their ongoing engagement with these.
• Maintaining good communication with the Managers of our partnered Drop-in Centres, Glass Door colleagues and local statutory and non-statutory services.
• Attending meetings with the casework team, external service providers and partner organisations when required, engagement with Reflective Practice sessions.
• Liaising with volunteers at both Night Shelters and