FWH Case Worker

Job Description and Person Specification for Faithworks Homelessness (FWH) Case Worker

Hours: 18 hours per week (Monday to Wednesday working). Permanent Contract.

Salary: £14.28-14.60/hour (£27,475-£28,090 pa pro rata), plus pension & benefits

Location: Bournemouth, with some travel across BCP

Reports to: FWH Team leader

Why This Role Matters

At Faithworks, we believe that nobody should face hardship alone. And within FWH, our specific approach builds on that and is shown in the strapline: Changing homelessness together, one life at a time.

Our homelessness work exists to help people get off the street, stay off the street, and rebuild lives filled with hope, purpose and community. Through our Half-Time service, practical support, casework, Thursday Club, SafeSleep provision and partnerships with local churches and agencies, we walk alongside people experiencing homelessness and help them move towards a more stable future. We want to see them flourish in mind, body and spirit, so our welcome and care for our "guests" is key.

Alongside helping people move away from rough sleeping, we are increasingly focused on preventing repeat homelessness through community integration, friendship and support networks, and long-term relational support.

What's the focus of the Job

The FWH Case Worker plays a key role in delivering Faithworks' Half-Time service and associated homelessness support activities.

They will work directly with guests, providing triage, assessments, team talks, casework and ongoing support. They will help people navigate housing, benefits, health services and other support systems whilst ensuring that each guest is treated with dignity, compassion and respect.

The role involves building trusting relationships, developing realistic action plans, maintaining accurate records, working closely with partner organisations and contributing to a welcoming, trauma-informed environment where people can begin to move away from homelessness.

Our two key aims are:

To listen, assess, prioritize, plan, and pray (if appropriate), offering a viable and realistic choice for our guests to help people get off the street and into safer, more stable accommodation.

To help people stay off the street by building confidence, resilience, positive relationships and hope for the future.

The case worker will relate brilliantly to not only our "guests", staff and volunteers but also to partners from both churches and statutory partners. And they will also be someone who is "always ready to give a reason for the hope that is within them".

FAITHW Key Responsibilities 1. Guest Engagement & Assessment

• Act as an initial point of contact for people experiencing or at risk of homelessness.
• Respond to enquiries received through the Faithworks homelessness helpline and other referral routes.
• Carry out triage conversations and initial assessments to understand needs, risks and priorities.
• Arrange and deliver appointments with guests at Half-Time and other agreed locations.
• Build positive and trusting relationships with guests from a wide range of backgrounds.
• Identify safeguarding concerns and elevate appropriately.

2. Team Talks & Casework

• Deliver Team Talk appointments with guests, helping them tell their story, identify priorities and develop realistic next steps.
• Use Life Scores and other assessment tools to understand needs, make risk assessments, and measure progress.
• Develop and deliver person-centred support plans.
• Support guests to access accommodation, benefits, healthcare, recovery services, training, employment and wider community opportunities.
• Provide ongoing casework support for guests requiring a longer-term response.
• Work alongside colleagues to assign SafeSleep emergency accommodation provision where appropriate.
• Support guests to access and engage with partner services and appointments.

3. Half-Time Service Delivery

• Play a full role in delivering the Half-Time service and maintaining a welcoming environment.
• Participate in team briefings, debriefings & prayer times, leading where necessary.
• Work alongside the Welcome team to ensure guests can access practical support such as showers, laundry and phone charging.
• Support effective delivery across different Faithworks homelessness venues and contact points.
• Provide cover for colleagues where required.

4. Partnership Working

• Build and maintain positive relationships with partner organisations.
• Liaise effectively with organisations such as BCP Council, St Mungo's and other specialist agencies.
• Respond promptly and professionally to referrals.
• Support guests to attend assessments, appointments and meetings with partner agencies.
• Contribute to partnership working that improves outcomes for guests.

5. Volunteers & Community Support

• Work positively alongside volunteers involved in homelessness services.
• Assist with the induction and support of volunteers where appropriate.
• Encourage volunteers to contribute safely and effectively to guest wellbeing and support.
• Help develop a culture of welcome, hospitality and encouragement across the service.

6. Monitoring, Compliance & Safeguarding

• Maintain accurate and timely records on Charitylog and other systems.
• Ensure all case notes, assessments and support plans are up to date.
• Maintain confidentiality and comply with GDPR requirements.
• Follow safeguarding procedures and participate in safeguarding training.
• Ensure all work is carried out in line with Faithworks policies and procedures.
• Contribute to monitoring outcomes and evaluating the impact of the service. ,

7. Service Development

• Contribute ideas that improve service delivery and guest outcomes.
• Support the development of new initiatives, outreach opportunities and partnership projects.
• Help ensure that feedback from guests and people with lived experience influences service development.
• Participate fully in team meetings, training and service reviews. ,

Person Specification

We look for people who fit our culture and values as well as bringing the skills and experience needed for the role. The balance of character, chemistry and competence is important to us.

Essential Experience

• Experience supporting vulnerable adults or people with complex needs.
• Experience working in a helping, support, housing, community or similar environment.
• Experience building positive relationships with people facing challenging circumstances.
• Experience carrying out assessments, support planning or case management.
• Experience maintaining accurate records and managing sensitive information.
• Experience working as part of a team.

Desirable Experience

• Experience working within homelessness services.
• Experience working with people affected by addiction, poor mental health or social exclusion.
• Experience working with volunteers.
• Experience liaising with statutory and voluntary-sector organisations.
• Knowledge of local homelessness and support services.
• Experience of trauma-informed approaches.

Skills & Knowledge

• Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills.
• Excellent listening and communication skills.
• Ability to engage positively with people who may be in crisis or distress.
• Understanding of homelessness and the challenges faced by people experiencing homelessness.
• Ability to assess needs, identify risks and prioritise effectively.
• Good organisational and administrative skills.
• Competent IT skills including Microsoft Office and case management systems.
• Ability to work independently whilst remaining part of a wider team.
• Ability to maintain accurate records and monitor progress. ,

Personal Attributes

• Happy to work in line with Faithworks' Christian values and ethos.
• Compassionate, approachable and relational.
• Passionate about supporting people facing homelessness and hardship.
• Positive and resilient under pressure.
• Proactive and solution-focused.
• Strong personal integrity and professional judgement.
• Committed to safeguarding and the wellbeing of vulnerable adults.
• Flexible and adaptable in responding to changing needs.
• Able to relate positively to guests, volunteers, churches, partners and colleagues alike.

Occupational Requirement

This post is subject to an occupational requirement that the holder be a Christian under Part 1 of Schedule 9 to the Equality Act 2010.

Please note that, as this role includes working with vulnerable adults, the successful applicant will be required to undertake an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.