Independent Living Mentor

Job Purpose: JOB PURPOSE This key role will be to support The Brick and individuals we support in our accommodation. You will be part of a team supporting individuals in emergency and supported accommodation. Your role will be to support the individuals with their immediate needs and to secure a move on to appropriate medium- and long-term stable accommodation. Please note that this is a lone working post in a small provision with 5 residents aged 18+. DUTIES WILL INCLUDE: • To support people in a positive way by focusing on their personal development. The aim is to equip people with the skills and confidence to progress into independent living. • To work as part of a team, internally and externally with Wigan Council in order to achieve the best interests for each individual, liaising with other professional agencies. • To identify future housing options and co-produce a support plan to achieve this. • To ensure that individuals understand financial management and developing budgeting skills in preparation for independent living. • To ensure that individuals are safe, inspired and engaged to reach any goals they have set for themselves. • To understand that individuals may have experienced tough life experiences and trauma, and as a result may require a greater level of understanding, thoughtfulness and empathy • To work with people to identify their abilities. Promote and encourage the attendance of internal and external groups and training where appropriate. • Ensure that privacy and dignity is always maintained. • Develop knowledge of local community resources • Develop and maintain effective working relationships with other agencies including, but not limited to, housing agencies, social services, mental health team, tenancy support services and alcohol and drug services. • Provide information requested by internal and external stakeholders accurately and on time. • Attend promotions, external meetings and case conferences about the service. • Liaise with other service providers, both statutory and non-statutory, to ensure that individuals can access and use all appropriate services to meet their needs. • Hold weekly support sessions, and complete admin tasks as appropriate. • Raising and following up on safeguarding alerts. QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS Suitable candidate should have: • Ability to network, build enabling relationships and work effectively in a multi-agency context across the Wigan Borough. • Understand complex needs and how support can be facilitated to those most vulnerable. • An ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing (English) and to collate and evidence work/ outcomes using case management databases. • A can-do attitude and willingness to undertake a varied workload. • A resilient nature and the ability to handle challenging behaviour. • Ability to show empathy with individuals while maintaining professional boundaries. • An understanding of the needs and challenges of those experiencing homelessness, including those who have support needs including drug, alcohol and mental health needs. • An awareness of key public health messages relating to contagious and spreadable disease • Experience of working with and supporting volunteers and staff with lived experience.