Regional Support Caseworker

We have a vacancy in our team for a Regional Support Caseworker. This position will be based out of the Hawick café hub but will also require satellite working within the surrounding areas.

This is a full-time position based on 37.5 hours a week.

The successful candidate will need to be able to work flexibly within the geographical area to respond to the needs of clients based in the Scottish Borders and further afield.

Starting Salary £23,000

Who we are

FirstLight Trust works to provide a safe route back to independence for those who have left the Armed Forces and Emergency Services impaired by either physical or psychological injuries. For some the traumatic change they sustain leaves them desperately in need of many types of support. FirstLight delivers this by individual introduction to our services through regional community hubs. These hubs offer a safe space where individuals in need can get to know our members of staff and, as trust is developed, gradually obtain the more personalised, in-depth support that will help them to recover and empower them to live a life of purpose once more. FirstLight Trust’s values and staff code of conduct encompasses the ethos of the charity. It is therefore essential that a candidate shares the vision of these values.

FirstLight Trust developed its hub model based on veterans needs and their requests to create an accessible veteran-friendly hub on the high street. This is backed up by other contact points such as the web, telephone and a UK network of available support. We also collaborate with other charities and agencies.

Our hubs also support and provide activities for veterans to get involved in that help   enhance their everyday lives, provide the opportunity to learn new skills and help with integration back into the local community. These are varied with some activities being open to all our veteran clients and others arranged on a needs basis to provide everybody with the best opportunity to succeed.

What the role involves

• Supporting veterans of all ages and families of veterans of the Armed Forces and Emergency Services.
• Effectively handle referrals from a range of sources.
• To complete thorough client assessments, identifying their individual needs.
• To develop, co-ordinate and deliver achievable, targeted support plans with clients.
• To use SMART goal setting to help clients achieve their short- and long-term objectives.
• Sourcing and supporting clients through targeted linked activities that help them develop skills related to their support plan.
• To work closely with the activity co-ordinators within the charity to ensure that clients are engaging effectively with targeted activities.
• Completing case notes of all client interactions using the charity’s secure system.
• Work with other agencies to bolster a client’s support plan and provide access to specialist support when required.
• Regular check-ins with all clients on your caseload to evaluate the process and identify and respond to any new needs that arise during this.
• Assess when case closure is appropriate and promote a continued relationship with FirstLight Trust through our hubs and activities. This ensures clients always have access to a supportive community and feel comfortable returning to a support worker if they need further help.
• You will work with other services and create partnerships to ensure all agencies work for the benefit of veterans’ needs.
• You will play a key role in developing and maintaining multi agency relationships to ensure that our hubs become an integral part of the local veteran community.

Key responsibilities

Undertake regular 1-1 meetings with clients.

Identify and assess key client needs.

Outline a support plan to work towards achieving agreed goals.

Evaluate the support journey of a client and think reflectively about next steps.

Manage an active caseload, prioritising client needs.

Process and record enquiries that come into our hubs.

Record clear and concise case notes to maintain continuity.

Provide an accurate log of weekly interactions.

Write case studies to evaluate the work and support the charity in demonstrating use of grant funding.

Develop referral pathways and develop referral relationships with other organisations to ensure the continual growth of the charity’s client database.

Work alongside our clinical professionals and management team.

Work to a high level of understanding of professional boundaries when working with vulnerable adults with a range of complex needs.

You will be committed to following the FirstLight Trust values.

Share creative ideas and work within the team to develop, grow and improve the services provided by FirstLight Trust.

Undertake regular CPD, supported by FirstLight Trust, to develop your skill set.

The type of person we are looking for

You must have previous experience working within an organisation, as a support worker, and have an understanding of veterans’ needs.

Experience in managing an active caseload of clients.

Ability to communicate in writing and maintain accurate case notes.

Have knowledge of or a desire to learn about key areas of need within this client group – for example – Mental Health, Homelessness and Housing, Finance and money management, Drugs and Alcohol, Brain Injury, Social Isolation.

Experience using assessment and evaluation tools.

Be an active listener and demonstrate empathy in a non-judgmental manner.

You must be an excellent communicator who can quickly build effective relationships and is confident in having challenging conversations when needed.

Ability to respond to changing needs, being solutions focussed.

Understand safeguarding protocols and procedures.

Ability to motivate and encourage others.

Need to maintain confidentiality.

Experience of working in collaboration with other organisations.

Have the ability to develop strong networks and partnerships within the community.

Being able to drive is essential, as you will be working across the region.

Computer literature with experience of using a range of software.

Be reliable and punctual.

Have a demonstrable understanding of professional boundaries.

Benefits

30 days annual holiday rising to 33 days after two years.

Extra day off for your birthday.

Laptop and Mobile phone are provided. This is a hub-based position, with hours and satellite working to be negotiated with your line manager, to enable you to work as effectively as possible to meet client needs.

Access to a range of courses and e-learning to develop skills.

Access to Reward Gateway, granting you premium offers and discounts with well-known retailers.

Regular clinical supervision, pastoral support, and line management support.

Working in a positive team environment where every individual matters.

Autonomy to develop and build your own role and ideas.

To apply, please send your CV and covering letter to: opportunities@firstlighttrust.co.uk