Initial Contact and Engagement Team Leader (temporary)

Job description

About us
Crisis is the national charity for homeless people. We know that homelessness is not inevitable. We know that together we can end it.

Crisis Skylight Croydon is located in the heart of the borough on Surrey Street in Croydon, directly next to the market in the centre of Croydon. Our Skylight offers courses, 1-1 coaching around progression, work and learning, mental health and housing and provides practical support in the form of showers and laundry facilities to assist and support individuals who have become street homeless. In addition, we work closely with partner agencies including the homeless health team, job centre plus and drug and alcohol outreach teams.

About the role
As an Initial Contact and Engagement Team Leader, you will manage Crisis Skylight Croydon's exceptional Initial Contact and Engagement service providing a high quality, non-judgemental and safe service to individuals who approach Crisis Croydon including some of the most excluded, vulnerable people in the borough. The Initial Contact and Engagement Team is the first point of contact for a range of enquiries from people who are experiencing homelessness for the first time, individuals with complex and multiple needs, visitors, volunteers and supporters. You will be providing information about Crisis services, delivering a high-quality triage and assessment service and offering Information, Advice and Guidance (IAG) on local homelessness and other related services.

Crisis uses a case management approach and the successful candidate will be expected to attend case management meetings as well as reflective practice and full team meetings. You will also be expected to work collaboratively with external partners and Crisis Skylight Croydon's Progression and Learning Teams.

This is a 9 month fixed term contract until September 2022.

About you
To be successful in this role you will have:
- Experience of working with homeless or other vulnerable groups and understanding of the importance of respecting confidentiality, showing empathy and sensitivity, and working in a boundried way.
- Experience of working in a Psychologically Informed Environment and in a way that ensures that members with all levels of need can access the service
- Customer service experience with a commitment to delivering the highest standard of customer care
- Proven line management experience including managing employee performance, conducting supervisions, effective delegation and supporting professional development
- Strong interpersonal skills including effective written and verbal communication skills
- Good working knowledge of Word, Excel and Outlook

We believe diversity is a strength, and our aim is to make sure that Crisis truly reflects the communities we serve. We are actively working towards our organisation being a place where everyone can thrive and make their best contribution to our mission of ending homelessness for good. We know that the more perspectives, voices, and experiences we can bring to this work, the better. We particularly welcome applications from people who have lived experience of homelessness, and people from all marginalised groups, communities and backgrounds.

Working at Crisis
As a member of the team, you will have access to a wide range of employee benefits including:

- Interest free loans to purchase a train season ticket or a bike or for a deposit to secure a tenancy
- Mandatory pension scheme, with an employer contribution of 8.5%
- 25 days' annual leave which increases with service to 28 days

Alongside our excellent staff benefits, we will support your ongoing development to build your skills, experience and career.
When you join us, you will have the opportunity to join our staff diversity networks, which aim to champion issues across the organisation, enable staff to be their authentic and best selves and contribute to making Crisis a truly diverse organisation.

How to apply
If this sound likes the opportunity for you, please click on the 'Apply for Job' button below.
Closing date: Sunday 12th December (at 23:59)
Interviews will be held on Monday 20th December

Accessibility
We welcome applications from people who identify as neuro diverse and want our recruitment process to be as accessible as possible. If you need us to make an adjustment or provide additional support as you apply for a role, please email our Recruitment team, contact details can be found on our website.

Registered Charity Numbers: E&W, SC040094