Please note: This is a 18 months fixed term contract
Working hours: Minimum of 40 hours per week
Location: Willow House Lifehouse, Reading
Interview date: To be confirmed
The Salvation Army are partnering with the University of Stirling via the Salvation Army Centre for Addiction Services and Research to deliver a trial for the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). This unique and innovative social care trial will examine the effectiveness and cost effectiveness of a Peer Navigator/peer support intervention for people experiencing homelessness and problems with substance use. We are now looking for a Peer Navigator (lived experience practitioner) within our Homelessness service to deliver a relationship-based intervention to those experiencing drug and alcohol problems and homelessness, providing both practical and emotional support.
Everyone is welcome at The Salvation Army, and we encourage people from all backgrounds to apply to become part of our skilled and effective workforce. As a faith-based charity we expect our people to work within our faith-based ethos and our values of integrity, accountability, compassion, passion, boldness, and respect.
Key Responsibilities: The role of Peer Navigator (Lived Experience Practitioner) is fundamental to The Salvation Army’s desire to help vulnerable clients achieve positive outcomes and as such you will be passionate, target driven, dynamic and demonstrate an in-depth knowledge of services for vulnerable clients in a competitive climate. You will also champion excellence in terms of ensuring our clients are central to our services and successful individual outcomes are achieved.
There is a requirement to work flexibly to meet the needs of participants/client, due to the nature of this particular role, including the outreach element. The usual pattern of work will be Monday-Friday with hours between 8am-6pm. However, some working outside these hours may be requested, depending on the needs of the people you will be supporting. Work life balance will be taken into consideration and individual needs can be discussed with line managers.
The successful candidate(s) will be able to demonstrate:
Their own personal (not family related) experience of homelessness and/or problem alcohol/drug use.
A passion for supporting vulnerable people, with strong previous experience of working successfully in a similar role, and good knowledge of drug and alcohol issues including harm reduction models.
Genuine compassion and non-judgemental attitude for people in need with challenging lives.
Knowledge of the main support needs of people experiencing homelessness and other forms of vulnerability, including problem substance use and challenges with the welfare benefit system.
Appointment subject to satisfactory references, proof of right to work in the UK and Enhanced with the barred list DBS adult workforce Disclosure check.
We recognise that many of the individuals applying for the Peer Navigator roles may have previous criminal convictions. Those in Safeguarding and HR within The Salvation Army will work closely with the study team/recruitment panels to ensure that individuals are provided with support throughout the process of undertaking the PVG and DBS disclosures. This is important because we recognise that the legislative disclosure processes can be personally and professionally challenging and we aim to be trauma informed in our recruitment processes.
In order to complete your application please download and read the job profile and any other attachments.
In the job profile you will find the criteria required for the role please make sure that you address this in your supporting statement as this forms the basis of our shortlisting.
Please note that any Salvation Army employees who are under notice of redundancy and apply for this position will be given priority consideration.
We reserve the right to close this advert earlier if we feel that we have received sufficient applications.
Promoting equality in the workplace and as a disability confident leader scheme employer, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the vacancy.