We are delighted to be advertising an exciting new role at MASH. MASH is a busy city-centre based charity working with women who sex work to help keep them safe and more empowered to make decisions about their lives. Our small and dedicated staff team, supported by volunteers, work with more than 400 women every year and we are the only agency in Manchester working specifically with women with complex needs.
In 2018, MASH was awarded the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service, the equivalent of an MBE, which recognises exceptional work done by volunteer groups in their communities.
All our staff benefit from regular development opportunities including trauma-informed training.
Using a gender and trauma-informed approach, the Specialist Inreach Worker will work closely with women who are moving through the complex women’s pathway. This will involve offering continuity of support to women ensuring they have pathways into vital services that support their needs, keep them safe and minimise their risks of returning to the street. The specialist worker will deliver a service that is focused on reducing homelessness for women and addressing the trauma related to violence against women/girls and domestic violence and abuse. The specialist frontline worker will encourage women to engage with services to improve their longer term outcomes, break the cycle of homelessness and address their holistic needs to encourage recovery.
It is an occupational requirement under the Equality Act 2010 (Schedule 9, part 1) for this post to be filled only by a woman.
Key Dimensions of the Role
| Role: | Specialist Inreach Worker |
| Reporting to: | Head of Services |
| Salary: | £29,218 |
| Hours: | 35 hours per week |
| Contract: | Fixed term for 3 years (until 31st March 2025) |
| Annual leave entitlement: | 25 days plus bank holidays (pro rata) |
| Location: | MASH, 94 -96 Fairfield Street, Manchester, M1 2WR |
| Closing date: | Midnight on 26th June 2022 |
| Interview: | Interviews will be held on Wednesday 6th July 2022 at the MASH office |
| Starting date: | 8th August 2022 |
| Additional Information: | It is an occupational requirement under the Equality Act 2010 (Schedule 9, part 1) for this post to be filled only by a woman. |
Purpose of the role
To work with other members of the MASH team to achieve the following outcomes for women who are rough sleeping, begging and sex working:
- To improve women’s health
- To improve women’s well being
- To empower women to make choices
- To increase women’s safety
- To influence policy and practice changes in other agencies working with our clients group
- To influence a more positive view in society of our clients
Key accountabilities of the role
Person specification
Essential:
- A minimum of 3 years’ experience of working with service users in a challenging frontline environment and a good understanding of the complex needs relating to women and homelessness.
- Significant experience of identifying and managing risk.
- Significant experience of identifying forms of abuse/harm and escalating concerns of safeguarding to the multiagency safeguarding hub.
- Ability to implement safety plans in-line with MASH risk assessment processes.
- Ability to think on your feet and effectively deliver crisis interventions as and when necessary.
- A good understanding of harm reduction; drug intervention and treatment; sexual health; homelessness, domestic violence, mental health and modern day slavery.
- Knowledge of the statutory framework for safeguarding children and adults.
- Experience of working with women trapped in the cycle of homelessness and/or involved in sex work and rough sleeping.
- Experience of partnership working with other agencies.
- Experience of liaising with a broad range of individuals and organisations and establishing and maintaining professional working relationships.
- The ability to take responsibility for the delivery of services and the ability to use integrity and work off your own initiative.
- Excellent organisational and planning skills.
- Excellent communication skills.
- Computer competent and able to navigate around electronic systems and input information.
- A commitment to MASH’s vision and way of working.
Desirable:
- A recognised qualification in housing/community development, social work, social care, or equivalent.
- Experience of operating within the statutory housing field and some understanding of the Homeless Reduction Act and the legal duties on local authorities.
- Basic knowledge of the benefits system and how to apply.
- The ability to assist with service development, communicate innovative ideas and to be able to take ideas forward as part of a team to assist with creating improved or new ways of working.
- Driving license
How to apply
To apply for this role, please email the completed Application Form to Admin@mash.org.uk by midnight on Sunday 26th June
Download the application form
Should you have any questions please contact admin@mash.org.uk or call 0161 273 4555
The post is subject to DBS checks, suitable references, and completion of a 6-month probation period.