Job Details: Depaul: Homeless Health Peer Advocacy (HHPA) Coordinator


Irish Future
Talbot Street
Dublin 1
irishfuture.ie
Depaul: Homeless Health Peer Advocacy (HHPA) Coordinator


Depaul believes that everyone should have a place to call home and a
stake in their community. Our aim is to work with those who are
socially excluded and marginalised by providing a quality led service
in order to produce the best possible outcomes for those accessing our
services. We strive to empower our service users to make choices and
decisions about the way they live their lives. We work in partnership
with central and local government, housing associations and other
non-governmental organisations.

Depaul is an equal opportunities employer, we offer a standard **Apply
on the website** hour working week, generous leave entitlements and a
pension scheme. We support all staff with regular supervision and core
training.

DEPAUL WISHES TO RECRUIT FOR THE FOLLOWING ROLE:

HOMELESS HEALTH PEER ADVOCACY (HHPA) COORDINATOR

1 YEAR FIXED TERM, FULL TIME (**APPLY ON THE WEBSITE** HOURS PER WEEK)

BASED IN DUBLIN SERVICES

?**APPLY ON THE WEBSITE**,**APPLY ON THE WEBSITE**.**APPLY ON THE
WEBSITE** PER ANNUM

1. ROLE

To assist in the development and delivery of Homeless Health Peer
Advocate (HHPA) Programme funded by the HSE Social Inclusion Health
Service at both hospitals. The HHPA Coordinator will deliver an
efficient and high quality service to the participants in the Homeless
Health Peer Advocate Programme and their peers, evaluate outcomes and
support peer-led research. The role will involve recruiting, training,
mentoring and supervising a team of Homeless Health Peer Advocates
based on the model developed by Groundswell in London, UK.

The HHPAs will also inform the design and ongoing improvement of the
Inclusion Health Service. The Inclusion Health Service will shortly
commence a HSE/Genio Service Reform Fund sponsored Homeless Hospital
Discharge Programme Pilot, and the HHPAs will play a vital role in
helping the team to develop the service to meet the needs of people
experiencing homelessness. The HHPAs will also be involved in
identifying research priorities and in carrying out peer-led
research.?This post may involve some evening and weekend work. The
HHPA Co-ordinator is responsible for the maintenance and development
of the HHPA Programme.

The HHPA Coordinator will be line managed by and responsible to the
Clinical Governance Manager and Homeless Hospital Discharge Project
Manager (HSE Social Inclusion). S/he will work in conjunction with
internal and external agencies to recruit candidates.

2. KEY AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

PEER RECRUITMENT, SELECTION AND STAFFING

* Recruitment of Homeless Health Peer Advocates
* To liaise with the internal/external agencies to promote
recruitment of a sufficient number of participants to run the
programme
* To ensure that HHPAs are inducted, trained and supported to adhere
to all Depaul HHPA policies and procedures particularly those relating
to Confidentiality, Code of Practice, Boundaries, Equal Opportunities,
Risk Management and Lone Working issues
* To provide regular supervision and support to the HHPAs in
carrying out of their tasks and supporting individuals in the
community to engage with health care supports
* To ensure a safe and secure environment for participants ensuring
required risk assessment processes are carried out in relation to all
activities and where necessary risk management plans are implemented.

PEER TRAINING, SUPPORT AND PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT

* In conjunction with the Inclusion Health and Depaul?s Health
Initiative: organise, design, and facilitate HHPA training course and
additional training where needs arise.
* To work with Befriending Coordinator on shared learning
opportunities and participate in social/fundraising events
* To attend weekly Inclusion health MDTs and case conferences as
required
* To organise and facilitate HHPA team meetings on a weekly basis
* To provide link in?s and support to all HHPAs in their role, and
act as on-call support while HHPA?s on visits
* To support HHPA skills development and caseload management,
coordinate appointments/transport and provide cover for visits where
necessary
* To oversee and inform management of any issue that appears to
compromise any Depaul Policy, Procedure or practice.
* To inform management and escalate complaints by HHPAs and those
receiving support
* To organise an HHPA graduation and recognition events for
participants
* To adhere to all Depaul Policies and procedures.

IN-REACH SERVICE, HEALTH PROMOTION AND PEER DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME

* To support HHPA in-reach into homeless services to recruit
potential participants and the HHPA service
* Provide support HHPAs to provide Health promotion advice and
information to people experiencing homelessness accessing
accommodation and day services.
* To support training and roll out of Peer Overdose awareness and
Management Programme
* Support further education, training and employment opportunities
for the HHPAs

PARTNERSHIP WORK

* To work in line with expected framework and close fidelity to
Groundswell?s model
* Provide reports to Inclusion Health/funders on developments and
delivery of the project and ensure the programme is run to reflect the
standards and ethos of Depaul
* Provide monthly and quarterly reports to the line manager and
funders, and work with Steering Group to ensure KPI?s being met
* To represent the project internally and externally at development
forums, conferences and keep informed of relevant changes to policies
and procedures that are relevant to the development and success of the
project (e.g. fundraising & communications)
* To attend Inclusion Health forum meetings and Service Delivery
Planning meetings as required
* To build up good working relationships with other projects and
agencies in the homeless sector and attend where possible relevant
networks

The above list is not exhaustive; additional areas of responsibility
both in relation to tasks and direct reports may be added over time.

3. PERSON REQUIREMENTS

EXPERIENCE

* An understanding of the need of vulnerable people to have strong
social networks and support in the community (ESSENTIAL)
* Experience working/volunteering with vulnerable people and related
health issues (ESSENTIAL)
* MINIMUM ONE-YEAR experience working/volunteering in homelessness,
health, social care, employment and training, addiction or treatment
services field or another related area (ESSENTIAL)
* Experiencing of key working, recovery coaching or case management
(ESSENTIAL)
* Experience in delivering training and/or group facilitation
(ESSENTIAL)
* Experience of supervision, managing people and strong
administrative skills (DESIRABLE)
* Be secure in recovery if relevant
* Lived experience of homelessness and/or related issues will be
taken into special consideration

QUALIFICATIONS

* A secondary level education is essential.
* Third level qualification in relevant area is desirable.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

* An understanding of why people become homeless, their presenting
health needs and the barriers to accessing health services.
* Experience of risk management systems and working within a process
of risk reduction/control as part of the daily operations of the
programme.
* Capacity to engage with and gain the trust of participants.
* An understanding of the benefits of peer programmes and the
ability to support and motivate participants to work in innovative
ways Ability to deliver training to volunteers.
* Experience of the challenges involved in lone working and how this
may impact on the training needs of Homeless Health Peer Advocates
* Knowledge of the statutory and voluntary sector resources and
referral pathways to health care.
* An interest in peer led initiatives, research and a commitment to
supporting HHPAs into further education and employment opportunities
* Ability to be a flexible, participating and co-operative member of
a team.
* Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing and
good listening skills.
* Ability to use initiative, apply sound decision making skills and
to make rapid assessments of the needs of HHPAs and participants.
* Ability to act calmly in emergencies and respond in a professional
manner to challenging and stressful situations.
* Ability to liaise effectively with staff at all levels as well as
outside agencies and to advocate on behalf of HHPA and participants.
* A good knowledge of Health and safety and risk management systems.
* Strong organizational, administrative and data collection skills
including experience in report writing or policy development
* Strong sense of advocacy and commitment to health equity and
social justice

ATTITUDE

* A commitment to and an understanding of equal opportunities and
diversity issues.
* A belief in the value and potential of peers working in the area
of health and homelessness
* Respect for the values and beliefs of Depaul and the founding
partners.
* To work professionally with clear boundaries at all times

OTHER

* Good Computer literacy including Microsoft Word, Excel, Email and
Google Drive
* Ability to support and motivate individuals within the programme

-------------------------

ONLINE APPLICATION PROCEDURE:

Please apply though our online application process on the vacancies
page of our website


We need : English (Good)

Type: Permanent
Payment:
Category: Health

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