Local Area Coordinator - 2 fixed term posts

We are excited to offer two Local Area Coordinator posts on a 6-month fixed-term contract. The roles are based in the heart of the community and face-to-face with local people. A smaller proportion of the role is administrative/recording time.

Each Local Area Coordinator (LAC) has a designated community ‘patch’ they work within. They are based in that community and are approachable and easy to reach. Local Area Coordinators ‘walk alongside’ people, forming a relationship with them, building on their strengths, to achieve their vision of a better life and reducing the need for formal services. LACs assist the person to deal with the things in their life they want to change. These can be related to housing, mental health, physical ill health, disability, domestic violence, debt and money problems, isolation, sudden change in family circumstances and a wide range of challenges. Some people just want some information and signposting.

The team works closely with other teams and services, including Council services, the voluntary, community and faith sector, and charitable organisations.

Local Area Coordinators support people to:

• Build and pursue their personal vision for a good life
• Stay strong, safe and connected as contributing citizens
• Find practical, non-service solutions to problems wherever possible
• Build more welcoming, inclusive and supportive communities

We are looking for someone who has relevant experience of working directly with people in an empowering way and believes that people are the best navigators of their own lives. You will have a warm, friendly, outgoing nature and be committed to working in a way that celebrates a person’s strengths despite what they might be going through in their life. You will be able to work on your own but with the support of the team and wider community.

You will need experience of working alongside and supporting individuals in complex situations and an understanding of asset-based community development. You will have an understanding and practical experience of advocacy and supporting people to plan and build on or develop their own strengths. You will be a creative thinker who is able to work in innovative ways and you must be committed to working alongside people to help them find solutions to improve their outcomes.

Your communication skills and ability to build trusting relationships across a wide range of people will be essential. You will be creative and resourceful, able to develop a wide range of connections in the local community.

You will be joining a passionate, committed and supportive team to continue to deliver this service for Havering residents. There will be multiple training opportunities.