Gypsy and Traveller Unit
The Gypsy Unit is a small team within Kent County Council Adult
Social Services, which provides a range of services related to the
Gypsy and Traveller communities resident within or passing through
Kent.
The service comprises two main areas:
Site Management
The majority of staff within the Gypsy Unit are engaged in the
management of 8 authorised Gypsy caravan sites across the
county.
In addition to managing the physical environment a site manager
seeks to provide assistance to Gypsies and Travellers on these
sites where they can, to help ensure they are aware of their
entitlements and can access services.
Site Managers also have a strong role to play in liaising with
local settled communities and a range of agencies to improve the
relationships, circumstances and opportunities available to the
Gypsy and Traveller community on our sites.
Unauthorised Encampments
The Gypsy Unit also manages all unauthorised encampments on KCC
land, ensuring swift, effective and appropriate responses on those
encampments.
What Skills are required?
- Good interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate with
people of all levels of literacy
- Excellent negotiation skills
- A pragmatic approach to problem solving
- Knowledge of housing and welfare systems
- Understanding of race and ethnicity issues
- IT skills including Excel, Word and book keeping.
What Experience is required?
- Multi agency or community development working with Gypsies and
Travellers or those from ethnic minorities
- Receiving monies and accounting for it through to banking
- Experience of handling conflict or hostile situations including
knowledge of preventing and managing violence.