Job Description

Role Specification

Housing Support Officer

Post:

Housing Support Officer

Reports to:

Support Manager

Direct Reports:

None

Job summary

To provide support service for tenants using and applying to the temporary housing service, to assist and empower them to maintain their tenancy, increase their independence and facilitate tenants moving on to more permanent accommodation

Key responsibilities

The role holder will establish and maintain professional relationships with customers, building mutual trust, respect and understanding to ensure effective work can be undertaken with families and individuals who are, or may be at risk of becoming, homeless and who may have, or be at risk of developing multiple needs. This work will usually be undertaken in the customer's accommodation as well as in various venues local to the household being supported. To assess service user needs and provide support for customers with complex needs, offering holistic support plans that agree individual targets and work towards the achievement of longer term solutions and aspirations. Establish and maintain a rapport with customers and challenge the existing patterns of behaviour which may undermine positive outcomes. Through regular visits ensure the tenant is effectively maintaining their tenancy and the property condition is satisfactory Work closely with the Income Officer to ensure the tenant maximises their income and is able to maintain regular payments of rent and utilities Assist customers to identify realistic goals, by providing choice and developing actions, ensuring full commitment and agreement from all parties to ensure the achievement of identified targets. Assist customers to move on from the temporary accommodation provided. Assist customers to identify and consider all reasonable accommodation options available to them so that they may move on from their temporary accommodation in a timely manner. This will include Registered Social Landlord and Private Rented Sector accommodation. Adopt a flexible and personalised approach when working with service users and their families to enable the development of confidence and resilience and to help service users achieve independence and control of their own lives Work collaboratively with partner agencies and stakeholders to ensure that service users are able to access community and national services to achieve their identified outcomes. Maintain accurate, up to date records and collect data and information to evidence performance around service delivery to ensure achievement of internal and external targets. Personal commitment to ensure diversity is positively valued, resulting in equal access and treatment in employment, service delivery and communications Personal commitment to continuous self development and service improvement. Work collaboratively with colleagues and cover for colleagues during absences Support the Operations Director and managers in ensuring a healthy and safe working environment for clients and staff and undertake other duties as required. Comply with District Homes' standards of information governance, data security and protection, and documented systems and procedures.

Person Specification

The applicant must consent to and apply for an enhanced DBS disclosure check or provide details of their DBS registered with the update service.

Experience

Experience of providing person centred support to customers in a housing /welfare environment Experience of liaising with external stakeholders and partners Experience of working with sensitive and confidential information Experience of maintaining records, providing reports and monitoring information

Skills and Abilities

Strong interpersonal skills including representing District Homes to customers, external stakeholders and partners Ability to communicate clearly, concisely, accurately and in ways that promote understanding Ability to organise multiple tasks in the most effective way and work according to task complexity and priority Good organisational skills with a proactive approach and attention to detail Able to work well under pressure to agreed deadlines Problem solving - Ability to analyse situations, identify the key issues, establish and evaluate alternative options and produce a logical, practical and acceptable solution Good verbal and numerical skills to undertake calculations and produce letters and other documentation Proactive, with ability to think creatively and provide innovative solutions to problems Skills to use ICT systems to obtain and analyse data and present it effectively through a variety of ICT channels Resilient and able to work under pressure High degree of integrity, confidentiality and diplomacy Able to work independently or as part of wider team as tasks require

Knowledge

Excellent ICT skills including use of packages such as Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook Knowledge of tenancy law and its application within the homeless sector Knowledge and awareness of adult and child safeguarding and the capacity to safeguard individuals in line with the organisational safeguarding policies

Education and training

A level or equivalent Commitment to continued personal development

Other requirements

Commitment to the aims, values and purpose of District Homes Commitment to work within District Homes' policies and procedures An open minded and customer focused attitude Willingness to take accountability for own actions in the delivery of objectives Able to be flexible in terms of working hours A full driving licence and access to a car for work purposes

NB:

This job description identifies the key responsibilities and requirements. It is not an exhaustive list of tasks that need to be completed. District Homes reserves the right to amend the job description as the role develops with the organisation.

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: 29,767.50 per year

Benefits:

On-site parking
Schedule:

Day shift Monday to Friday
Ability to commute/relocate:

Heywood, OL10 4NN: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)
Experience:

Customer support: 1 year (required) Customer Service: 1 year (required)
Language:

English (preferred)
Work authorisation:

United Kingdom (required)
Work Location: In person

Reference ID: HSO/01