Job Title: Support OfficerContract Type: PermanentSalary:  £26,397 per annum Working Hours:  Full time - 37.5 HoursWorking Pattern:   Monday to Sunday on a rota basisLocation:  Clarence House, BedfordIf you share our values and are excited about making a significant impact at Riverside, please ensure you attach a current CV and covering letter. At Riverside we recruit to potential not just on skills and experience, so we encourage you to apply even if you don't meet all the essential criteria on the job description.The difference you will make as a Support OfficerWe believe in providing care and support to our clients that will enable them to make informed decisions about their life that will increase their sense of wellbeing: this might be greater independence, better coping strategies or a richer network and sense of self achievement. You will be working from one of our supported services providing support to our customers in a variety of ways. Some of your responsibilities will include:

• Carry out assessment to identify and prioritize needs
• Use SMART goal planning to provide needs led holistic support
• Create an environment that promotes opportunities for customers to develop, learn and enable skills towards independence
• Provide a comprehensive support planning service to customers in line with the department’s policies, procedures, and approach
• Ensure customers are fully informed of their rights and responsibilities regarding the service and are enabled and empowered to get involved in the running of the service through consultation and participation
• Set up and maintain customer files and ensure that accurate and up to date records are kept of support provided to customers in accordance with HCS policies

About youWe are looking for someone who believes in working together as part of a team, who shares our values and who is committed to achieving positive outcomes for all of our customers.We are looking for someone with:

• Experience of working with vulnerable people with a range of needs in a support capacity
• A genuine passion for working with people
• Good communication skills and the ability to engage with and respect the needs of vulnerable people
• Excellent team working skills with a creative flair and ability to think outside of the box.
• Housing sector knowledge including housing benefit applications
• Strong IT and social media skills to manage and maintain administration and recording systems

Why Riverside?One Housing Group is now part of Riverside.  At Riverside, we’re a housing association with a difference – enhancing the everyday for all our customers. For 90 years, we’ve been revitalising neighbourhoods and supporting communities by providing the homes they need to live full, fulfilling and rewarding lives. We have a portfolio of over 75,000 affordable residential and retirement homes across the UK. Our work ranges from homelessness services to social care, employment support to retirement living, and we need the best people on board to help us.Working with us, you’ll enjoy:

• Competitive pay & generous pension 
• 28 days holidays plus bank holidays 
• Flexible working options available
• Investment in your learning, personal development and technology
• A wide range of benefits

Our Mental Health team is vital to helping us deliver on this vision. We work to transform the life experience of people with mental health support needs. The support we provide is delivered in a range of settings (like supported housing, assessment centres and outreach) and our customers’ support needs can include psychosis, forensic and personality disorders.We believe in providing care and support to our clients that will enable them to make informed decisions about their life that will increase their sense of wellbeing: this might be greater independence, better coping strategies or a richer network and sense of self achievement. We offer you the chance to develop your own skills through regular line management supervision, reflective practice, access to a ten-day course on relevant mental health topics and working together with your specialist colleagues.Diversity and Inclusion at Riverside:We are inclusive. At Riverside, we value diversity in all its forms. We foster a workplace where all individuals are respected, empowered, and heard. Our commitment to inclusivity drives our success and enriches the lives of our customers and colleagues. Riverside is a Disability Confident Employer and operates a Guaranteed Interview Scheme for any applicant who declares they have a disability. If the applicant meets the minimum requirements for the role (as set out in the role profile and/or person specification) they will be guaranteed an interview.Applications may close before the deadline, so please apply early to avoid disappointment.Role ProfileSupporting Customers:We use Psychologically Informed approaches and Trauma Informed Care principles to support our customers to develop new ways of thinking and to make steps towards independence, by:

Leading on Co-producing bespoke support and move-on plans, involving key stakeholders (e.g. family/other support providers), where appropriate

Organising and carrying out regular planned reviews of support and risk plans, or following an incident/significant change in a customer’s circumstancesEngaging customers to meet agreed outcomes and develop life...