Red Snapper Recruitment are recruiting for a Senior Accommodation Support Officer based in Liverpool.

The purpose of this role is to provide effective interventions and stakeholder liaison in custody and in the community in order to support male participants throughout the region to address their housing needs and reduce their likelihood of reoffending.

This post has specific responsibility to contribute to developing high-quality practice among practitioners in the accommodation team through observing and auditing practice and providing coaching, mentoring, specialist advice and guidance to colleagues within the team.

This is a full time 37 hours per week (Monday - Friday), permanent role and offers a salary of between £26,150 - £32,668 per annum (based on experience).

To apply, you must have current driving license and access to a vehicle.

Main duties and responsibilities

• To assist the Accommodation Team Support Manager in continuous improvement to practice and the delivery of a high-quality service.
• To provide specialist housing law/process advice and guidance in Housing to participants, accommodation staff and other employees where required.
• To provide coaching, mentoring and workshops to all members of the team to develop their standards of practice and knowledge.
• To provide a link between the work of the Excellence and Effectiveness (E&E) Directorate and frontline practice.
• Work in close partnership with Probation Practitioners in order to understand and respond to the housing needs of participants, carrying out initial assessments and constructing a housing resettlement plan, taking account of risk and the needs to facilitate appropriate actions and outcomes.

• Build and maintain an effective relationship with actual and potential referral agencies, authorities, stakeholders and organisations in order to facilitate referrals to programmes/ activities/ services as required and support participants housing needs.
• To work with individuals and groups of staff in the team to identify learning needs and areas for development both in terms of housing and the skills required to work effectively with participants in custody and the community.
• To provide regular supervision to a team of Accommodation Support Officers and to manage and monitor caseloads to meet contractual requirements.
• There will be a requirement to attend Prisons on a regular basis to support custody-based employees. This will require prison vetting.
• To coach and mentor staff to develop specialist housing skills, knowledge and understanding to deliver a high quality, outcome-based service.
• To facilitate workshops, action learning sets and case discussion among colleagues to support more formal learning, peer learning and professional development.
• To support staff to confidently challenge local authorities to correctly discharge their housing responsibilities and to review incorrect decisions
• To work directly with a caseload of individuals who, in particular require specialist advice to overcome legal barriers to gaining housing.
• To attend specialist training as required to ensure up to date knowledge and skills in relation to the provision of housing advice and guidance
• To identify and take the necessary actions to protect children and vulnerable adults and promote their welfare in accordance with safeguarding policies and procedures
• In addition, a manager is responsible for the health, safety and welfare of their team, which involves proactive and effective interactions with both the Health & Safety Team, and the Estates & Facilities Team
• To ensure the safe and compliant delivery by ensuring regulations, company policies and contractual requirements are understood and adhered to, e.g., Health & Safety, Equal Opportunities and Information security.
• To handle personal data in accordance with the organisation's data protection policy.

Person Specification

• Level 3 Award in Education and Training (or PTLLS)
• Knowledge of tenancy law concerning housing associations, private and social landlords
• Evidence of IT literacy and the ability to use information systems/data effectively
• Ability to motivate, guide and coach staff
• Essential to have a good working knowledge of the Housing Act 1996 and a thorough knowledge of housing options.
• A thorough understanding of the homelessness reduction act 2017
• A good understanding of the work of the Probation and Prison Service
• Knowledge of the challenges faced by those leaving custody
• Comprehensive knowledge of legal aid eligibility rules
• Good understanding of learning styles and staff development techniques
• An understanding of safeguarding.
• Proven track record as a competent and high performing practitioner in the housing field, promoting best practice in service delivery
• Ability to facilitate workshops /case discussions and give feedback diplomatically and sensitively

Role is subject to DBS check at the relevant level.

[Optional]If this role is not for you but you do know somebody who would be interested please refer them. We have a referral bonus scheme and will pay £75, in retail vouchers of your choice, for referrals who are not already known to us.

Due to the high volume of applications received, if you do not hear from us within 7 working days, I am afraid your application has been unsuccessful.

RSR is a public safety & enterprise security recruitment specialist.

We assist public safety employers find the right talent.

We assist all employers when they want to source public safety and enterprise security skills and experience.

Red Snapper Recruitment is a member of the Red Snapper Group.

The Red Snapper Group acts as an employment agency (permanent) and as an employment business (temporary) - a free and confidential service to candidates.

The Red Snapper Recruitment Group is an equal opportunities employer.