Housing Support Officer

Purpose

To provide housing related support to Caridon Foundations clients, to enable them to maintain their tenancies and to achieve their aspiration for independent living. This will be achieved by assisting and encouraging customers to meet their personalised housing plans and helping them to access support from a wide range of agencies.

Key responsibilities

• To carry out Personal Housing Plans and Risk assessments
• To support clients in meeting their set goals set in accordance to their Personal Housing Plans
• To work with clients to understand their housing and support needs, as well as their ambitions, strengths and talents, with a view to increase their ability to cope and live independently
• To provide support and advice to vulnerable people to enable them to manage their tenancies
• To assist clients in reporting repairs.
• To maintain weekly contact with clients to support them to implement their Personal Housing Plans and help people to action their support needs
• To conduct regular review of risk assessments and support plans.
• To provide support on budgeting, maximising income, reducing expenditure, dealing with debt, rent arrears and welfare benefits including Housing Benefit
• To work with a range of agencies to promote health and well-being, including harm reduction to reduce the impact of risky behaviours such as alcohol and/or drugs misuse.
• To manage any anti-social behaviour/ incidents working side by side with Local Authority and external stakeholders in line with Caridon Foundation Policy and Procedure.
• To sign post clients to specialist organisation.
• To liaise with colleagues and other partners in event of tenancy breakdown.
• To record, update and maintain relevant record, update and maintain accurate internal digital records (Nourish/ Arthur/ Company Share drive).
• To record and report safeguarding concerns in line with Caridon Foundation duties and established policies and procedures.
• To attend multi-agency meetings to promote the needs of clients or Caridon Foundation
• To refer clients to Resettlement Housing Officer and Local Authority in the event of tenancy breakdown.
• To work and support clients to create a realistic move on plan that would meet their housing needs.
• To carry out regular planned visits in order to maintain the support service for tenants.
• To carry out weekly property inspections and Monthly H&S inspections of allocated Units.
• To provide monthly statistics
• To ensure confidentiality and data protection are observed at all times in compliance with the Data Protection Act & the General Data Protection Regulation
• To stand in for other team members as and when required
• Ad hoc responsibilities depending on the service's needs

Communications

• Contribute to Group Newsletter
• Collate case studies, photographs and information from the field and provide Public Relations

Person specification

Experience

• At least two years' experience in support work or similar role
• Demonstrable ability to develop nonjudgmental professional relationships with vulnerable clients i.e. people with mental health issues, substance misuse
• Experience working with those who have experienced homeless
• To be able to communicate well with clients and peers
• Ability to work positively without direct supervision, managing own time, meeting deadlines and undertaking training
• Ability to liaise positively with other agencies
• A knowledge of Health & Safety legislation to include basic first aid, food hygiene and infection control

Skills and Competencies

• Computer literate (Excel, Word, Outlook and the Internet)
• Demonstrable ability to plan and prioritise own workload
• Excellent communication skills
• Ability to demonstrate initiative and work well under pressure
• Ability to work as part of a team
• Acts as a role model to others in the team, sharing knowledge and experience, when necessary, whilst respecting and valuing the contribution other team members' experiences can bring
• Full UK driving licence desirable

Benefits

Generous Leave Entitlement:

• 25 days of annual leave.
• 8 days of bank holidays.

Health and Well-being:

• 5 days of sick leave. *
• Life cover for added security. *

Employee Wellness:

• Health Shield cash back plan for comprehensive health coverage. *

Pension Plan:

• 3% employee contribution and 5% employer contribution for a secure financial future.

Financial Incentives:

• Refer a friend and receive £200 after they complete probation. *

Celebratory Events:

• Participate in Christmas events for a joyous workplace.
• Engage in team-building events to strengthen team bonds.

Long-Term Service Recognition:

• Additional day of annual leave after 3 years of service. *

Note: Benefits marked with an asterisk (*) are subject to eligibility criteria.