Find More Than 10K+
United Kingdom Jobs

Job description

Housing and Support Officer

Job Description

Responsible to: Housing and Support Manager

Responsible for: No direct reports

Hours of Work: 40 hours on a shift rota including weekends - plus 1 hour paid lunch break per day

Work Location: YMCA Slough, although may be required to work at any YMCA location

Organisation Context

YMCA St Paul’s Group (SPG) is the largest YMCA in Europe and a leading provider of supported housing in London and beyond, providing a safe place to stay to about 1,200 young and vulnerable people each night.

• We provide housing and support to those in need of a place to call home and support them with services that empower them to build a positive future.
• We support children, young people, and families to be safe, healthy, connected, and confident.
• We bring people together by encouraging them to be healthy, physically, and mentally.
• We help nurture an environment where people of all faiths and none can understand and express the love of God.
• We empower our residents, staff and users by providing them with excellent service and welcoming properties where they can thrive.
• We enable the Charity to respond to the future with an equipped and empowered workforce that is flexible and agile.
• The vision of YMCA St Paul’s group is to empower young people by providing the resources and support so they can thrive.  We wish to create inclusive, active and healthy communities where everyone can flourish.

Our approach is informed by our Christian faith and we work with fellow community collaborators to see this vision realised. Our core values underpin the way that we deliver our work, and our aim is to create an inclusive culture where our staff, residents and customers feel a sense of belonging and can be their authentic selves.

Job Purpose

• To provide housing management and housing related support to a caseload of residents
• To be responsible for the monitoring of all rent accounts ensuring that both personal and housing benefit elements are paid regularly – taking early intervention and prevention action to minimise rent arrears, only taking enforcement action when necessary
• Work collaboratively with other departments – in particular, Facilities and Property Management and other community operations teams (Health and Wellbeing, and Children Youth and Families) to deliver the best service for our residents
• To ensure that residents receive services relevant to their needs, arising from their Outcome Star assessment action plans
• To be responsible for ensuring that the Inform is maintained accurately times for all residents with whom you have contact
• To support residents to engage and participate in Progression activities
• To work proactively with residents to high-quality and affordable move-on accommodation
• Maximise resident’s uptake in Progression opportunities by working alongside the Progression Coaches
• Maximising housing occupancy and minimising voids by taking proactive action
• Ensure that residents comply with Tenancy and License conditions, and taking action to deal with any anti-social behaviour as instructed by the Housing and Support Manager

Duties and Responsibilities

Housing Management

• Be responsible for the intake of residents, undertaking all required paperwork and ensuring that the licence agreement and all relevant policies and procedures fully and clearly explained
• To be responsible for the monitoring of all rent accounts ensuring that both personal and housing benefit elements are paid regularly – taking early intervention and prevention action to minimise rent arrears, only taking enforcement action when necessary
• Maximise housing occupancy and minimising voids by taking proactive action, including void inspections, and facilitating referrals, interviews and assessments
• Proactively investigate and address all cases of anti-social behaviour

Support

• Carry out Outcome Stars assessments and collaboratively create person-centred actions – using a Psychologically Informed approach
• Review and update assessments and actions as led by residents at appropriate intervals in accordance with policies and procedures
• Be responsible for monitoring client’s welfare, including physical and mental health, substance misuse and to intervene with appropriate strategies as needed
• Liaise, advise, and advocate with the client to external agencies
• Carry out Facilities Checks and Wellbeing Checks as required in accordance with policy and procedures
• Ensure work is delivered collaboratively with all other departments – in particular – the Property and Facilities team, and other community operations teams (Health and Wellbeing, and Children, Youth and Families)
• Ensure that Safeguarding procedures are followed, taking action to report concerns proactively in accordance with our Safeguarding Policy and Procedures
• Work in partnership with the Progression team to ensure residents maximise their engagement with Education, Training, Employment and Volunteering (ETEV) and Engagement and Empowerment activities
• Support residents to establish a greater awareness of the community they live in and their ability to live independently

General – All Staff

• Attend all relevant training and development programmes.
• Attend all relevant cross departmental, and Corporate meetings as and when required.
• Undertake all duties with regard to the Association’s Equal Opportunities and Diversity Policy and other policies and procedures adopted by the Association.
• To be aware of and comply with safe working practices as laid down under the Health and Safety at Work Act and to attend training as required.
• Respect the Christian ethos of the YMCA and uphold its values.
• Undertake any other duties as requested by line manager.
• Ensure that Digitally and Financially Inclusive approaches are taken with the provision of housing management and support

Scope and Limits of Authority

This role has no delegated authority.

Housing and Support Officer

Person Specification/Key Competences

KNOWLEDGE

Essential

Desirable

Graduate standard of education

Housing Diploma or Qualification

Good working knowledge of equality and diversity

EXPERIENCE

Desirable

Face to face work with people who need support e.g. supported housing, advice, housing or social work

Working with a range of vulnerable people at different levels

One to one support to vulnerable clients in a supported housing setting

Resettlement and move-on experience into registered housing and private rented sector

APTITUDES AND SKILLS

Desirable

To develop and maintain good working relationships and to encourage client participation

Working knowledge of Inform Data Management System

To assess needs in relation to housing and identify key areas for support

Working knowledge of Pyramid Rental Income System

Excellent communication and interpersonal skills

Ability to advocate, negotiate and mediate on behalf of clients

Ability to confront difficult situations and reconcile different viewpoints

Ability to develop support strategies and projects to benefit clients

Good organisational skills combined with good IT skills

PERSONAL

Ability to work both as a member of a team and on own initiative

A full UK driving licence

An understanding and sympathy with the YMCA vision and mission

A commitment to providing young people with high quality support

Able to work a shift pattern including evenings and weekends

Supported Housing Officer

Terms and Conditions of Employment

Salary

£ 25,881

Hours of Work

40 hours on a shift rota including weekends

Annual Leave

Commencing at 25 days per annum plus public holidays (for five day per week workers; otherwise pro-rata).

Conditions of Appointment

Subject to satisfactory references, medical clearance, Disclosure & Barring Service check and verification of ability to work in the United Kingdom. Also required to wear staff badge, and where appropriate, supplied uniform.

Probation Period

Six months.

Continuity of Service

For those already employed within the YMCA Federation, continuity of service will be recognised for pension and annual leave entitlement, but not statutory rights.

Notice Period

One week during the probation period and then a minimum of one calendar month.

Pension

Subject to certain criteria set by Government, you will be auto-enrolled into our chosen workplace pension scheme. The default position on Auto-Enrolment will be for your contributions to be made on a Salary Exchange basis, but you will have the option to opt-out of this arrangement. In respect of these Salary Exchange arrangements, you agree that your gross pay will be reduced by an amount equal to your Salary Exchange contributions.

Other Benefits

Free use of the health and fitness facilities; a staff discount in restaurants.

All roles will be required to work a 7 day rolling rota between the hours of 8am – 8pm including weekends. You must be able to work these hours. If you are interested in joining this exciting project - please contact us for a full application pack.

Job Type: Permanent

Salary: £25,881.00 per year

Benefits:

• Company events
• Cycle to work scheme
• Discounted or free food
• Free parking
• Gym membership
• Life insurance
• On-site parking
• Sick pay
• Store discount
• Wellness programme

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Day shift
• Monday to Friday
• Weekend availability

Ability to commute/relocate:

• SL1 2SR: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)

Education:

• A-Level or equivalent (preferred)

Experience:

• supported housing or social work: 1 year (required)

Work authorisation:

• United Kingdom (required)

Shift availability:

• Day shift (required)
• Night shift (required)

Work Location: In person