Job description
Housing Support Worker Job Description
Job Title: Housing Support Worker
Reporting into: Operations Manager
Company: Quays Housing
Location: Bradford
Hours: Full-time (40 hours) – Monday to Friday
Contract length: Permanent
Salary: £20,
Requirements: Enhanced DBS Check (company funded)
JOB SUMMARY
Quays Housing provides high quality homes for people who are in housing need, facilitating creative support services unique to each person with the aim of enabling them to recognise and reach their full potential. We work with support providers, local authorities and other statutory and third sector partners to target areas where there is a high priority need to tackle homelessness to create suitable accommodation for single homeless people.
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Housing Support Worker based in Bradford to provide housing management and support services to vulnerable homeless adults living in supported accommodation.
As a committed Support Worker, you will be part of a team who provide high quality housing and tailored support to our clients. You will work with clients in maintaining accommodation and delivering support in line with each persons individual need, encouraging the development of skills and working together towards assisting them to secure and sustain their own permanent accommodation.
You will carry out risk assessments and deliver support, considering our clients physical, mental and emotional wellbeing and have experience or knowledge of people experiencing circumstances such as
homelessness, mental health issues, substance misuse, alcohol misuse and a history of offending.
You will work within the Quality Assessment Framework, associated regulations and Quays Housing Policy and Procedure whilst demonstrating our core values of Passion, Pride, Equality and Commitment.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Key responsibilities will include:
Service Management
Assess prospective new Service Users to ensure that that their support needs fall within agreed referral criteria.
Assist vulnerable tenants in ensuring that their immediate needs are met including, but not limited to healthcare, hygiene, and diet.
Undertake needs and risk assessments and develop appropriate support plans initially from the details from the Housing Options referral and regularly update this ensuring that progress targets can be measured and reported.
Build professional relationship with Service Users to enable identification of all relevant support needs and maintain support plan enabling them to sustain their Tenancy Agreement and develop the confidence and skills to manage move on or their own tenancy.
Advocate on the Service Users behalf if required or work with their advocate if appropriate.
Contribute to developing sound working relationships Housing Options referral lines, Housing Benefit department other relevant statutory support and voluntary agencies as required.
Provide information in relation to the service as and when required by senior managers.
Respond promptly and sensitively in line with procedures to all reports of harassment, domestic violence nuisance and anti-social behavior.
Carry out weekly welfare checks.
Ensure all Service Users have a good understanding of their rights and responsibilities under the tenure agreement.
Ensure Service Users involvement and consultation over decisions that affect them.
Work closely with colleagues to share relevant information on Service Users, safeguarding matters.
Housing Management
Work closely with the Income team to keep up to date on housing related benefits and advise tenants on these to maximize and manage their income
Support the Income team with Housing Benefit Claims and collation of any relevant information from Service Users.
Work closely with internal teams to ensure that the voids targets are met.
Complete regular inspections of properties and ensure that properties are maintained to a high standard.
Encourage Service Users to take responsibility for maintaining their home and to learn the skills they need to work towards more independent living.
Conduct health and safety risk assessments and implement control measures.
Contribute to the testing of equipment and systems on site as per health and safety and fire procedures, following up any actions required.
Reporting of repairs and liaison with internal Assets Team.
General Responsibilities
Maintain accurate records in line with policies and procedures and the requirements of commissioners and other regulatory organizations.
Complete all mandatory training and comply with requirements.
Support the Operations Manager with continuous improvement activities within the team.
Complete all activities within the agreed Key Performance Indicators.
This list is not exhaustive and the role of the Housing Support Worker is not limited to these responsibilities, additional responsibilities may be given as and when business needs dictate.
What We Offer
A competitive salary
40 hour working week
Full training
Career advancement
25 days annual leave (increasing with service)
A contributory pension scheme
NHS Cash Top Up Plan – claim back costs of everyday healthcare (WPA)
Reward Hub discounts and cash back from high street retailers
Wellbeing Centre
Cycle to work scheme
Season ticket loan
Life Assurance
PERSON SPECIFICATION
The person specification should set out the qualifications, experience, skills, knowledge, personal attributes, interests, and other requirements, which the post holder requires to perform the job to a satisfactory level.
Requirements for the role.
EXPERIENCE
Experience of working with vulnerable groups
Experience of working with homelessness.
Experienced in support planning and completing risk assessments for the service users
SKILLS & KNOWLEDGE
Good IT skills
A good knowledge of safeguarding procedures.
Good written communication skills the ability to produce accurate and concise support plans.
An effective communicator able to represent Quays Housing in a professional manner.
A good team worker.
PERSONAL QUALITIES
Values diversity and encourages a working environment in which diversity is valued.
Able to always maintain confidentiality.
Able to demonstrate empathy with tenants with complex support needs.
Able to thrive under pressure.
Resilient and able to adapt and be flexible to the demands of the role.
Motivated and able to work on own initiative.
A proactive problem solver
OTHER
An ambition to drive excellence for our customers and residents.
Recommended Skills
Adaptability
Business Process Improvement
Business Requirements
Claim Processing
Communication
Confidentiality
