Job title: Housing Support Officer

Reporting to: Housing Support Service Lead

Staff reporting: N/A

Tasks

• 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 regular contact with clients to support them to implement their Personal Housing Plans and help people to action their support needs
• Provide support on budgeting, maximising income, reducing expenditure, dealing with debt, rent arrears and welfare benefits including Housing Benefit
• Working 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 sign post clients to specialist organisation
• To liaise with colleagues and other partners in event of tenancy breakdown
• To maintain accurate Arthur records
• 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 in the event of tenancy breakdown
• To carry out regular planned visits in order to maintain the support service for tenants
• 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

Communications

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

Personal Specification
Experience

• At least two year’s 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 member’s experiences can bring