Housing Support Officer

HOUSING SUPPORT OFFICER

 

POST:                               Housing Support Officer

RESPONSIBLE TO:            Assistant Housing Support Manager 

HOURS:                            Average of 37½ hours per week on rota of 7.00am - 3.00pm, 12.15pm – 8.15pm shift over 7 days a week. (4 week shift pattern) including Bank Holidays.

SALARY:                           Starting at £24667.50 per annum

 

WHY WORK FOR US?

Be part of the YMCA team that has been in existence since 1852! 

YMCA Cardiff Group are committed to reviewing our employee wellbeing package and in addition to the benefits below, we are also currently in discussions to implement the 100-80-100 model of a 4 day working week.

• Enhanced annual leave allowance
• Company sick pay Enhanced maternity pay Enhanced paternity pay
• Group Life Insurance
• Private Health Scheme
• Online HR system giving access to book your annual leave from a mobile/tablet
• Achieved Investors In People Platinum status in 2019 Generous pension scheme
• Group team days

ORGANISATIONAL AIMS:

1.       To provide temporary hostel accommodation to homeless people

2.       To develop a range of accommodation options and individual capacity building

3.       To manage the Association and its projects with good practice and within statutory guidance.

 

OUR VALUES:

Because we CARE and have COMPASSION we want to MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

Our aim is to EMPOWER and SUPPORT people.

We do this with RESPECT and EMPATHY, mindful of the EQUALITY of all.

 

 

MAIN PURPOSE OF JOB: To work as part of a team to provide residential support that empowers service users to achieve defined goals and develop skills that enable sustainable resettlement in the community. Your role encompasses a wide range of responsibilities aimed at ensuring the well-being, safety, and development of the people you work with. You will be responsible for implementing holistic support strategies that address the emotional, practical, and housing management needs of service users, whilst working in a psychologically informed way and ensuring that every contact counts.

 

The closing date for applications is Friday 18^th October 2024.  Successful applicants at the first stage of interview will be invited to progress to the second stage where you will attend a trial shift with our Housing Support Team.

Applicants will only be contacted if they are successful in securing an interview.

If you have any questions please contact the Assistant Housing Support Manager on 02920 465250

An enhanced DBS Disclosure is required for this post.

YMCA Cardiff is an equal opportunity employer dedicated to a policy of non-discrimination in employment on any basis including race, colour, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, marital status, or any other class protected by law.

 

 

Main duties 

1. To provide a wraparound, trauma informed support service that is consistent and person led, and to engage in non-institutional work practices whilst ensuring the safety and management of all alongside the building. Specific responsibilities: 

To be the first point of contact from referring agencies and to liaise with the Local Authority and allocate accommodation in line with the organisation’s eligibility criteria to maximise occupancy.

To carry out, review and document risk assessments in line with procedure. 

To carry out individual assessments to identify service users’ needs and hopes and to work alongside the service user to meet these by providing information, advice and guidance that enable service users to make informed decisions.  

You will also represent and advocate with/for service users when appropriate to do so in line with procedures. To make referrals to and liaise with relevant agencies and individuals with or on behalf of service users including, but not limited to housing, health, training, education and employment, welfare benefits, Social services, and criminal justice.

To keep up to date with changes to the benefit system legislations that may impact the organisation or service users to ensure the effective rent collection across all YMCA Cardiff projects and ensure timely completion of housing benefit claims and obtaining the necessary supporting documentation to assist with benefit verification

To support people to manage their finances and to maximise their income via welfare benefit checks, making new benefit applications (i.e. Housing benefit), support with budgeting, bills, rent payments and reducing any debts. 

To negotiate realistic payment agreements with service users taking into account financial circumstances and individual need

To promote, implement and ensure compliance with the licence agreement/contract and rights & responsibilities documents.

To respond to any conditions/responsibilities that are not met to ensure a safe and pleasant environment for all and to carry out full internal investigations if any incidents occur, as per procedure.

To actively ensure the security of the building including monitoring of CCTV systems and regular physical checks

To be certified in providing first aid and respond to any incidents as required.

To manage the nightly occupancy of service users, ensuring that any concerns or actions are communicated to the relevant department.

To encourage service user involvement in the development and operation of the service through facilitating consultation and participation.

To help organise and encourage activities and any creative projects which would be of interest.

 

Organisational duties to include:

To ensure that the Housing Support Grant outcomes framework is worked within and that monitoring forms are accurately and efficiently completed.

To take an active role in the review of the Licence Agreement and Rights and Responsibilities handbook and to ensure effective communication of any amendments to these documents to both service users and internal departments.

To take an active role (or leading role if Duty Worker) in the fire evacuation procedure if assigned a fire marshal responsibility when on shift or directed by the Duty Worker.

To assist in general administration duties including but not limiting to updating the bed list, maintenance of service user files, collection of statistical information, letter and report writing, photocopying, filing and updating computer and written records.

To operate the telephone switchboard in a professional manner ensuring all enquiries are dealt with, ensuring all messages are clearly recorded and promptly forwarded. T

o accurately complete the banking procedure. To ensure all paperwork, files and electronic files are accurate, relevant and up to date. To attend meetings, training and supervision as deemed appropriate by the Assistant Housing Support Manager.

To deal with complaints in accordance with agreed procedures.

To undertake research and maintain up to date information base.

To work constructively with other departments within the YMCA Cardiff Group

To assist with jobs that usually fall to another member of staff but in whose absence, failure to carry out the work would present a risk or offence to others or would be detrimental to the organisations’ service provision.

To adhere to and be aware of the Associations policies and procedures, including GDPR, code of conduct, Health & Safety and Equal Opportunities. To be able to respect the Christian ethos of the YMCA and uphold its values

  Person Specification - Job Title: Housing Support Officer

ESSENTIAL

 

DESIRABLE

 

EDUCATION

 

 

 

 

Educated to degree or diploma level and/or qualification in Housing

 

YES

Educated to NVQ  level 4

YES

 

KNOWLEDGE / EXPERIENCE

 

 

 

 

Understanding of the causes and effects of homelessness

YES

 

Experience of work with vulnerable adults and/or young people

YES

 

Knowledge and understanding of current homelessness issues, criminal justice system and benefit system.

 

YES

 

Working knowledge of social and general housing issues

 

YES

Ability to deal with/experience of managing conflict

YES

 

Experience of liaising with external agencies

YES

 

Experience of completing assessments and establishing levels of need

 

YES

Experience of advice work

 

YES

Knowledge of Housing/Mental Health issues

 

YES

Knowledge and understanding of housing management functions

 YES

 

Experience of planning and delivering support

 

YES

SKILLS

 

 

 

 

Excellent written / verbal communication skills

YES

 

Administrative and IT skills

YES

 

Good organisation and planning skills – Ability to manage time/Ability to manage own caseload

 

YES

 

Ability to develop plans and meet targets

YES

 

Ability to work effectively under pressure, and deal with crisis/difficult situations

YES

 

Ability to work alone and within a team

YES

 

Ability to make decisions

YES

 

Good negotiation skills

YES

 

Ability to work in a trauma informed way

YES

 

Evidenced understanding of trauma informed practice

 

YES

ATTITUDE

 

 

 

 

Professional approach to confidentiality, boundaries and anti-discriminatory practice

YES

 

Commitment to ensure effective service delivery to service users

YES

 

Positive attitude to difference and diversity

YES

 

Able to respect and demonstrate the Associations core values; Respect, Equality and Empathy in daily work.

YES

 

Flexible and able to adhere to a changeable shift pattern

YES

 

Reliable/Dependable

YES

 

Demonstrate a positive attitude to new challenges and a willingness to adapt quickly to change

YES

 

Commitment to personal development 

YES

 

OTHER

 

 

 

 

Able to respect and demonstrate the Associations core values; Respect, Equality and

 

Empathy in daily work

       YES

 

Ability to speak Welsh or any other language

 

YES

Able to respect the Christian ethos of the YMCA and uphold its values

YES

 

Full current driving licence and access to own transport

       

YES