JOBDESCRIPTION
Title: Housing Support Worker
Salary: £12.21per hour
Working Hours: 15 hours per week (on average)based on a rota of alternate weekend shifts of 12 hours one week and 18 hourssecond week. Due to the nature of the post evenings and Bank Holiday work maybe necessary.
Responsible to: Housing Services Manager
Location:YMCA BlackCountry Housing projects as agreed
Background:
YMCABlack Country Group (YMCA BCG) is the branch of the YMCA global movement in theBlack Country. YMCA BCG operates charitable companies & associatedtrading subsidiaries in the Black Country boroughs and South Staffordshirearea. The combined turnover of the group is in excess of £6M, delivering a widerange of community services including supported housing, youth work, childcareand family support, drug and alcohol counselling, skills and employmenttraining, health and well-being services. YMCA BCG employs over 200 staffand also works with around 50 volunteers and voluntary trustees.
Job role:
To support the Housing Services Manager to ensure the provision of high-quality day-to-day housingmanagement and tenancy sustainment functions of the YMCAs housing stock inBlack Country. This includes, but not exclusively, the letting, management,maintenance, administration, rent collection and provision of housing serviceson all allocated Black Country housing properties. In addition, monitoring andreviewing the progress of residents within the schemes using various tenancysustainment assessment tool, enabling them to Belong, Contribute and Thrive.
Duties:
Access to Housing & Tenancy Sustainment
1. To supportHousing and Support Officers with resident induction to the allocated BlackCountry housing property once an offer has been made to an applicant.
2. To coordinateor signpost any additional support a resident may require during their time atthe YMCA by liaising with internal and external agencies in relation tomaintaining their accommodation.
3. To promote theservices provided by YMCA Black Country Housing Services ensuring referralagencies and applicants have the appropriate information about the schemes.
4. To supportresidents to maintain their allocated property by teaching them how andencouraging them to keep their property clean.
5. Reporting anyproperty defects in a timely manner.
Housing Management Services
1. Respond tohousing enquiries and provide information and signposting to applicants as theyarise.
2. Ensure thatresidents are compliant with and kept fully informed and consulted on mattersaffecting their Licence Agreement/Tenancy and they understand their rights andresponsibilities.
3. Liaise withHousing Service Manager concerning breaches of the Licence Agreement/Tenancy atan early stage and help seek positive resolutions.
4. Make regularvisits to the residents in their property to ensure safety and security of theaccommodation and deliver and monitor management and support services.
5. Maintain information relevant to the client groupincluding information on issues and organisations relevant to the welfare ofvulnerable people.
6. Ensure incidents / issues arising are fully reportedand investigated and take action to resolve problem or take holding actionuntil a permanent solution is found.
Tenancy Sustainment andEngagement Support
1. Create a safe and welcoming environment for young people, buildingpositive relationships with them.
2. Deliver person centred support to residents living in our supportedhousing units enabling them to sustain their tenancy whilst working in a TraumaInformed way and deliver services that are culturally sensitive, safe services thatpeople trust and want to use.
3. Plan and deliver engaging needs led activities and programmes thatpromote personal growth and development.
4. Proactively engage residents in a range of 1-1 and group interventionsenabling them to address their needs and sustain their tenancy.
5. Support the implementation of workshops, group discussions, andrecreational activities aimed at promoting personal development and socialskills.
6. Ensure that all safeguarding concerns are recorded, and action takenwhere required.
Maintenance Tasks
1. Undertake regular visits to the housing propertiesincluding communal areas to inspect the accommodation and get resident feedbackto ensure that repairs and cleaning of the buildings are carried out promptlyto a high standard and that safety and security is maintained.
2. Support residents to raise repairs and maintenanceissues or do so on their behalf.
3. Support colleagues to maintain the general security ofthe buildings including the areas open to the public.
General
1. Ensure case studies and feedback forms are collatedafter sessions.
2. Utilise feedbackmechanisms to continuously adapt and enhance program delivery and content
3. Gather weekly participant numbers at sessions, worktowards meeting KPIs set by Housing Services Manager.
4. Ensure that all activities are safe and secure for allparticipants by completing risk assessments as appropriate.
5. Contribute to the review of paperwork, policies andprocedures and systems used within the housing services to improve services andensuring best practice.
6. Promote the aims and purposes of the YMCA.
7. Participate in Housing Staff meetings and otherhousing related meetings with residents and stakeholders as required.
8. To represent the association at agreed externalmeetings and report back to the Housing Services Manager.
9. To carry out any other reasonable duty as requested bythe Housing Services Manager or Head of Housing.
Person Specification
Jobrole: Housing Support Worker
Experience / Qualifications
Essential
Desirable
Current in-depth knowledge of housing issues and legislation, particularly pertaining to homelessness
Knowledge of the benefits and welfare system
Knowledge of external bodies associated with and or affiliated to supported housing or youth work
Experience of working in a supported housing or youth work environment with young people or vulnerable adults
Experience of completing reports, support plans, action plans, and tracking progression
Experience of delivering Trauma Informed Care
Excellent level of education (literacy, IT and numeracy)
Training relevant to supported housing or youth work and the client group
NVQ level 3 or equivalent in Housing or Support related field
Skills / Abilities
Essential
Desirable
Ability to demonstrate an empathetic and person-centred approach
Ability to demonstrate and understand the importance of effective team working
Ability to work with minimal or no supervision and to use initiative
Ability to multitask and prioritise using effective organisation and planning skills
Ability to solve problems
Ability to understand and represent service users rights and best interests whilst liaising with other professionals on the service users behalf
Ability to assess changes in service users needs, health, mood etc and alert others to any potential risks or safeguarding issues
Ability to build appropriate relationships with young people and vulnerable adults, listen actively and respond appropriately to service users needs
Ability to work with discretion, integrity and confidentially in a nonjudgmental way
Personal Attributes
Essential
Desirable
Can understand the needs of people from diverse cultural, social, and racial backgrounds.
Can build relationships based on trust and respect and maintain them.
Can work under pressure, be patient and remain calm in stressful situations.
Can set boundaries and challenge inappropriate behaviour.
Is caring, calm, compassionate and approachable.
Can provide appropriate guidance, support, and advice.
Is confident, assertive, enthusiastic, motivated, resilient, and committed.
Can inspire and motivate young people and vulnerable adults.
Is flexible and can adapt to change.
Other
Essential
Desirable
Ability to respect and communicate the YMCAs Christian ethos
Have a clean valid driving licence
THE POST HOLDER MUST AGREE TO AUTHORISE A FULL CRIMINAL RECORDS BUREAU CHECK.