Due to growth, the Home Improvement Team has a permanent position available for a part‑time Case Worker supporting Disabled Facilities Grants and the Sanctuary Scheme for victims/survivors of domestic abuse.
This role involves working directly with clients, often during challenging periods in their lives. You will be a consistent point of contact, building trusting and respectful relationships while taking a trauma‑informed approach to communication and decision‑making.
You will need strong organisational skills, as no two days are the same, and the ability to adapt your approach for a diverse range of clients and needs.
A full driving licence is required, as visits take place in clients’ homes.
You will work within a supportive, multidisciplinary team including Occupational Therapists, Assistant Practitioners and Surveyors, with access to guidance and regular supervision.
This is a part‑time post of 18 hours a week worked over a Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.
For an informal discussion about the post, please contact Julie Zipfel on 01603 989643.
Key Corporate Accountabilities
* To be the main point of contact between clients, contractors and professionals for each case.
* To carry out home visits to clients to identify their housing needs, to maintain regular and appropriate contact with clients during the delivery of a case and to record the case outcomes and client’s satisfaction on conclusion.
* In consultation with the occupational therapist and the home improvement technical officer, identify the most effective specification for each project having regard to the clients’ needs and cost.
* To effectively present option appraisals to colleagues and senior officers both verbally and in writing making clear recommendations for the most appropriate course of action.
* To support the home improvement team leader with the marketing and promotion of the home improvement team services.
* To work with and build close working relationships with all relevant local statutory and voluntary agencies.
* To assist clients to claim additional welfare benefits and allowances to improve income and to identify appropriate sources of charitable funding for goods and services that are not funded under the council’s financial assistance policy.
* To act as the main point of contact for tenants and landlords living in homes subject to works in default enforcement action, in particular:
o Providing information to tenants and landlords about the process.
o Explaining the legal process.
o Liaising with tenants to arrange access for officers and contractors.
* Liaising with the housing advice team in cases of harassment or illegal eviction arising from the enforcement action.
* Ensuring that the works are fully documented in case of legal challenge and to ensure that costs can be recovered.
* To take an active role in the improvement of performance and quality of services provided by the home improvement team.
* To take an active role in the development and delivery of home improvement services that generate an income for the council.
* To maintain accurate records and progress notes on the appropriate systems.
Key Service‑Related Accountabilities
* Liaising with the housing advice team in cases of harassment or illegal eviction arising from the enforcement action.
* Ensuring that the works are fully documented in case of legal challenge and to ensure that costs can be recovered.
* To take an active role in the improvement of performance and quality of services provided by the home improvement team.
* To take an active role in the development and delivery of home improvement services that generate an income for the council.
* To maintain accurate records and progress notes on the appropriate systems.
General Requirements
* All employees will be expected to be flexible in their duties and carry out any other duties commensurate with the grade and falling within the general scope of the job, as requested.
* Duties and responsibilities must be carried out in accordance with relevant Council policies and procedures, within legislation and any code of professional ethics of relevant professional body.
* All employees are expected to maintain a high standard of customer care in the context of the council’s core values, to uphold the Equality and Diversity Policy and health and safety standards and to participate in personal learning and development necessary to the post.
Responsibilities
Effectively manage housing adaptation, improvement and repair cases ensuring
* Compliance with relevant legislation.
* Successful identification and delivery of the client’s needs.
* Timely delivery of each case, minimising unnecessary delays and taking appropriate action to ensure that targets are met.
Value for money and delivery within the agreed project budget and financial assistance policy limits.
To be the main point of contact between clients, contractors and professionals for each case.
To carry out home visits to clients to identify their housing needs, to maintain regular and appropriate contact with clients during the delivery of a case and to record the case outcomes and client’s satisfaction on conclusion.
In consultation with the occupational therapist and the home improvement technical officer, identify the most effective specification for each project having regard to the clients’ needs and cost.
To effectively present option appraisals to colleagues and senior officers both verbally and in writing making clear recommendations for the most appropriate course of action.
To support the home improvement team leader with the marketing and promotion of the home improvement team services.
To work with and build close working relationships with all relevant local statutory and voluntary agencies.
To assist clients to claim additional welfare benefits and allowances to improve income and to identify appropriate sources of charitable funding for goods and services that are not funded under the council’s financial assistance policy.
To act as the main point of contact for tenants and landlords living in homes subject to works in default enforcement action, in particular:
* Providing information to tenants and landlords about the process.
* Explaining the legal process.
* Liaising with tenants to arrange access for officers and contractors.
* Liaising with the housing advice team in cases of harassment or illegal eviction arising from the enforcement action.
Ensuring that the works are fully documented in case of legal challenge and to ensure that costs can be recovered.
To take an active role in the improvement of performance and quality of services provided by the home improvement team.
To take an active role in the development and delivery of home improvement services that generate an income for the council.
To maintain accurate records and progress notes on the appropriate systems.
Skills Required
* The ability to communicate effectively and sensitively with clients who may experience difficulty in communication as a consequence of age, disability, mental health or due to the impact of trauma.
* Excellent communication skills, verbal, written and listening.
* The ability to assess problems, identify solutions and to sensitively communicate options to colleagues, contractors and vulnerable clients.
* The ability to prioritise and manage your own caseload and to manage the day‑to‑day activities.
* The ability to use Microsoft Office software including Microsoft Word and Outlook and other office software appropriate to the role (e.g. Uniform and Civica).
* The ability to travel to sites within the Norwich area.
* The ability to understand and communicate council policies and relevant housing legislation in relation to domestic abuse, disabled adaptations and poor housing conditions.
Other Requirements
* Ability to work in clients’ homes.
* Full UK driving licence.
Educational Requirements
* A minimum of 5 GCSEs, grade A‑C or equivalent or significant relevant work experience.
Why Work for Us
Our council is full of people who have chosen to work in local government because they want to help others and make a difference to their lives or the environment in which local people live.
Benefits
* All employees are eligible to join the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS).
* Paid holiday entitlement starts at 26 days per annum and increases with length of service to a maximum of 33 days per annum. This is pro rata for part‑time employees.
* In addition to the statutory public holidays, we grant an additional statutory day leave at Christmas.
* Norwich City Council supports its employees through the provision of occupational health and employee assistance support.
Equal Opportunities Policy
The council is committed to a policy of equality opportunity in employment, in recruitment and the services we provide. Applications are considered on the basis of their suitability for the post regardless of sex, gender reassignment, race, ethnic origin, disability, age, marital status, domestic responsibilities, sexual orientation or religious affiliation. People with disabilities are guaranteed an interview provided they are suitably qualified and/or experienced.
Candidates will be considered for shortlisting on the factual information on their application form. Therefore it is important to give as much detail as possible including information about experience gained outside employment.
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